[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 176 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2071-E2072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ARMY SPECIALIST MATTHEW TROY MORRIS POST OFFICE BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN R. CARTER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2011

  Mr. CARTER. 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 at 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 three 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 us all 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 of 
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 Educational Development Test.
  Specialist Morris enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 2005, and 
attended Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, 
followed by Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Aberdeen Proving 
Grounds, Maryland. He graduated from AIT in June 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. 
Specialist Morris served with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st 
Cavalry Division in Balad, Iraq. 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 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 6th, 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 thank him 
for his service. Matthew was engaged to be married to Ms. Julia 
Richardson. He is survived by his great-grandmother Ruth Staton Jordan, 
his grandparents Nancy Jackson and Joane Walters, his aunt Diane 
Afflerbach and uncles, John and Brian Walters. The sacrifice that 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 you have endured. Our country, and this House, has not 
forgotten Matthew and we are proud to celebrate his life on this day.
  Matthew Morris exemplified the highest ideals of the U.S. Armed 
Forces, and although his passing has left a void in the lives of those 
who were fortunate enough to know him, they will forever carry memories 
of this heroic young man close in their hearts.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge immediate passage of H.R. 298, and ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring an American patriot and hero, Army 
Specialist Matthew Troy Morris of Cedar Park, Texas.

[[Page E2072]]



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