[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 109 (Monday, July 14, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H6155-H6156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OFFICER JAMES BONNEAU MEMORIAL POST OFFICE
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 3534) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 113 West Michigan Avenue in Jackson, Michigan, as
the ``Officer James Bonneau Memorial Post Office''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3534
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. OFFICER JAMES BONNEAU MEMORIAL POST OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 113 West Michigan Avenue in Jackson,
Michigan, shall be known and designated as the ``Officer
James Bonneau Memorial Post Office''.
(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 ``Officer James Bonneau Memorial Post
Office''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Gosar) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
General Leave
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and
to include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GOSAR. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3534, introduced by my colleague, Representative
Tim Walberg of Michigan, will designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 113 West Michigan Avenue in Jackson,
Michigan, as the Officer James Bonneau Memorial Post Office.
Police Officer James Bonneau served in the Jackson Police Department
in Michigan. While he was responding to a domestic disturbance call, he
was shot and killed on March 9, 2010. A veteran with 2 years on the
police force, he was loved and respected by his community. Officer
Bonneau was 26 years old when he died doing his duty for his community
and his country.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am very pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R.
3534, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 113 West Michigan Avenue in Jackson, Michigan, as
the Officer James Bonneau Memorial Post Office.
James Bonneau was a native of Canton, Michigan. He graduated with a
degree in criminal justice from Eastern Michigan University in 2006.
James graduated at the top of his class from Lansing Community
College's Mid-Michigan Police Academy and subsequently joined the
Jackson Police Department.
On March 9, 2010, Officer Bonneau was following up on a domestic
disturbance call when he was tragically shot and killed.
Bonneau is survived by his parents, Marc and Amy Bonneau, as well as
his fiancee, Rachael Maloney.
Passing this bill will help recognize Officer Bonneau's police
service as well as his dedication and commitment to his family, the
police department, and his community. I urge all of my colleagues to
vote in favor of this legislation.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the
distinguished gentleman from the State of Michigan (Mr. Walberg).
Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues from Arizona and
Maryland for their support in bringing this forward.
It is with a heavy heart that I rise today in support of H.R. 3534,
legislation I introduced to designate the postal facility located at
113 West Michigan Avenue in Jackson, Michigan, as the Officer James
Bonneau Memorial Post Office.
Just after midnight on March 9, 2010, Officer James Bonneau was
killed in
[[Page H6156]]
the line of duty as he and a fellow public safety officer responded to
a domestic disturbance complaint. Although he later succumbed to his
wounds, Officer Bonneau was able to call for help and relay information
about the scene that saved the life of his fellow public safety officer
who had also been shot, who I have met and talked to and who
appreciates his colleague so much for saving his life.
In recognition of his exceptional acts of bravery, Officer Bonneau
was awarded the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in 2011.
{time} 1630
Four years after his passing, he remains in the hearts and minds of
the Jackson community.
The Officer James Bonneau Memorial Scholarship fund was named in his
honor and helps local students who are pursuing a degree in criminal
justice.
A graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a degree in criminal
justice, Bonneau went on to graduate from Lansing Community College's
Mid-Michigan Police Academy at the top of his class academically before
joining the Jackson police force.
Being an officer was a job he always wanted to do since he was a kid,
according to Officer Bonneau's parents. To those who knew him best, he
was described as loyal, genuine, and good-hearted.
In passing this legislation today, we take a small step forward in
memorializing his sacrifice and ensurig that future generations
remember the heroism of Officer Bonneau. To his mother and father, Amy
and Marc Bonneau, and the rest of his family, we offer our sincere
gratitude and condolences.
And to his fellow officers at the Jackson Police Department, we thank
you, as well, for continuing to put your lives on the line each day as
you protect our communities.
As Officer Bonneau's father put it:
It is hard to say, but at least he died loving what he did.
That was his dream. That was what he lived for.
Officer James David Bonneau gave his life in service to the Jackson
community. We acknowledge his ultimate sacrifice, and we will never
forget what he lived for--duty over self.
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of
H.R. 3534, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 3534.
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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