[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 173 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H7412-H7413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMY SPECIALIST MATTHEW TROY MORRIS POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 298) to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park,
Texas, as the ``Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office
Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 298
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ARMY SPECIALIST MATTHEW TROY MORRIS POST OFFICE
BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar
Park, Texas, shall be known and designated as the ``Army
Specialist Matthew Troy Morris 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 Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post
Office Building''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Farenthold) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. FARENTHOLD. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5
legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
With the observance of Veterans Day this past Friday, it is timely
and fitting that we name this post office in Cedar Park for Army
Specialist Matthew Troy Morris, a Texan and a true American hero who
gave his life courageously defending freedom.
I would now like to yield such time as he may consume to my
distinguished colleague and friend from the great State of Texas, the
sponsor of this legislation, Mr. Carter.
Mr. CARTER. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 298, a bill that
would designate the United States Post Office located at 500 East
Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas, as the Army Specialist
Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building.
Mr. Speaker, I have the high honor of representing the brave men and
women of Fort Hood, Texas, the largest military installation in the
world. Every day that I have the opportunity to serve in Congress, I do
so knowing that my number one responsibility is to give our men and
women in uniform the support and resources they need to be successful.
Each time I visit Fort Hood, I see America's finest--the soldiers who
put it all on the line to allow us to live in the greatest country on
Earth. Only 3 days ago, we celebrated Veterans Day, a somber reminder
that freedom is not free. And today, here on the House floor, we
remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, another
reminder to all of us that freedom is not free.
Representing Fort Hood, Texas, also comes with the sober reminder of
the sacrifice that our young men and women in the military and their
families make to the cause of freedom. Since September 11, 2001, 384
Army soldiers have been killed in action from the 31st District in
Texas, the highest number of any congressional district in the country.
Central Texans and their families have sacrificed much and know that
freedom is not free.
Today, we celebrate the life and remember one of those patriots who
served our country and gave his all, Army Specialist Matthew Troy
Morris. Matthew Morris was born on July 16, 1984, in Fairfax, Virginia.
He attended Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Virginia, where he
earned an ROTC leadership award. He later attended Cedar Park High
School in Cedar Park, Texas, and went on to score in the 90th
percentile on each section of the General Education Development test.
Specialist Morris enlisted in the United States Army in December 2005
and attended basic combat training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina,
followed by advanced individual training at Aberdeen Proving Ground in
Maryland. He graduated from AIT in June of 2006 as a power generation
equipment mechanic and was assigned to Howitzer Battery, 2nd Squadron,
and the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas.
{time} 1710
Specialist Morris served with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st
Cavalry Division in Balad. Despite the dangerous nature of this work,
he remained devoted to his mission; and the heroism he demonstrated in
Iraq earned him the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal,
National Defense Service Medal, Iraq
[[Page H7413]]
Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service
Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Combat Action Ribbon.
Matthew Troy Morris was killed on April 6, 2008, when his vehicle
encountered a makeshift bomb in Balad, Iraq. Matthew was only 23 years
old. He is the oldest of four children, leaving behind Cory, Katie and
Sam. Matthew's parents are Lisa and Glenn Morris of Cedar Park, Texas.
His father, Glenn, served our country in the Vietnam war, and we should
thank him for his service.
Matthew was engaged to be married to Ms. Julia Richardson. He is
survived by his grandparents, Nancy Jackson and Joane Walters; his
aunt, Diane Afflerbach; and uncles John and Brian Walters. The
sacrifice our military families make often goes unnoticed, and I would
like the entire Morris family to know that we will never forget Matthew
and the pain that they have endured at his loss. Our country and this
House have not forgotten Matthew, and we are proud to celebrate his
life on this day.
Matthew Morris exemplified the highest ideals of the United States
Armed Forces. And although his passing left a void in the lives of
those who were fortunate enough to know him, they will forever carry
the memories of this heroic young man close to their hearts.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 298 and ask my colleagues to
join in honoring an American patriot and hero, Army Specialist Matthew
Troy Morris of Cedar Park, Texas.
On Saturday, I was at the dedication of the Veterans Memorial in
Cedar Park, which holds the likeness of this young specialist, and
there were hundreds of citizens--probably 500 people--there to
celebrate that memorial.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 298, a bill to designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 500 East Whitestone
Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas, as the ``Army Specialist Matthew Troy
Morris Post Office Building.''
The measure before us was introduced by Congressman John Carter. In
accordance with our committee requirements, H.R. 298 has been
cosponsored by all the members of the Texas delegation. It was reported
favorably by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on
November 3, 2011.
Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris was born on July 16, 1984, just
across the Potomac River in Fairfax, Virginia. He was killed while
serving in Balad, Iraq, on Sunday, April 6, 2008, after only 23 short
years of life.
Specialist Morris was a loving son to his parents, Lisa and Glenn
Morris, and a caring brother to his siblings Cory, Katie and Sam.
Friends and family describe him as a dedicated soldier and an energetic
and inspiring young man.
Matthew Morris joined the Army immediately after high school and was
assigned to the 2nd Squadron of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment based
in Fort Hood, Texas. While serving in Iraq, he earned the Bronze Star,
the Purple Heart, the National Service Defense Medal, and several other
decorations for heroism. Specialist Morris was a talented young man
whose courage and sacrifice will forever be remembered.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that we pass the underlying bill to recognize
Specialist Morris' valor.
Having no requests for time, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I am truly grateful for the brave and heroic service of Specialist
Morris and the countless other veterans who sacrifice their time, the
families that sacrifice their time, and the bravery and courage of all
our veterans in serving our country and protecting our freedom. It is
true that freedom is not free; and veterans like Specialist Matthew
Troy Morris, whom we're proposing to name this post office after, are
perfect examples of the bravery and courage of the American military.
Specialist Morris was born on July 16, 1984, in Fairfax, Virginia. He
later attended Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas.
Specialist Morris was in Iraq, serving as part of the Army's 2nd
Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division based out
of Fort Hood. Tragically, on April 6, 2008, at just 23 years of age,
Specialist Morris was killed when the vehicle he was riding in hit an
improvised makeshift bomb. Specialist Morris left behind his parents,
three siblings, a fiancee, and dozens of other family and friends. For
the bravery, courage, and heroism he displayed, Specialist Morris was
awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and National Service Defense
Medal.
Mr. Speaker, our Nation is eternally grateful for his sacrifice, and
I urge all Members to join me in strong support of this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Westmoreland). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Farenthold) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 298.
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. FARENTHOLD. 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, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
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