[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 955-957]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      LARRY S. PIERCE POST OFFICE

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the Senate bill (S. 2110) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 427 North Street in Taft,

[[Page 956]]

California, as the ``Larry S. Pierce Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
  The text of the Senate bill is as follows:

                                S. 2110

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

     SECTION 1. LARRY S. PIERCE POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 427 North Street in Taft, California, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Larry S. Pierce 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 ``Larry S. Pierce Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and 
extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Government Reform and 
Oversight, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of S. 
2110, which names the postal facility in the town of Taft, California, 
after Larry S. Pierce.
  S. 2110, which was introduced in the Senate by Senator Dianne 
Feinstein of California on September 27, 2007, and passed by the 
Chamber with unanimous consent on November 16, 2007, was considered and 
reported out of the Oversight Committee by voice vote on December 12, 
2007.
  Mr. Speaker, the bill before us seeks to pay tribute to a great 
American serviceman by requesting that the postal facility in Taft, 
California, be renamed in honor of Staff Sergeant Larry Pierce, who 
lost his life at the young age of 24 while fighting for our country in 
the Vietnam War. A recipient of the Medal of Honor, Staff Sergeant 
Pierce stands as a reminder to us all of the great sacrifice our men 
and women in uniform are making on a daily basis to protect America.
  And so, Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues from California in 
recognizing the contributions of Staff Sergeant Larry S. Pierce and 
urge swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume. I rise today to honor the memory of Army Staff Sergeant Larry 
Pierce, a true American hero.
  Larry Pierce was raised in Taft, California. He would have graduated 
from Taft Union High School in 1959, but he chose to enlist in the Army 
in 1958. Seven years later, having achieved the rank of staff sergeant, 
Larry found himself in Vietnam as the squad leader of a reconnaissance 
platoon. On September 20, 1965, his squad was on patrol when it was 
ambushed by hostile forces. Thanks to Staff Sergeant Pierce's 
leadership and courage, the squad successfully repelled the attack, 
driving the enemy away. While in pursuit of the enemy, Pierce's squad 
came across a dirt road. It was on this road Sergeant Pierce discovered 
an anti-personnel mine. