[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H317-H318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SPECIALIST MATTHEW R. TURCOTTE POST OFFICE

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (S. 566) to designate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 42 Main Street in Slatersville, Rhode Island, 
as the ``Specialist Matthew R. Turcotte Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                 S. 566

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

     SECTION 1. SPECIALIST MATTHEW R. TURCOTTE POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 42 Main Street in Slatersville, Rhode 
     Island, shall be known and designated as the ``Specialist 
     Matthew R. Turcotte 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 Matthew R. Turcotte Post 
     Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) and the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. 
LaTurner) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. 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 this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of S. 566, to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 42 Main Street in Slatersville, 
Rhode Island, as the Specialist Matthew R. Turcotte Post Office.
  Specialist Matthew R. Turcotte was from North Smithfield, Rhode 
Island, and a graduate of North Smithfield High School where he was 
cocaptain of the football team. Specialist Turcotte served with 2nd 
Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division in Kosovo.
  Over the course of his military career, Specialist Turcotte earned 
numerous medals and commendations, including the Army Achievement 
Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service 
Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the 
NATO Medal. Specialist Turcotte was deeply committed to our Nation and 
served the country with distinction.
  In 2017, he was killed during a live-fire training exercise at Fort 
Carson, Colorado. He is survived by his wife, parents, and two sisters. 
I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in honoring his legacy by 
naming the post office at 42 Main Street as the Specialist Matthew R. 
Turcotte Post Office.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 566, a bill that would name a 
Slatersville, Rhode Island, post office after Army Specialist Matthew 
R. Turcotte.
  Matthew Turcotte was a lifelong resident of Smithfield where he 
played high school football just 4 miles down the road from the post 
office that will bear his name. While in high school, Turcotte enlisted 
in the U.S. Army and served with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team 
of the 4th Infantry Division. He was deployed overseas to Kosovo and 
earned the Army Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism 
Service Medal, among others.
  In 2017, he was tragically killed during a training exercise at Fort 
Carson, Colorado. This American hero is dearly missed by his wife, 
parents, sisters, and friends. Specialist Turcotte was a dedicated 
soldier and patriot.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), in whose district the post 
office resides.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 566, 
legislation to rename the United States Postal Service facility in 
Slatersville, Rhode Island, the Specialist Matthew R. Turcotte Post 
Office.
  A fallen soldier from North Smithfield who gave his life in service 
of his country, Specialist Matthew Turcotte was tragically killed 
during a training accident in 2017 when he was only 20 years old. An 
exceptional young man who exemplified the utmost commitment to serving 
his community and his country, Matthew's service continues to make all 
Rhode Island proud.
  Matthew, a lifelong North Smithfield resident eager to serve his 
country, enlisted in the U.S. Army while attending North Smithfield 
High School, where he was cocaptain of the football team and a member 
of the track and field team.
  After his graduation in 2015, Matthew enlisted as a specialist and 
began his military career at Fort Benning. During his 2 short, enlisted 
years, he earned numerous awards for his service, including the Army 
Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces 
Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the 
Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.
  Matthew's superiors in the military described him as a tremendous 
soldier who exemplified selfless service to our military and our 
Nation. He was deployed to Kosovo in 2016, and following his return, 
married his high school sweetheart and beloved wife, Megan.
  In August of 2017, Matthew was killed during a live-ammunition 
training exercise at Fort Carson in Colorado while serving with the 2nd 
Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division.
  As we prepare to dedicate this post office in Matthew's memory, I am 
thinking about his father, Raymond; his mother, Liza; his wife, Megan; 
his sisters, Kayla and Paige; and all his extended family and loved 
ones.
  Mr. Speaker, let us never forget the enormous debt of gratitude that 
we owe to not just Matthew and his family, but to all military families 
across the country who support the brave men and women who defend our 
Nation and often shoulder the pain of unimaginable grief and loss.

                              {time}  1445

  The decision to live one's life in service of others is never an easy 
one, and Matthew's commitment to a vocation of service represented the 
very best of our Nation and Rhode Island. For his patriotism, for his 
love of family and community, and for his dedication to the principles 
we as Americans hold dear, we salute Matthew and dedicate this post 
office in his honor.
  I know that Matthew's legacy will continue to inspire our community 
in North Smithfield and all Rhode Islanders.
  The dedication of this post office is an enduring expression of our 
gratitude for his service and a permanent reminder of his sacrifice. We 
know that Matthew's legacy and the impact he had on those who knew and 
loved him will far outlast anything we do or say, Mr. Speaker, but it 
is the least we can do for one of the great heroes of our Nation, 
Matthew R. Turcotte.
  Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and I yield back the 
balance of my time
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, may the memory of Matthew R. 
Turcotte be for a blessing, and I urge passage of S. 566, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, S. 566.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.

[[Page H318]]

  

  Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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