[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 81 (Monday, May 23, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H2923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





     PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FELTON ROGER FUSSELL MEMORIAL POST OFFICE

  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3953) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 4122 Madison Street, Elfers, Florida, as the 
``Private First Class Felton Roger Fussell Memorial Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3953

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

     SECTION 1. PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FELTON ROGER FUSSELL MEMORIAL 
                   POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 4122 Madison Street, Elfers, Florida, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Private First Class 
     Felton Roger Fussell 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 ``Private First Class Felton Roger Fussell 
     Memorial Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Walker) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. 
Lawrence) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
to 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. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 3953, introduced by Congressman Gus 
Bilirakis of Florida. H.R. 3953 designates the post office located at 
4122 Madison Street, in Elfers, Florida, as the Private First Class 
Felton Roger Fussell Memorial Post Office.
  Roger Fussell enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1969 at the age of 18 
and left for Vietnam in that same year. Exactly 1 year after he 
enlisted, Fussell was tragically killed by enemy fire. Private First 
Class Felton Roger Fussell volunteered his service and lost his life 
all too soon while fighting for a country he believed in.
  I urge Members to support this bill that names a post office in his 
honor. In a moment, I will yield to its sponsor, my friend, Congressman 
Bilirakis, to tell us more about Private First Class Felton Roger 
Fussell.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I join with my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 3953, a bill 
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service, located 
in Elfers, Florida, as Private First Class Felton Roger Fussell 
Memorial Post Office.
  Roger Fussell received numerous awards for his honorable service, 
including an Expert Marksman Medal, a Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, 
the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and a Purple Heart.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill to create and 
preserve the memory of Private First Class Fussell's achievements and 
to honor the ultimate sacrifice he made on behalf of this country.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3953, 
legislation to designate the Elfers post office as the Private First 
Class Felton Roger Fussell Memorial Post Office.
  I never had a chance to meet Private First Class Felton Roger 
Fussell, but after working on this legislation with his family and 
friends, I wish I had.
  Private Fussell was born in New Port Richey, Florida, and graduated 
from Gulf High School in 1968. Despite his love for hunting, fishing, 
and repairing old cars, Private Fussell pursued his calling by 
enlisting in the Marine Corps.
  On June 6, 1968, Private Fussell entered the service along with his 
friend, Jack Mathison, under the Buddy System program. They went to 
basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, where Roger was the 
high shooter for his platoon.
  He also was honored with the Expert Marksman Medal for superior 
scores in rifle range shooting. Private Fussell then continued on to 
advanced infantry training at Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton.
  Private Fussell departed for Vietnam in March of 1969 and served with 
honor and distinction. On the 1-year anniversary of his enlistment, he 
was killed by mortar fire in service of his country.
  For his bravery and sacrifice, Private Fussell earned several awards, 
including the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, which is awarded for 
acts of valor and heroic conduct during an armed conflict.
  He also received the Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, which is the 
highest military decoration that was bestowed by South Vietnam during 
the Vietnam war.
  Clearly, Private First Class Felton Roger Fussell is a hero who is 
deserving of having his hometown's post office in Elfers, Florida, 
dedicated in his honor.
  I have worked closely with Roger's family and with the entire Elfers 
community on this legislation to help solidify the memory of Private 
Fussell's bravery, American spirit, and optimism.
  His actions served as an inspiration for his brother, Timothy, who 
has gone on to serve his community as chief of the Port Richey Fire 
Department.
  Honoring Private Fussell with the Elfers post office's designation 
also honors the work of his sister, Myra. Myra served her community in 
this very post office for 20 years.
  Let's honor this American hero and his family by passing H.R. 3953 
and by designating the Elfers post office as the Private First Class 
Felton Roger Fussell Memorial Post Office.
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 3953.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Walker) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3953.
  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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