[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 33 (Thursday, February 28, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1161-H1162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SGT. JASON HARKINS POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3936) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 116 Helen Highway in Cleveland, 
Georgia, as the ``Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3936

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SGT. JASON HARKINS POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 116 Helen Highway in Cleveland, Georgia, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Sgt. Jason Harkins 
     Post Office Building''.
       (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 ``Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office 
     Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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 Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues, particularly the gentleman 
from Georgia, in the consideration of H.R. 3936, which names a postal 
facility in Cleveland, Georgia, after a fallen hero, Sergeant Jason 
Harkins.
  Introduced on October 23, 2007, H.R. 3936 is sponsored by Congressman 
Nathan Deal, the Representative from Georgia's Ninth Congressional 
District and cosponsored by the entire Georgia delegation. Mr. Deal's 
measure, H.R. 3936, was reported from the Oversight Committee on 
January 29, 2008, by voice vote.
  This morning's postal-naming bill honoring Sergeant Jason Harkins 
brings to light the special story of a staunch soldier who, along with 
five of his comrades from the Army's 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division 
out of Fort Lewis, Washington, were tragically killed while serving our 
country nobly in the Baqubah region of Iraq. Sadly, none of the six 
soldiers killed in one of the deadliest attacks on the Fort Lewis unit 
lived to see his 30th birthday. Yet, as soldiers, Sergeant Jason 
Harkins and his fellow servicemen, all of whom had entered active duty 
service within only the past 6 years, bravely placed their lives on the 
front line in allegiance and service to this great country of ours.
  At the heart of this story is the subject of H.R. 3936, Sergeant 
Jason R. Harkins. Sergeant Harkins was only 25 years old and serving 
his second tour of duty in Iraq when he succumbed to wounds sustained 
from an improvised explosive device that detonated near his vehicle 
during combat operations.
  A native of the northern Georgia town of Clarksville, Sergeant 
Harkins attended and graduated from the State's public school system 
before enlisting in the Army Reserve in 1999 and later volunteering for 
active duty service in December of 2002.
  Described as a true God-fearing country boy, Sergeant Harkins proudly 
served over 3 years in the U.S. Army Reserves and is a recipient of the 
Bronze Star of Valor and the Purple Heart.
  In addition to these honors, Mr. Speaker, let us also pay tribute to 
the life of Sergeant Harkins and pass H.R. 3936 and designate the Helen 
Highway Post Office Building in Cleveland, Georgia, in his honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my 
distinguished colleague from the State of Georgia (Mr. Deal).
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. I thank the gentlelady for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I have the honor today to rise in support of the memory 
of Army Sergeant Jason Robert Harkins by dedicating the United States 
Post Office located in Cleveland, Georgia, as the Sgt. Jason Harkins 
Post Office Building.
  I want to thank Mr. Davis and the committee for bringing this bill to 
the floor. It is, indeed, a sad but true honor to be able to recognize 
Sergeant Harkins. He was a member of the United States Army 5th 
Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division 
of Fort Lewis, Washington.
  While serving his second tour of duty in Iraq, 25-year-old Sergeant 
Harkins was killed by a roadside bomb along with five other members of 
his platoon during combat operations in Baqubah, Iraq. For his valiant 
service to our country, Sergeant Harkins' family was presented the 
Bronze Star award and the Purple Heart.
  Born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Sergeant Harkins was a 1999 graduate 
of Habersham Central High School in Georgia, served 3 years in the 
United States Army Reserves and was currently serving with the Stryker 
Brigade located at Fort Lewis when the attack occurred.
  Sergeant Jason Harkins is survived by his wife, Emily Renee Cook 
Harkins of Tacoma, Washington, formerly of Gadsden, Alabama; mother and 
stepfather, Nancy and Allen Fritchey; father and stepmother, Bobby and 
April Harkins; brothers Matthew and Daniel Harkins; as well as 
stepsisters Katie, Clara, Nicole, Jennifer and Emily; stepbrother 
Scott; and several nieces and nephews.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to pay tribute to Sergeant 
Harkins and to join my constituents of Cleveland, Georgia, in naming 
the Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Building. This honor will serve as a 
lasting reminder of his courage, valor, and the ultimate sacrifice 
which he paid for our country.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to include for the Record a 
copy of a letter from Mayor Donald Stanley of the City of Cleveland, as 
well as a letter from the White County Board of Commissioners 
requesting and supporting this designation.

