[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 33 (Thursday, February 28, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1163-H1164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN FALLEN MILITARY HEROES OF LOUISVILLE MEMORIAL POST
OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 4454) to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 3050 Hunsinger Lane in Louisville,
Kentucky, as the ``Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes of
Louisville Memorial Post Office Building'', in honor of the service men
and women from Louisville, Kentucky, who died in service during
Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4454
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN FALLEN MILITARY HEROES OF
LOUISVILLE MEMORIAL POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 3050 Hunsinger Lane in Louisville,
Kentucky, shall be known and designated as the ``Iraq and
Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes of Louisville Memorial
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 ``Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Military
Heroes of Louisville Memorial 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, now I would like to yield such
time as he might consume to the sponsor of this legislation,
Representative John Yarmuth from Kentucky.
Mr. YARMUTH. I thank my colleague.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the eight American heroes from
Louisville, Kentucky, who were taken from us in the prime of their
lives these last 5 years.
While they did not serve together, they all shared a special bond of
selfless dedication, love of country, and
[[Page H1164]]
immeasurable courage. Those noble qualities did not originate when they
volunteered to serve in the Armed Forces, but their time serving
greatly enhanced and magnified those attributes. In his service, each
man proved the valor time and time again, readily meeting every
challenge that confronted him with loyalty and devotion. Tragically,
and long before we were ready to say good-bye, these brave souls made
the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for the United States of America,
seven in Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in Afghanistan in Operation
Enduring Freedom.
Still, for all they shared, these men were also characterized by a
wonderful individuality: an incredible athlete and officer, a great dad
who would have been a great coach, a third generation warrior called to
heaven before he could answer another call to preach the Word of God, a
peacekeeper in Bosnia who wanted to come home to Louisville and
continue to keep the peace in his hometown, an EMS worker known for
empathy, an unflappable National Guardsman, a decorated military
officer, and a poet and performer who could light up the stage and
brighten your day.
Some of these men were known for their sense of humor, others by a
sense of purpose, and with each of them, their fellow servicemembers
knew they could be depended upon in the most dire circumstances. The
men we honor today saved lives, and every one of them is an American
hero.
Some of them spent a short time in the military; others spent half
their lives in the service. And all gave their lives for this country,
for our history, for our citizens, and most of all, for our future.
We are, each one of us, poorer for their loss but infinitely richer
for the time they spent on this planet and the contributions that they
made to our community and this Nation.
For the families who lost a son, a husband, a father, and for the
many who lost a good friend, this is a wound that time can never fully
heal. The grief we all share for their loss is not fleeting and demands
a memorial of equal permanence. In recognition of these great heroes, I
am proposing legislation to rename the Hikes Point Post Office the Iraq
and Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes of Louisville Memorial Post
Office in my congressional district, the Third District of Kentucky.
As our friends, neighbors, and I conduct our daily business in our
community, this building will stand in testament for the tremendous
sacrifice made by eight brave Louisvillians. When their families see
the memorial, I hope they are reminded they are not alone in their
grief, not alone in their appreciation for the deeds of these men, and
not alone in the celebration of the lives of eight extraordinary
individuals who gave us everything they had in their short time on
Earth.
Sergeant Michael Acklin II, Captain Clayton Lee Adamkavicius, Lance
Corporal Robert Lynch, Sergeant Darrin K. Potter, Sergeant First Class
Christopher Phelps, Staff Sergeant George S. Rentschler, Petty Officer
Third Class Jeffrey L. Wiener, and Sergeant David Neil Wimberg.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in offering these
men this honor which will have the same permanence as their positive
impact on our country, by renaming the Hikes Point Post Office the Iraq
and Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes of Louisville Memorial Post
Office.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
I rise today to urge passage of this bill designating the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 3050 Hunsinger Lane in
Louisville, Kentucky, as the ``Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Military
Heroes of Louisville Memorial Post Office Building.''
{time} 1100
In the wake of the attacks of September 11, the United States struck
back against those forces that wished to destroy not only this Nation,
but all people that do not agree with their limited views on freedom,
justice, and democracy. Every day across this great Nation, men and
women answer the call to duty to combat these forces. Many have paid
the ultimate price. Others have been wounded. But their sacrifice came
so others may live safe and free. For that, we are eternally grateful.
Since the beginning of this conflict, eight heroic servicepeople from
Louisville, Kentucky, have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. We
honor their sacrifice with this postal designation. This also serves to
honor those who may lose their lives in service to our country in the
future.
These brave citizens of Louisville, like so many other Americans,
lost their lives protecting us from those people who fight against the
rights and privileges that we as Americans enjoy. I urge that we pass
this bill so that their memory and sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, I join Representative John Yarmuth and his fellow colleagues
from the Bluegrass State of Kentucky in considering H.R. 4454, which
renames the postal facility at 3050 Hunsinger Lane in Louisville,
Kentucky, as the Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes of
Louisville Memorial Post Office Building.
As stated in the measure at hand, it was first introduced by
Congressman John Yarmuth on December 11, 2007, and is cosponsored by
all members of the Kentucky congressional delegation. The measure was
referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where it
was considered and passed by voice vote on January 29, 2008.
H.R. 4454 is intended to remember the lives, service, and legacy of
dozens of military men and women from the Louisville, Kentucky, area,
who died in service during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation
Iraqi Freedom. By renaming this particular Louisville, Kentucky, post
office, H.R. 4454 would set into motion the creation of a living
tribute to the sacrifices made by so many of Kentucky's sons and
daughters who gave their lives abroad in order to ensure our protection
here in the homeland, an honor befitting the thousands of military men
and women, past and present, from every State of the Union, that have
unselfishly given themselves in service and battle for America.
H.R. 4454 will help to memorialize for generations to come the memory
of Louisville, Kentucky's fallen loved ones.
So, Mr. Speaker, I ask that we too pay tribute to the sacrifices made
by these great American heroes and sheroes and pass H.R. 4454.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of
H.R. 4454, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time. I would urge passage of this legislation, and 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. 4454.
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.
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