[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 119 (Monday, July 16, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H6211-H6212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SPC. STERLING WILLIAM WYATT POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4960) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 511 East Walnut Street in Columbia, Missouri, as the 
``Spc. Sterling William Wyatt Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4960

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

     SECTION 1. SPC. STERLING WILLIAM WYATT POST OFFICE BUILDING.

         (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States 
     Postal Service located at 511 East Walnut Street in Columbia, 
     Missouri, shall be known and designated as the ``Spc. 
     Sterling William Wyatt 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 ``Spc. Sterling William Wyatt Post Office 
     Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Walker) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Sarbanes) 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 
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

[[Page H6212]]

  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.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4960, a bill introduced by the 
gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler) to name the post office at 
511 East Walnut Street in Columbia, Missouri, in honor of Specialist 
Sterling William Wyatt.
  Sterling Wyatt was born and raised in Columbia, Missouri. Even before 
he graduated high school, Wyatt had shown great service and 
achievement. He participated in the youth group and operated the sound 
equipment for his church. He made the rank of Eagle Scout. He earned a 
black belt in tae kwon do, and he received a certification as a nurse 
attendant.
  After graduating high school in 2009, Wyatt continued his service, 
enlisting in the United States Army, where he was assigned to the 5th 
Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, and was ultimately deployed to 
Afghanistan.
  On July 11, 2012, when on patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Wyatt's 
vehicle was attacked by an IED, and he was killed in action at age 21.
  Specialist Wyatt made the ultimate sacrifice in his service of his 
nation. In recognition of his heroism, Specialist Wyatt was awarded the 
Medal of Valor, the Bronze Star, and the National Defense Service 
Medal, among others. We commend him for his service and honor him for 
his sacrifice.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Hartzler for introducing the bill 
and look forward to hearing more about the bill from her in the next 
few minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of 
H.R. 4960, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 511 East Walnut Street in Columbia, Missouri, as the 
Spc. Sterling William Wyatt Post Office Building.
  Specialist Wyatt epitomized dedication and hard work, becoming an 
Eagle Scout, first degree black belt in tae kwon do, and a certified 
nurse attendant before his high school graduation.
  He carried that spirit with him when he enlisted in the Army, joining 
the 20th Infantry Regiment. Specialist Wyatt deployed to Kandahar, 
Afghanistan, and gave his life on July 11, 2012, when his vehicle was 
hit by an IED. Just 21 years old, Specialist Wyatt was awarded the 
Medal of Valor and a Bronze Star.
  Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to remember the ultimate 
sacrifice paid by Specialist Sterling William Wyatt.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 4960, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler), the sponsor of this bill.
  Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask support for H.R. 
4960, which would name the downtown Columbia, Missouri, post office in 
memory of one of our Nation's heroes, Specialist Sterling William 
Wyatt, who proudly served in the United States Army.
  I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member and so many of my 
colleagues for your support of this legislation.
  Sterling was born and raised in Columbia, Missouri, located in the 
heart of Missouri's Fourth Congressional District.
  Early on, Sterling showed his commitment to service by being an 
active participant in his youth group and in his church. Through his 
service and hard work, he was quite an accomplished young man. He 
earned the rank of Eagle Scout, a first degree black belt in tae kwon 
do, and a certification as a certified nurse attendant, all before 
graduating from high school in 2009.

                              {time}  1630

  Soon after, he decided to continue his lifestyle of service by 
joining the United States Army. He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 
20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry 
Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.
  Tragically, Specialist Wyatt was killed on July 11, 2012, while on 
patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was only 21 years old. His vehicle 
was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device. His awards and 
decorations for his service are many, including, but not limited to, 
the Medal of Valor and Bronze Star.
  Specialist Wyatt's dedication to serving his community and country 
were a testament to his faith and his family, especially his loving 
parents, Randy and Sherry Wyatt.
  It is fitting that we bring this bill today for a vote before the 
United States House of Representatives, because just a few days ago we 
solemnly remembered the 6-year anniversary of his passing.
  As representatives of the people who bravely serve our country, 
especially those who pay the ultimate sacrifice, we owe it to their 
lives and memories to never forget all that they have done for us.
  Although Sterling was taken from us too soon, this bill will enshrine 
his memory in our community for posterity so everyone can know this 
brave soldier and be reminded that freedom is not free.
  And maybe, when others learn about Sterling's story and sacrifice, 
they, too, will put service above self and answer the call to serve, 
which is the noblest and most honorable action anyone can take. Truly, 
greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's 
friends. Sterling did this for his brothers and sisters in arms, for 
those who yearn to be free in a desperate land, and for all of us. We 
will forever be grateful.
  And, with the renaming of this post office in Columbia, Missouri, the 
Specialist Sterling William Wyatt Post Office Building, we will always 
remember and always be grateful.
  I ask my colleagues to support this legislation to honor Specialist 
Wyatt's memory.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge the 
passage of H.R. 4960 in honor of Specialist Wyatt, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and 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. 4960.
  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. WALKER. Mr. 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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