[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H321-H322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1515
CORPORAL JEFFREY ROBERT STANDFEST POST OFFICE BUILDING
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 3613) to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 202 Trumbull Street in Saint Clair,
Michigan, as the ``Corporal Jeffrey Robert Standfest Post Office
Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3613
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CORPORAL JEFFREY ROBERT STANDFEST POST OFFICE
BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 202 Trumbull Street in Saint Clair,
Michigan, shall be known and designated as the ``Corporal
Jeffrey Robert Standfest Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other
[[Page H322]]
record of the United States to the facility referred to in
subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the
``Corporal Jeffrey Robert Standfest Post Office Building''.
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.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3613 to designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 202 Trumbull
Street in Saint Clair, Michigan, as the Corporal Jeffrey Robert
Standfest Post Office Building.
Corporal Jeffrey Robert Standfest was born on April 24, 1987. He was
a 2005 graduate of Saint Clair High School where, during his senior
year, he won 12 of his 14 cross-country races and was named the Times
Herald newspaper's Runner of the Year. He also ran cross-country during
his tenure at Oakland University and helped lead his team to a
conference championship.
Described as an all-American kid, he joined the military because his
grandfather had served in the Marines during World War II. Due to his
constant demonstration of maturity and leadership, Corporal Standfest
was selected to become one of his unit's few dog handlers, in addition
to his role as a combat engineer.
In Afghanistan, he had been operating alongside his fellow engineers
as a dog handler to detect IEDs and assist the route clearance platoon.
Sadly, while attempting to clear a building on June 16, 2010, tragedy
struck in the Helmand province of Afghanistan when Corporal Standfest,
along with his bomb-sniffing dog, Sergeant Ruppert, was killed by an
IED. Corporal Standfest was only 23 years old.
In the aftermath of his death, then-Governor Granholm lowered flags
to halfstaff. Corporal Standfest was posthumously awarded the Purple
Heart. He was previously awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, National
Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on
Terrorism Medal, and the NATO medal.
Naming a post office after Corporal Standfest is appropriate, given
his dedication to his country. I urge my colleagues to join me in
honoring Corporal Standfest.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time
Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill which honors Corporal
Jeffrey Robert Standfest. Inspired by his grandfather, a Marine in
World War II, this all-American kid joined the military as a combat
engineer. Corporal Standfest was later selected to become one of his
unit's few dog handlers, a testament to his maturity.
Tragically, Corporal Standfest was killed by an IED on June 16, 2010,
while clearing a building in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. His
bomb-sniffing dog, Sergeant Ruppert, was also killed. Corporal
Standfest was only 23 years old.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill
honoring a true American hero. I support this bill, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LaTURNER. I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan
(Mrs. McClain).
Mrs. McCLAIN. Mr. Speaker, the House will vote on my bill to rename
the Saint Clair Post Office after Marine Corporal Jeffrey Robert
Standfest. Before we do, I want to tell you a little bit about the life
of this brave young man.
Mr. Speaker, Corporal Standfest was described by those who knew him
as respectful, family-oriented, dedicated, hardworking, and the all-
American kid.
He was a runner at Saint Clair High School where he graduated in
2005. His success as a runner, along with his reputation as a leader,
continued during his time at Oakland University. In 2008, wanting to
follow in the footsteps of his grandfather who served our Nation during
World War II, Jeff enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was deployed to
Afghanistan as a combat engineer and a K9 handler. Tragically on June
16, Corporal Standfest and his canine, Sergeant Ruppert, were killed by
an IED. He was only 23 years old.
Mr. Speaker, we must always remember that the rights and freedoms we
as Americans hold dear are only secured through the courage and
sacrifice of those who serve. Eleven years later, his memory, his
courage, and his sacrifice are kept alive by his parents, Timothy and
Karen, and his sister, Jaclyn, all of whom knew him and loved him.
Mr. Speaker, this bill could never heal the wounds of losing him, but
passage of this bill will demonstrate to his loved ones that Congress
and this country will never forget his bravery and ultimate sacrifice.
Passage of this bill will ensure that the residents of Saint Clair will
always be reminded about their high school star runner, the all-
American kid who answered the call to serve and gave his life in
defense of this great country.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close.
Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Michigan
for coming down here to speak about such a brave American hero.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am prepared to close. I do
support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage and 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, H.R. 3613.
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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