[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H8328-H8329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ARMY SPC DANIEL AGAMI POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 6338) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 4233 West Hillsboro Boulevard in 
Coconut Creek, Florida, as the ``Army SPC Daniel Agami Post Office 
Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6338

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

     SECTION 1. ARMY SPC DANIEL AGAMI POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 4233 West Hillsboro Boulevard in Coconut 
     Creek, Florida, shall be known and designated as the ``Army 
     SPC Daniel Agami 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 ``Army SPC Daniel Agami 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 such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Klein), who introduced this 
legislation.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman.
  I rise in support of H.R. 6338, a bill to honor the life and legacy 
of Specialist Daniel J. Agami, who was killed in action on June 21, 
2007, while serving his country in Iraq.
  Daniel Agami was a devoted friend, a loving son and brother and 
courageous soldier. Growing up in South Florida, Daniel's parents 
raised him with strong Jewish values, and he was very proud of his 
Jewish heritage. To his friends, and he got quite a kick out of it, he 
was known as ``GI Jew.'' A little different.
  Daniel knew he was meant to serve a greater purpose in life, and in 
2005 his love for country and an unyielding drive to serve others led 
him to enlist in the United States Army. For his heroism in combat, 
Daniel was posthumously presented with multiple medals of honor, 
including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, 
the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, 
and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
  During his service in the U.S. Army, Daniel worked with local 
schools, devastated from war and destruction, to refurbish their 
structures and mentor their students.
  The communities he served in Iraq and here at home have suffered a 
tremendous loss. Daniel made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, 
and it is with great pride that I rise in support of this legislation 
to recognize his strong moral character and his work to make this world 
a better place.
  It is my sincere hope that when the South Florida community utilizes 
the services of the post office in Coconut Creek, Florida, they will 
remember and honor Army Specialist Daniel Agami and his exceptional 
patriotism and courage.
  I would like to also thank the members of the Florida congressional 
delegation for their strong support of this legislation. I would also 
like to recognize the Agami family: Parents, Beth and Itzhak; brother, 
Ilan and his wife, Elisha; sister, Shaina; and grandmother, Sandy 
Becker. The Agami family will be in Washington D.C. later this week 
where they will celebrate and honor Daniel's life and memory.
  I urge passage of this piece of legislation.
  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 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4233 West 
Hillsboro Boulevard Coconut Creek, Florida, as the Army SPC Daniel 
Agami Post Office Building.

                              {time}  1430

  United States Army Specialist Daniel J. Agami was, in the words of 
his grandmother, ``the best of the best.'' He was much more than a 
soldier. He was a leader, a selfless patriot, and a joyous young man 
with a huge heart.
  Born in Ohio, Daniel moved with his family to south Florida when he 
was 4. He attended the Hebrew Academy Community School and Coconut 
Creek High School and was in college when he decided he was meant for a 
higher purpose. Without consulting friends or family, Daniel answered 
his calling and enlisted in the Army.
  Daniel brought the Army more than service and bravery. He brought his 
good humor, his tremendous heart and the moral conviction that he 
served something far greater than himself.
  Affectionately known by his fellow soldiers as ``GI Jew,'' he strove 
constantly to improve the lives of those around him. When he was not 
educating his fellow soldiers about his religion, he was serving as a 
mentor to orphaned children in Iraq. In the words of his father, ``He 
had 10,000 friends, and 10,000 friends thinking he was their best 
friend.''
  On June 21, 2007, Daniel Agami was killed while on patrol in Baghdad. 
He was only 25. More than 1,000 people attended his funeral. He was 
posthumously promoted to specialist, and his parents were presented 
with a number of medals, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and 
the Good Conduct Medal.
  Daniel died defending his core belief that America fights for the 
freedom and survival of the entire world. As one friend recalled, ``He 
had said that if, God forbid, anything happened to him, this is where 
he belonged.''
  A loving son, brother, grandson and friend, Daniel Agami will be 
missed, and not just by those 10,000 best friends, but by all Americans 
who cherish freedom and courage and honor.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill so that the life of this 
courageous young man and all that he stood for will not soon be 
forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the House subcommittee with oversight 
authority for the United States Postal Service, I stand in support of 
H.R. 6338, which renames a postal facility in Coconut Creek, Florida, 
in honor of Specialist Daniel Agami.
  H.R. 6338 enjoys the support of the entire House delegation from 
Florida

[[Page H8329]]

and was introduced by my colleague, Representative Ron Klein, on June 
20, 2008. The measure was taken up by the Oversight Committee on July 
16, 2008, where it was passed by voice vote.
  H.R. 6338 calls for honoring Specialist Daniel Agami for his 
unwavering commitment, service and sacrifice to America. Army 
Specialist Daniel Agami died on June 21, 2007, in Baghdad from injuries 
he suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his 
vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.
  While in college in 2005, he enlisted in the Army and was deployed to 
serve in Iraq the following year. Army Specialist Agami not only served 
as a combat soldier, but he was also a mentor for orphaned children in 
Iraq. Described as having a sunny personality, he was loved by the 
children he worked with and is certainly missed.
  Daniel's parents were presented with his Purple Heart and Bronze Star 
at his funeral. Agami was also posthumously honored with the Good 
Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraqi 
Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
  In honor of his tremendous service to this country, I urge my 
colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 6338 and renaming the postal 
facility on West Hillsboro Avenue in Coconut Creek, Florida, after 
Specialist Daniel Agami.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of 
H.R. 6338, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would urge passage 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. 6338.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms FOXX. 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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