[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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