[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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