[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H840-H841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PRIVATE JOHNATHON MILLICAN LULA POST OFFICE
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 3532) to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 5815 McLeod Street in Lula, Georgia, as the
``Private Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3532
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PRIVATE JOHNATHON MILLICAN LULA POST OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 5815 McLeod Street in Lula, Georgia, shall
be known and designated as the ``Private Johnathon Millican
Lula Post Office''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Private Johnathon Millican Lula Post
Office''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield) and the gentleman from Connecticut
(Mr. Shays) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.
General Leave
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from North Carolina?
There was no objection.
{time} 1615
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to join my colleagues today
in the consideration of H.R. 3532 which seeks to name a postal facility
in Lula, Georgia, after Private Johnathon Millican, a distinguished and
heroic American serviceman.
H.R. 3532, which was introduced by Representative Deal of Georgia,
was introduced on September 14, 2007, and was considered and reported
by the Oversight Committee on January 29, 2008, by a voice vote.
This measure has the support of the entire congressional delegation
from the State of Georgia and provides us with yet another opportunity
to pay tribute to a member of our country's armed service.
Johnathon Millican served his country proudly as a member of an
airborne artillery brigade based out of Fort Richardson in Anchorage,
Alaska, where I was a few weeks ago, and it is very cold out there, Mr.
Speaker.
Private Millican gave his life in his service to our country when, on
January 20, 2007, his unit was attacked by enemy insurgents in Karbala,
Iraq. While Private Millican was only 20 years old when he lost his
life in the line of duty, his service and faithful commitment to
preserving the liberties and freedoms on which our Nation is built are
sure to live on forever.
Mr. Speaker, let's remember and pay tribute to the ultimate sacrifice
made by Private Millican. I urge the swift passage of this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, a mere 20 years old, Private First Class
Johnathon Millican of Trafford, Alabama, displayed wisdom beyond his
years when he once said, ``You don't have to love the war, but you have
to love the warrior.''
It is an honor for me to speak today about Private Millican, a true
American hero who epitomizes bravery and loyalty to his country and
fellow comrades.
Soon after graduating high school in 2005, Johnathon Millican
enlisted into the Army and was assigned to the 377th Parachute Field
Artillery Regiment from Fort Richardson, Alaska. In Karbala, Iraq, on
January 20, 2007, Private Millican was off duty in a communications
room talking with his wife, Shannon, when an attack started. The
attackers fired several rounds and a grenade into the room, and
tragically, he and four fellow officers lost their lives. Private
Millican had been in Iraq for just 3 months.
Family and friends will forever remember Johnathon Millican's
dedication to the cause of freedom and his commitment to bringing that
cherished freedom to the people around the world where he served. It is
with gratitude for his bravery and sacrifice and for the sacrifice of
those who loved him that I ask all Members to join me in naming the
Lula, Georgia, postal facility located on McLeod Street in his honor.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I don't have any additional speakers. I
will reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, at this time it is my privilege to recognize
the very distinguished Member from Georgia (Mr. Deal) for as much time
as he would consume.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of
Army Private First Class Johnathon Miles Millican, dedicating the
United States Post Office located in Lula, Georgia, as the ``Private
Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office.''
Twenty-year-old Private First Class Johnathon Millican, a Hall
County, Georgia, native, was killed by insurgents in Iraq while
conducting a dismounted operation in Karbala on January 20, 2007.
Private First Class Millican was off duty in a communications room
talking with his wife when the attackers fired several rounds into the
room with an AK-47 and one of them tossed in a concussion grenade.
Courageously, he covered the grenade with his body, attempting to
protect his comrades from the enemy intrusion. Private First Class
Johnathon Millican was later awarded the Silver Star Medal of Honor for
his courage, valor, and dedication for his fellow soldiers.
Johnathon Millican had attended Lula Elementary, East Hall Middle
School, and East Hall High school in my home County of Hall. While in
high school, Johnathon was active in the community, working the
concessions stand at the community ballpark and coaching a 5-year-old
T-Ball team. After graduating from high school in 2005, he moved to
Locust Grove, Alabama, before enlisting in the Army. Johnathon was a
member of the 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment from Fort
Richardson, Alaska. Johnathon Millican left behind his wife, Shannon;
his parents, Mitchell and Angie Millican; and Mary and Ronald Lykins
and sisters, Amber'le, Ashley, and Amanda.
Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to rise today to pay tribute to this
courageous young man and to join my constituents
[[Page H841]]
of Lula, Georgia, in naming the ``Private Johnathon Millican Post
Office.'' This honor will serve as a lasting reminder of the true
recognition that is deserving of a fallen hometown hero who sacrificed
his life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a copy of the letter from Mr.
Milton Turner, the Mayor of the City of Lula, requesting that this post
office be named the ``Private Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office.''
City of Lula,
Lula, GA, August 20, 2007.
Subject: Consideration of Honorarium for PFC Johnathon
Millican.
Congressman Nathan Deal,
Wachovia Center, Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville, GA.
