[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 49 (Monday, March 23, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H3716-H3717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           LANCE CORPORAL DREW W. WEAVER POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 1218) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, as 
the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1218

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

     SECTION 1. LANCE CORPORAL DREW W. WEAVER POST OFFICE 
                   BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, 
     Missouri, shall be known and designated as the ``Lance 
     Corporal Drew W. Weaver 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 ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post 
     Office Building''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. 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 Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I present for consideration H.R. 1218, a bill 
to designate the United States postal facility located at 112 South 5th 
Street in St. Charles, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver 
Post Office Building.'' This legislation was introduced on February 26 
by my colleague and friend, Representative Todd W. Akin of Missouri, 
and considered and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform 
Committee by a voice vote on March 10, 2009. Additionally, H.R. 1218 
enjoys the support of the entire Missouri congressional delegation.
  A native of St. Charles, Missouri, Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver 
bravely served with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st 
Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force out of Twenty-Nine 
Palms, California. On February 21, 2008, the young marine was killed in 
action in al Anbar province in Iraq while conducting combat operations 
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Born on July 5, 1987, Lance Corporal Weaver decided to join the 
United States Marine Corps shortly before his graduation from St. 
Charles West High School in 2005. He was best known for his positive 
attitude, his sense of humor, his love of adventure, and above all, his 
dedication and commitment to his family, his friends, his unit and his 
country.
  St. Charles West Assistant Principal Scott Voekl remembers seeing 
Lance Corporal Weaver take daily morning runs on Zumbehl Road near the 
school in preparation for boot camp. Upon the young man's return from 
basic training, Mr. Voekl asked him if serving in the Marines was what 
he wanted to do. ``Absolutely,'' replied Lance Corporal

[[Page H3717]]

Weaver. Ken Mayer, another St. Charles West administrator, recalls that 
Lance Corporal Weaver ``truly believed in what he was doing.'' And St. 
Charles Mayor Patti York noted that Lance Corporal Weaver was a ``true 
hero'' and a beloved member of the St. Charles community.
  Mr. Speaker, Lance Corporal Weaver's life and service stand as a 
testament to the strength and support of his devoted family as well as 
the bravery and dedication of the young men and women that have joined 
him in offering the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our Nation.
  It is my hope that we can honor this outstanding soldier through the 
passage of this legislation without objection. I urge my colleagues to 
join us in supporting Congressman Akin in his sponsorship of H.R. 1218.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Today I rise in strong support of H.R. 1218, a bill I introduced to 
honor the life of Drew W. Weaver by designating the post office in St. 
Charles, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office 
Building.''
  A resident of St. Charles, Missouri, Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver 
was part of the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine 
Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.
  On February 21, 2007, Lance Corporal Weaver died while conducting 
combat operations in the al Anbar province of Iraq. As Captain Mark C. 
Brown noted, Drew was ``known for his enthusiasm and his ability to 
motivate people around him.''
  Drew's contribution to his country was honored by his community when 
hundreds, maybe more than hundreds actually, showed up for his memorial 
service and procession. A graduate of St. Charles West High School, 
friends and family of Drew remember him as an energetic young man who 
was eager to serve his country. Ryan Hanson, his best friend and a 
fellow serviceman, said, ``Drew loved what he was doing and was proud 
of what he did for the Marine Corps.''
  As a father of two marines, one of whom has served in Iraq and in 
Fallujah, it is a privilege to stand here today to honor one of our 
fallen soldiers. Drew'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 always 
free but the result of tremendous bravery and selfless service of men 
and women willing to put themselves in harm's way for freedom's cause.
  As Reverend James Benz noted during Drew's funeral, ``I think we can 
learn from them that the freedom we enjoy in this country is precious, 
that it is special, and that it must be preserved sometimes at great 
personal cost.''
  Our Nation will be forever indebted to Lance Corporal Drew Weaver.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring Lance 
Corporal Drew Weaver. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1218.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of our Members to join with the 
gentleman from Missouri in supporting this bill, H.R. 1218.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1218.
  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. LYNCH. 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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