[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 29, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H2827-H2828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CORPORAL BRADLEY T. ARMS POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5631) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1155 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville, Virginia, as
the ``Corporal Bradley T. Arms Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5631
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CORPORAL BRADLEY T. ARMS POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1155 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville,
Virginia, shall be known and designated as the ``Corporal
Bradley T. Arms 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 ``Corporal Bradley T. Arms Post Office
Building''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.
General Leave
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
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 Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues from
the Commonwealth of Virginia in consideration of H.R. 5631, which names
a postal facility in Charlottesville, Virginia, after Corporal Bradley
T. Arms, a distinguished and heroic American serviceman.
H.R. 5631 was introduced by Representative Goode of Virginia on March
13, 2008, and was considered by and reported from the Oversight
Committee on April 9 by a voice vote. The measure has the support of
the entire congressional delegation from Virginia, and provides us with
another opportunity to pay tribute to a member of our country's Armed
Forces.
A 20-year-old University of Georgia student from Charlottesville,
Virginia, Corporal Bradley T. Arms was assigned to the 4th Combat
Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Corps Reserve, out of
Baltimore, Maryland.
{time} 1615
Corporal Arms left college the summer before his junior year to
enlist in the United States Marine Corps where he would later serve a
tour of duty in Iraq until his tragic death on November 19, 2004.
Corporal Arms was killed in action in the Anbar province of Iraq.
Mr. Speaker, let's remember and pay tribute to the ultimate sacrifice
made by Corporal Arms and pass H.R. 5631.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill to designate the
post office located at 1155 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville,
Virginia, as the ``Corporal Bradley T. Arms Post Office Building.''
On November 19, 2004, Corporal Bradley Arms was killed during small-
arms fire in Anbar province, Iraq. It is only appropriate that we honor
this fallen hero for the great sacrifice he made for his country.
Before becoming a Marine, Bradley was a student at the University of
Georgia and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. When he left
Georgia before his junior year to serve in the 4th Division of the 4th
Combat Engineer Battalion, it was with courage and optimism in his
heart. He believed in what he was fighting for, and he wrote to his
brothers of the changes he saw every day. He described his desire to
influence the future of Iraq telling his friends that, ``as long as we
can keep younger generations open minded, then we will win this war.''
His family members, who reside in Charlottesville, Virginia, remember
Bradley's kindness and desire to help those who could not help
themselves, one of the factors initially inspiring him to join the
military.
When speaking to his parents shortly before his death, he told them
he was confident that God had a plan for him and that he was exactly
where he was supposed to be. While he was only 20 years old, Bradley
aspired to live the life of a leader and be a positive role model for
those around him, and he did just that.
Those who knew Bradley recall his honor and enthusiasm, and in
recognition of the unparalleled sacrifice he made for his country, it
is fitting that we should dedicate this post office to his memory.
I would like to thank my respected colleague, Mr. Goode, for
introducing this important legislation honoring the memory of a valiant
and courageous young man.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all of our colleagues
join us in paying respect, appreciation, and gratitude to the life and
the service of Corporal Bradley Arms by joining us in approving this
resolution which honors his name by naming a United States post office
facility after him in recognition of his sacrifice.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Ohio for his
eloquent words, and I, too, urge all Members to support the passage of
H.R. 5631.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from North
Carolina.
Mr. GOODE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5631, a bill
I introduced to designate the Charlottesville Post Office as the
``Corporal Bradley Arms Post Office Building'' in honor of a young man
from the 5th District of Virginia who made the ultimate sacrifice in
defending the United States of America.
Marine Corporal Bradley Arms died in combat at the age of 20 in the
Anbar Province of Iraq on November 19, 2004 in service to his country.
Originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, ``Brad'' attended the
University of Georgia until he was called into service with the Marine
Corps Reserve.
Friends and family described Brad as a friendly, caring, optimistic,
patriotic and purposeful person. The three personal items he brought to
Iraq appropriately illustrate his personality: a Bible, a picture of
his family, and a University of Georgia flag. Brad was also a member of
the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at the University of Georgia. Family
members recalled that Brad greatly enjoyed his fraternity brothers,
friends, music, and faith in God.
While in Iraq, Brad often wrote to friends and family, displaying his
positive attitude toward his mission in the military and demonstrating
how proud he was to serve and defend his country. He said that his
experiences in the military, ``strengthened his resolve to live the
life of a balanced man and lead by example.''
Connor Rund, a young man who attends the same high school that
Corporal Arms graduated from, contacted me suggesting that the
Charlottesville Post Office be dedicated in Brad's honor. Since then, I
have received several communications from members of the
Charlottesville community in support of this tribute to Brad.
Please join me in honoring the memory of this young man who was a
great son, friend, and patriot by supporting H.R. 5631 and renaming the
Charlottesville Post Office as the ``Corporal Bradley T. Arms Post
Office Building.''
[[Page H2828]]
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 5631.
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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