[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 17, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H5378-H5379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         STAFF SERGEANT JOSEPH D'AUGUSTINE POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1458) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as 
the ``Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1458

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

     SECTION 1. STAFF SERGEANT JOSEPH D'AUGUSTINE POST OFFICE 
                   BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New 
     Jersey, shall be known and designated as the ``Staff Sergeant 
     Joseph D'Augustine 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 ``Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post 
     Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Meadows) and the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
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 North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 1458, introduced by Mr. Scott Garrett 
of New Jersey, which would designate the postal facility located at 1 
Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the Staff Sergeant 
Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building.
  Staff Sergeant D'Augustine was killed on March 27, 2012, in Helmand 
province, Afghanistan--a fierce battleground where over 19,000 marines 
were deployed. He was conducting combat operations with other marines. 
He died 2 weeks before he was due to come home for his sister's 
wedding. At this funeral, hundreds of Waldwick residents gathered at 
the church in his memory, and hundreds more lined the streets to pay 
their respects.

[[Page H5379]]

  Staff Sergeant D'Augustine was a native of Waldwick, New Jersey. He 
graduated from Waldwick High School in 2001, where he wrestled and 
played football. In the Marines, Sergeant D'Augustine was assigned to 
one of the most dangerous jobs as a member of an Explosive Ordnance 
Disposal Unit. He bravely performed his duties and should be remembered 
for his courage and his heroism.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to pay tribute to Staff Sergeant Joseph 
D'Augustine today by asking my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of this bill, 
to designate the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 1 Walter 
Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the Staff Sergeant Joseph 
D'Augustine Post Office Building, and I very much look forward to 
hearing an account of Sergeant D'Augustine from Mr. Garrett.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from the State of New Jersey (Mr. Garrett), my 
distinguished colleague.
  Mr. GARRETT. I thank the gentleman.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I rise 
today to honor the life and legacy of one of New Jersey's sons, Staff 
Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine of Waldwick, New Jersey.
  Staff Sergeant D'Augustine was killed more than 2 years ago on March 
27, 2012, while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan. In the 
greatest act of sacrifice possible, Staff Sergeant D'Augustine gave his 
life while protecting his fellow men and women in uniform. He was just 
29 years old. Today, this House will honor Staff Sergeant D'Augustine's 
ultimate sacrifice by passing H.R. 1458.
  This legislation will designate the United States Postal Service 
located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the Staff 
Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building. While no action by 
this Congress could ever repay his sacrifice, this bill will create a 
permanent and visible memory of his heroism.
  It was just 1 day after graduating from Waldwick High School back in 
2001 that Staff Sergeant D'Augustine enlisted in the United States 
Marine Corps. He was assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 
2nd Marine Logistics Group, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force. Staff 
Sergeant D'Augustine had served two tours of duty in Iraq, and as was 
stated, he was just 2 weeks away from completing his second tour of 
duty in Afghanistan.
  While there, he worked as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal tech, and he 
was going ahead of his fellow marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen 
and was clearing the way for them. We will never know how many lives 
Staff Sergeant D'Augustine saved, but his numerous awards, including 
the Bronze Star with valor, the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps 
Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the 
Combat Action Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense 
Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, 
the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service 
Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, 
and the NATO-ISAF Medal, all speak of his selfless heroism.
  Even after his passing, Staff Sergeant D'Augustine's legacy continues 
to this day in his community.
  The Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Memorial Fund offers a 
scholarship to one male graduating senior and one female graduating 
senior who exemplify the highest standards of citizenship through 
strong character and dedication to community service. Since October 
2012, the fund has donated more than $48,000 to numerous charities as 
well as making direct donations to veterans in need. The tremendous 
outpouring of love and support for his family since his death has 
provided a glimpse into the number of lives he has touched and also 
into the number of lives his legacy continues to touch.
  To those who knew him best--his parents, Anthony and Patricia; his 
three sisters, Nicole, Jennifer, and Michele; and his brother-in-law, 
Len--he will always be remembered as a loving son and a loving brother.
  To his fellow marines, he will be remembered as a faithful brother in 
arms.
  To this Nation, he will be remembered as a patriot who loved his 
country, who loved the Marine Corps, and who gave his life in defense 
of freedom.
  The Marine Corps motto is ``Semper Fidelis''--``always faithful.'' 
Staff Sergeant D'Augustine lived this motto, and his legacy embodies 
it. He was faithful to his country, and he was faithful to his mission. 
He was faithful to the Corps, and he was faithful to his fellow 
marines.

  In times such as this, words fail to provide adequate comfort to his 
family and friends, and it is my sincere hope that they know that the 
prayers and gratitude of this Nation are always with them.
  Mr. WELCH. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his eloquent 
statement, and we fully support this bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to thank the gentleman 
from New Jersey for his leadership on this particular issue, for his 
love for those whom he represents and for his love for those who serve. 
I thank the gentleman so much for bringing this bill forward, and I 
urge all of the Members to support H.R. 1458.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois). The question 
is on the motion offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Meadows) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1458.
  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.

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