[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 14, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H706-H707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        LANCE CORPORAL MATTHEW P. PATHENOS POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3247) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield, 
Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office 
Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3247

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

     SECTION 1. LANCE CORPORAL MATTHEW P. PATHENOS POST OFFICE 
                   BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in 
     Chesterfield, Missouri, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos 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 Matthew P. Pathenos Post 
     Office Building''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 
within 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 Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3247, introduced by the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Akin) would designate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in 
Chesterfield, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos 
Post Office Building.''
  The bill is cosponsored by the entire Missouri State delegation and 
was reported favorably by the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform on November 3 of last year.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we name this post office 
in Chesterfield, Missouri, for Marine Corps Lance Corporal Pathenos, a 
true American hero who gave his life courageously defending freedom. 
More than a selfless marine, Mr. Speaker, Lance Corporal Pathenos was a 
loving son, brother, and friend.
  As one of his fellow marines reflected after his tragic passing, the 
best thing about Matt was his ability to wake up every day with a smile 
and hold it all day long. Even while in the midst of war, Lance 
Corporal Pathenos strove to bring joy to his fellow marines and 
friends. That's just the kind of guy that he was; and for his service 
and sacrifice, Mr. Speaker, we are truly grateful.
  I now yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished friend 
and colleague from the State of Missouri and the sponsor of this 
legislation, Mr. Akin.
  Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3247, a 
bill I introduced on the life of Matthew P. Pathenos by designating the 
post office in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the Lance Corporal Matthew P. 
Pathenos Post Office Building.
  A resident of Baldwin, Missouri, Lance Corporal Matthew Pathenos was 
part of the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division of 
the Marine Forces Reserve. On February 7, 2007, Lance Corporal Pathenos 
was killed during combat operations in the al Anbar province of Iraq.
  Matthew was often described by family and friends as a friendly young 
man who always had a joke to tell and a smile on his face. Matthew 
decided to go join the military in order to follow his older brother 
into his country's

[[Page H707]]

service with the hope of helping those who could not help themselves.
  Matthew's then-girlfriend, Erin, calls Lance Corporal Pathenos her 
hero and wishes she might one day possess a fraction of his bravery and 
discipline.
  As the father of three marines, one of whom has served in Iraq, it is 
a privilege to stand here today to honor one of our fallen marines. 
Matthew'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.

                              {time}  1700

  His and his family's sacrifice should serve as a reminder to all that 
the freedom we enjoy in America is not free but 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 Lance Corporal Matthew Pathenos.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring Lance 
Corporal Matthew Pathenos. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3247.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  As a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I join 
my colleagues from my home State of Missouri in strong support of H.R. 
3247, and I thank my colleague, Mr. Akin, for introducing this 
legislation. The legislation will name the postal facility in Town and 
Country Commons in Chesterfield, Missouri, after Lance Corporal Matthew 
P. Pathenos.
  H.R. 3247 was introduced by my colleague, Representative Akin, and 
has the support of the entire Missouri delegation, including myself. 
The bill was introduced on October 24 of last year and was considered 
by and reported from the Oversight Committee by voice vote shortly 
thereafter, on November 3, 2011.
  Tragically, on February 7, 2007, Lance Corporal Pathenos was killed 
while conducting combat operations in the al Anbar province, Iraq. 
Described as a disciplined, dedicated, and patriotic gentleman, 
Corporal Pathenos served his country proudly.
  In recognition of his dedication to his country, Mr. Speaker, I ask 
my colleagues to join me in commemorating the life of this brave marine 
by supporting the passage of H.R. 3247.
  Mr. Speaker, having no additional speakers, I once again urge 
adoption of H.R. 3247 in honor of the life and service of Lance 
Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I am truly grateful for the brave and heroic 
service of Lance Corporal Pathenos and for all of those who serve and 
defend our Nation each and every day. 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. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3247.
  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. KELLY. 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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