Dear Congressman Deal: This letter represents the request
of the City of Lula to recognize and honor the sacrifice and
contributions made by a local young man, a fallen hero,
Private First Class Johnathon Millican with the recognition
and honor of his service and dedication to his country the
naming of the Lula Post Office located on McLoud Street. Our
20-year-old young hero (a Hall County Native), was killed by
insurgents in Iraq on Jan. 20, he had covered an enemy
concussion grenade with his body attempting to protect his
comrades from the enemy intrusion and was one of five U.S.
soldiers killed during the attack in Karbala.
Johnathon had attended Lula Elementary and East Hall Middle
School and High School only recently moving to Locust Grove
Alabama before enlisting in the Army. Millican was a member
of the 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment from Fort
Richardson, Alaska.
PFC Millican was off duty in a communications room
exchanging e-mails with his wife when the Jan. 20 attack
started. The attackers fired several rounds into the room
with an AK47 and one of them tossed in a grenade. In an
earlier interview, Mitchell Millican told The Birmingham News
his son was on one knee facing the door ``ready to shoot'' at
that point and ``He could just as easily have jumped behind a
desk or ducked down or whatever, but he chose to cover the
grenade'' Mitchell Millican said ``and, to me, that shows
character''.
We know of your commitment to our service men and woman and
know how moved you were at his loss; this honor would help to
establish the true recognition deserving of a fallen hero.
Also we would encourage your efforts to move forward the
campaign to have the pentagon award PFC J. Millican with the
``Medal of Honor'' a process which we realize could take
months or even years.
Further we hope to have the opportunity in the near future
to honor Jonathon's heroics here in Hall County and depending
on your guidance will await some possible timetable for
suggested dedication. Please advise the city of your schedule
allowing your attendance and participation.
Best regards,
Mayor Milton Turner.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to express my full support
for H.R. 3532, naming the Federal post office in Lula, Georgia, in
honor of PFC Johnathon Millican. It is a fitting tribute to a brave
solider.
This recognition from the community where Johnathon spent his boyhood
comes in addition to the inspiring ceremony held last July 28 at Locust
Fork High School in Alabama, where Johnathon received his diploma. It
was my great privilege to participate in the ceremony, in which
Johnathon's wife and father were presented with his posthumous Silver
Star award.
Johnathon's actions during the raid on Karbala on January 20, 2007
are the embodiment of the scriptural passage that says there is no
greater love for a man than to lay down his life for his friends. His
valor saved the lives of his fellow soldiers, and he died defending
freedom.
At this time, allow me to introduce the remarks I made during the
ceremony into the Record.
The actions of Johnathon Millican embody the same
scriptural passage that we've heard at funerals of many of
our veterans. It is: Greater love has no man than this, that
one lay down his life for his friends.
Johnathon's life was short, but his legacy will stand.
His father shared with me a conversation he had with
Johnathon just before he graduated here. Many of Johnathon's
classmates were planning for college. Others had lined up a
job. Still others were talking about how they were going to
spend their summers, the things they were going to do.
Johnathon had already made another decision. He was going
to enlist in the Army. The call to duty to serve his country
was strong in the aftermath of 9/11.
Johnathon knew there would be personal sacrifices involved.
He knew the fight would not be easy. In fact, his father
reminded him that it could be dangerous. Johnathon accepted
that. But Johnathon believed in the mission. From Iraq, he
posted an observation on the Internet which I wish everyone
in this country would observe.
The quote is, ``You don't have to love the war but you have
to love the warrior.''
One definition of warrior is ``someone notable strength of
spirit.''
Johnathon resoundingly demonstrated those qualities this
past January 20th, when insurgents broke into the government
compound in Karbala.
I think it is Johnathon's valor and our concern for all our
young men and women in the field that brings us together. The
Silver Star Award has given each and every one of us an
opportunity to thank Johnathon and his family in a tangible
way for his service and his courage. I very much appreciate
each and every one of you who have come out this morning to
show your love, your compassion, and your gratitude to
Johnathon and his family.
It's a struggle to find the right words at a time like
this. I think it's best to go to the soldiers in the field.
Let me read from the email sent to me this week from Iraq by
Captain Tom Morris, who was Johnathon's commanding officer.
``As a commander of troops in combat, losing your soldiers
is harder than losing family members. Speaking at Johnathon's
memorial service was the hardest thing I ever had to do.
``It brings me great pleasure to know that he is being
awarded the Silver Star and that there will be a memorial at
his high school in his honor. I believe the most important
thing to do is to tell his story to those who do not know it,
especially those who attend his school.
``I will always remember him, especially his deep southern
accent and that he was a country boy who was the toughest
there was and that nothing really bothered him. I can only
hope that I can be as strong, both mentally and physically,
as he was.
``He will be missed, but never forgotten. He was my
soldier, friend, and fellow paratrooper.''
``Hero'' is an overused word these days. It's used to
describe a TV actor or football player. There is a difference
between fame and worthy accomplishment.
The reason we need to tell Johnathon's story is so people,
especially our young men and women and boys and girls, do
understand the difference between celebrity and heroism. The
students who go past the memorial here at Locust Fork High
School will know that a real hero walked their halls.
To conclude, a passage from Corinthians (16:13) is
appropriate for Johnathon and all of the soldiers who protect
us. It reads:
``Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of
courage, be strong.''
These words apply perfectly to Johnathon, and why he is
deserving of the Silver Star being presented to his family
today.
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I don't have any additional speakers. I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SHAYS. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3532.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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