[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 127 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H7253-H7254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SPECIALIST THEODORE MATTHEW GLENDE POST OFFICE
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (H.R. 5019) to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 1335 Jefferson Road in Rochester, New
York, as the ``Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende Post Office''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5019
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SPECIALIST THEODORE MATTHEW GLENDE POST OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1335 Jefferson Road in Rochester, New
York, shall be known and designated as the ``Specialist
Theodore Matthew Glende 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 ``Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende Post
Office''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Collins) and the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
General Leave
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam 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 Georgia?
There was no objection.
{time} 1445
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 5019, which was introduced by
Representative Louise Slaughter of New York. This bill would designate
the postal facility located at 1335 Jefferson Road in Rochester, New
York, as the Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende Post Office.
Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende died while serving in Operation
Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was killed in Kharwar, Logar
province, Afghanistan, on July 27, 2012, when his unit was in the field
and came under enemy fire.
During the attack, Specialist Glende helped the medic get his wounded
comrades to take shelter in a trailer when a mortar round hit the
trailer and killed him. Members of his unit said that he saved the
lives of five of his fellow soldiers in the attack. He was only 23
years old.
A native of Rochester, New York, Theodore graduated from McQuaid
Jesuit High School in 2007 and enrolled at Niagara University. He soon
felt called to join the U.S. Army and enlisted.
He is survived by his wife, Alexandra, whom he married just months
before leaving for his first tour of duty.
Madam Speaker, it is my honor and privilege to pay tribute to this
true American hero. I ask for my colleagues' support of H.R. 5019.
Naming a postal facility after him is the least we can do to honor
Specialist Glende's service and sacrifice.
With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, at this time, I am pleased to yield as
much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Slaughter), the ranking member of the Rules Committee.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Horsford and the gentleman
from Georgia (Mr. Collins) for their kind words that you have already
said about my constituent, Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende.
As was said before, he was born in Rochester on January 13 of 1989.
His life was taken far too soon at the age of 23, while he served his
country and helped to protect the lives of his brothers in arms.
Those who knew him described him as a fun-loving jokester, who above
all else was dedicated to service to his country. After graduating from
McQuaid Jesuit High School in 2007, he joined the ROTC at Niagara
University.
He was so passionate about defending his country that when he learned
he would likely be commissioned as a Reserve lieutenant, he instead
enlisted in the U.S. Army to pursue his goal of becoming an Active Duty
infantryman.
After enlistment, Theodore was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd
Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based out of
Vincenza, Italy. He then married his wife, Alexandra, on April 12,
2012, just a few months before leaving on his first tour of duty.
On July 27, Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende and his unit were
ambushed. He courageously ushered his wounded comrades to shelter and
endangered his own life. His selfless and sacrificial actions saved the
lives of five of his fellow soldiers. He gave his young life in service
to his country, and because of his bravery, he was posthumously
promoted from private first class to specialist.
Today, I rise to honor the memory of Specialist Glende. With this
legislation, the facility of the United States Postal Service located
at 1335 Jefferson Road in Rochester, New York, will be permanently
designated the Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende Post Office.
While nothing we can do will ever assuage the grief of Theodore's
wife, of his family and friends, this designation is a small token of
our gratitude for his valiant service and will help to keep his memory
alive for future generations.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, we have no other speakers and
are ready to close.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I support the passage of this bill to honor the courage exhibited by
this
[[Page H7254]]
young man in the face of danger. Because of Specialist Glende's brave
actions, five American lives were saved on the battlefield. He deserves
our respect for his honorable service.
I thank our colleague, Representative Slaughter, for bringing this
legislation. I urge the body's adoption of H.R. 5019, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
As I have been listening here just for the last few moments--and at
this point, as the song says, ``We are over halfway there''--of
listening through these what many people would say are just post office
namings, if you listen to the stories that are being told, these are
the stories of America, these are the stories of those who serve, those
who gave their life, those who served us in other ways in their
communities.
For that reason, if no other, this should be mandatory to watch in
the elementary schools and high schools all across this country because
this is what we are talking about is the best of America.
With that, I would ask support of passage of H.R. 5019, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5019.
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. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam 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 motion will be postponed.
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