[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 46 (Monday, March 24, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H2591-H2592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              LANCE CORPORAL PHILLIP VINNEDGE POST OFFICE

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2391) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 5323 Highway N in Cottleville, Missouri as the 
``Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2391

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

     SECTION 1. LANCE CORPORAL PHILLIP D. VINNEDGE POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 5323 Highway N in Cottleville, Missouri, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Lance Corporal Phillip 
     Vinnedge Post Office''.
       (b) References.--Any references 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 Phillip Vinnedge Post 
     Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Issa) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. 
Davis) 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 may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous materials 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, it is my privilege to yield such time as she 
may consume to the gentlelady from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner), the author 
of the bill.
  Mrs. WAGNER. I thank the chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of a great American hero.
  On October 13, 2010, Missouri's Second District lost a fearless young 
man when Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge made the ultimate sacrifice 
for his country while serving valiantly during Operation Enduring 
Freedom in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
  Phillip first decided to join the military at the age of 10 after 
witnessing the tragic events of September 11, and after graduating from 
Francis Howell Central High School in 2009, Phillip enlisted in the 
United States Marine Corps.
  To those who knew Phillip, his devotion to his country through 
service and sacrifice came as no surprise. He was always determined to 
protect family and friends and was a respected leader of humble, quiet, 
and kind nature who never sought accolades or recognition for his 
accomplishments. At the end of the day, he was happy just reaching his 
own personal goals while serving and protecting the country that he 
loved.

                              {time}  1915

  In addition to his military service, Phillip was an outstanding 
person. He always sought exciting adventures and new opportunities, 
from being a Boy Scout, an Order of the Arrow member, a member of the 
trap shooting club, a wrestler, a welder, and a skydiver among many 
other great things. There was no challenge that Phillip would back down 
from. It is for these fearless and courageous servants like Phillip 
that we are able to know we are protected and allowed to enjoy freedom 
and liberty here at home.
  Phillip will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but most of all 
by his family: his parents, David and Julie Vinnedge; and his brothers, 
Corey and Jason.
  However, despite their grief, the Vinnedges continue to work hard to 
honor the memory of Phillip. Phillip had always wanted to buy and 
restore an old 1950s pickup truck. Since he never had the chance, his 
parents bought a 1951 Chevy and dedicated it to their son and other 
fallen marines. The images of the truck resemble events from Phillip's 
life and ideas that were important to him. Julie and David Vinnedge now 
use the truck to promote charities such as Toys for Tots, the Missouri 
Military Memorial Foundation, and the Tragedy Assistance Program for 
Survivors.
  The United States of America owes Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge a 
priceless debt that we will never be able to fully repay. Therefore, 
the least I can do as a Representative of the United States Congress, 
it is my honor to sponsor H.R. 2391, a bill that names the Cottleville 
Post Office after such a genuine, honest, and great young man and by 
immortalizing a hero who gave up his life serving a Nation he 
absolutely loved. I am proud that this legislation will allow the 
inspiring story of Phillip to continue to be told in Missouri's Second 
District for a long, long time to come.
  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 
2391, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 5323 Highway N in Cottleville, Missouri, as the 
Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge Post Office.
  The measure before us was introduced on June 14, 2013, by my 
colleague, Representative Ann Wagner. In accordance with the 
committee's requirements, the bill before us is cosponsored by all 
members of the Missouri delegation. H.R. 2391 was reported out of 
committee by unanimous consent on March 12, 2014.
  After graduating from Francis Howell Central High School in 2009, 
Phillip attended Lewis & Clark Technical School for 2 years. Described 
as loving life and the challenges it presented, it is no surprise that 
Phillip enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
  Phillip Vinnedge was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st 
Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Pendleton 
in California. In September 2010, Lance Corporal Vinnedge's unit was 
deployed to Afghanistan. Only a month later, he was tragically killed 
on October 13, 2010, as his unit was conducting combat operations in 
the Helmand province region.
  While Lance Corporal Vinnedge will always be remembered as a marine 
who proudly served his country, those who know him best will forever 
remember him for his courageous and competitive spirit. Lance Corporal 
Vinnedge leaves behind his loving parents, Dave and Julie Vinnedge, and 
two brothers, Corey and Jason.
  Lance Corporal Vinnedge is the recipient of the Purple Heart, Combat 
Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on 
Terrorism Service Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that we pass this bill to show honor and 
appreciation to one of our fallen heroes.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I want to comment just briefly, and I yield 
myself such time as I may consume.
  First of all, Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge is among the very first 
postal

[[Page H2592]]

namings of the year. No other postal namings have occurred this entire 
Congress except these we are considering today for our fallen heroes. 
It has become clear that the public understands the importance of 
honoring those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, and so we do so 
today on behalf of the several fallen heroes.
  This particular lance corporal, in addition to being from Missouri, 
deployed from Camp Pendleton in my district with the 1st Marine 
Expeditionary Force, a unit that has seen as a percentage the greatest 
amount of losses of any unit in the theater of Afghanistan or Iraq. The 
sacrifice of our marines in this conflict in Afghanistan with not a 
single body of water anywhere around it says a great deal about the new 
marines.
  When Lance Corporal Vinnedge enlisted, he knew he was joining a force 
that wasn't waiting for a war in amphibious landing craft, but that in 
fact had already been and had fought with great distinction in 
Afghanistan, in addition to Iraq. He went there to serve his country, 
and he paid the highest cost. That is far too often what is happening 
around the world.
  On behalf of the marines of Camp Pendleton, we have great pride in 
his service, his commitment, and I am pleased to urge all Members to 
vote for the passage of the naming of this post office after one of our 
heroes of this decade. With that, I urge 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 California (Mr. Issa) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2391.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________