[[Page H1162]]

                                           Board of Commissioners,


                                        White County, Georgia,

                                Cleveland, GA, September 26, 2007.
     Hon. Nathan Deal,
     Ninth District Representative,
     Gainesville, GA.
       Dear Congressman Deal: As you are aware, recently our 
     community suffered a tremendous loss. Sgt. Jason Harkins lost 
     his life at 25 years of age by a roadside bomb while serving 
     in Iraq. Weeks before his death, Sgt. Harkins went into a 
     danger zone and saved the life of one of his soldiers. A 
     bullet actually struck him in his helmet during the rescue. 
     For this act of valor, his family was presented the Bronze 
     Star Award and Purple Heart.
       Jason gave the ultimate price for our community and nation. 
     As a memorial to him, we support the Postmaster Louise S. 
     Nix's request to pursue the act of having our postal facility 
     in Cleveland renamed the Jason Harkins Postal Facility. As we 
     understand it, this would in no way change the addresses of 
     residents, but would show respect and memorialize a White 
     County native who died for his country.
       We would appreciate any assistance you could give to this 
     action.
           Sincerely,
     Chris R. Nonnemaker,
       Chairman.
     Joe Campbell,
       Post 1.
     Craig Bryant,
       Post 2.
                                  ____



                                            City of Cleveland,

                                   Cleveland, GA, October 9, 2007.
     Hon. Nathan Deal,
     Ninth District Representative,
     Gainesville, GA.
       Dear Congressman Deal: As you are aware, recently our 
     community suffered a tremendous loss. Sgt Jason Harkins lost 
     his life while serving in Iraq, by a roadside bomb. Weeks 
     before his death, Sgt Harkins went into a danger zone and 
     saved the life of one of his soldiers. He actually was struck 
     by a bullet in his helmet during the rescue. For this act of 
     valor, his family was presented the Bronze Star Award and 
     Purple Heart.
       Jason gave the ultimate price for our community and nation. 
     As a memorial to him, the City of Cleveland would like to ask 
     you to pursue the act of having our postal facility in 
     Cleveland renamed the Jason Harkins Postal Facility, 
     understanding this would in no way change the addresses of 
     residents but would show respect and memorialize a White 
     County native who died for his country. Renaming a postal 
     facility is a fairly common practice for military personnel 
     who have lost their lives. The post office facility in most 
     towns is the only federal building.
       Jason entered into service on December 16, 2002. He was 
     killed in action on May 6, 2007. Jason was 25 years old.
       Jason attended White County Schools, Cleveland was his 
     address of record, both Jason's mother, Nancy Fritchey, and 
     father, Bobby Harkins, are residents of Cleveland and White 
     County with roots going very deep and strong.
       I would appreciate any assistance you could give to this 
     action. If you have any questions, please feel free to 
     contact me.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Donald Stanley,
                                                            Mayor.

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky on September 
29, 1981, SGT Jason Harkins was a 1999 graduate of Habersham Central 
High School. His commitment to military service began at an early age. 
When he was a young boy, he used to run around with toy guns and swords 
practicing to become the Army man his father was.
  Sergeant Campbell served three years in the U.S. Army Reserve and was 
currently serving with the Striker Brigade, Second Infantry Division 
based out of Fort Lewis, Washington. He never wanted to be called a 
hero because he believed he was just an ordinary person doing 
extraordinary things. Campbell however, was a hero. He proved he was a 
hero when he survived a roadside bomb during his first tour in Iraq. He 
proved he was a hero when he rescued a wounded soldier while they were 
under fire during his second tour.
  And sadly, he proved he was a hero on May 6, 2007, when he and five 
other men in his platoon were killed when a makeshift bomb exploded 
near their vehicle. Sergeant Harkins was only 25 years old.
  His decorations include the Bronze Star of valor and the Purple 
Heart.
  Sergeant Harkins leaves behind a large family and a wife who will 
always remember him as a ``true country boy'' who found the best in 
every situation and could always make those around him smile.
  Let us pay our respects to Sergeant Jason Harkins and remember his 
commitment to serving this Nation by naming the post office located at 
116 Helen Highway in Fort Lewis, Washington, in his honor.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge 
my colleagues to vote for this bill.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3936.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________