[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H7885-H7886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SPECIALIST PETER J. NAVARRO POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 6169) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, 
Missouri, as the ``Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6169

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

     SECTION 1. SPECIALIST PETER J. NAVARRO POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, 
     Missouri, shall be known and designated as the ``Specialist 
     Peter J. Navarro 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 ``Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office 
     Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Akin) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam 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. Madam 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 
Missouri, in the consideration of H.R. 6169, which names a postal 
facility in Baldwin, Missouri, after a fallen hero, Specialist Peter J. 
Navarro.
  Introduced on June 3, 2008, H.R. 6169 is sponsored by Congressman 
Todd Akin, representative of Missouri's Second Congressional District, 
and co-sponsored by Missouri's entire congressional delegation and a 
total of eight Members of Congress. H.R. 6169 was reported from the 
Oversight Committee on July 16, 2008 by a voice vote.
  Upon graduating from Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Missouri, 
Specialist Peter J. Navarro was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion 
and served in that capacity as an outstanding member of his regiment. 
While conducting combat operations, an improvised explosion device was 
detonated near his Humvee, killing the 20-year-old.
  His mother had asked him not to return to Iraq, but being the 
dedicated soldier that he was, Specialist Navarro returned because he 
believed in the mission. Described as a strong willed and caring young 
man, Specialist Peter J. Navarro served his country in Iraq with pride 
and distinction. In honor of this sacrifice, Mr. Speaker, let us also 
pay tribute to the life of Specialist Navarro and pass H.R. 6169 and 
designate the Manchester Road Post Office Building in Baldwin, 
Missouri, after this fine and outstanding American soldier.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6169, a bill I 
introduced to honor the life of Peter J. Navarro by designating the 
post office in Baldwin, Missouri, as the ``Specialist Peter J. Navarro 
Post Office Building.''
  A resident of Wildwood, Missouri, Specialist Peter Navarro was part 
of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat 
Team, 1st Armored Division. On December 13, 2005, Specialist Navarro 
was one of four soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated near 
their Humvee during combat operations in Taji, Iraq.
  A graduate of Lafayette High School, Peter declined his acceptance at 
Truman State University so he could join the Army right after 
graduation.
  When Peter returned home for his younger brother's funeral, he was 
faced with the undeniable risks of serving his country; however, he 
returned to Iraq, telling friends and family ``they need me there.'' 
Peter was a dedicated soldier willing to give the ultimate sacrifice to 
protect his country and the men and women who reside there.
  As Peter's father, Jose Navarro, said, ``He cared for the soldiers he 
worked with. He would do anything for his friends. And he told me he 
believed in the mission that he was involved in.''
  As a father of two marines, one of whom has served in Iraq, it is a 
privilege to stand here today to honor one of our fallen soldiers. 
Peter's commitment and dedication to his country is a shining example 
of how our military men and women are the finest our Nation has to 
offer.
  His and his family's sacrifice should serve as a reminder to all that 
the freedom we enjoy as Americans is not free, but the result of the 
tremendous bravery and selfless service of men and women willing to put 
themselves in harm's way for freedom's cause.
  Our Nation will be forever indebted to Specialist Peter Navarro. Mr. 
Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring Peter by 
voting ``yes'' on H.R. 6169.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to join with 
Representative Akin. And we would urge passage of this legislation in 
honor of an outstanding American soldier.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Salazar). 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. 6169.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.

[[Page H7886]]

  Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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