[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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