[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 190 (Monday, December 12, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H8326-H8327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SPECIALIST PETER J. NAVARRO POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3246) 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. 3246

       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 
California (Mr. Issa) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
author of this bill, Representative Todd Akin of Missouri, who has 
authored this bill and carried it throughout the process, including 
here today.
  Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3246, a 
bill I introduced to honor the life of Peter J. Navarro by designating 
the post office in Ballwin, Missouri, as the Specialist Peter J. 
Navarro Post Office Building.
  A resident of Wildwood, Missouri, Specialist Peter J. Navarro was 
part of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade 
Combat Team and the 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 that he could join the Army right after his 
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 that without him ``they 
would be a man short. 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, Retired Chief Petty Officer 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 what the mission was.''
  As the father of three marines, I have watched my boys deploy to both 
Iraq and Afghanistan. As such, it's 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. He and his family's sacrifice 
should serve as a reminder to all of us that the freedom we enjoy as 
Americans is not free, but it's 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. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3246.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  On behalf of the Democratic members of the House Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform, I stand in support of the 
consideration of H.R. 3246. This bill designates the facility of the 
U.S. Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, 
Missouri, as the Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building.
  The measure before us was first introduced by my friend and 
colleague, Representative Todd Akin of Missouri, on October 24, 2011. 
In accordance with committee requirements, the entire Missouri 
delegation serves as cosponsors to the bill.
  Peter J. Navarro was a resident of Wildwood, Missouri, and a graduate 
of Lafayette High School. In honor of his service, Specialist Navarro 
has been awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart, and the 
Bronze Star. He was a dedicated soldier, willing to give the ultimate 
sacrifice to protect his country.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that we recognize Specialist Navarro's life and 
pass the underlying bill without reservation. Passage of H.R. 3246 is 
but a small token of appreciation for the faithful service of an 
outstanding American soldier, and I urge its immediate adoption.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I join with my colleagues from Missouri on the left and the right 
that we

[[Page H8327]]

are united by the naming of this post office on behalf of our fallen 
hero. Few things unite us in Congress like a recognition that men and 
women today are still paying the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. 
Knowing the risk, serving a long time, Peter Navarro knew what he was 
doing when he went back to Iraq, and he did so knowing the risks that 
he took.
  Many youth in America take risks, and they know not what they do and 
they lose their life; but the men and women of the Armed Forces know 
the risk, and particularly when they've already been in combat, return 
home, and go again. Sadly, more and more are going again for the 
second, third and fourth time; and Peter was no exception.
  So today, as we name this post office on behalf of our fallen heroes 
from Missouri, hopefully we will take time to reflect about the many 
from Missouri who will not have something named after them but should 
never be forgotten for their sacrifice and their contribution to the 
freedoms we enjoy.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his comments. I have 
no further speakers.
  Let us join together and support the passage of H.R. 3246 in honor of 
Specialist Peter J. Navarro.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3246.
  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. ISSA. 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, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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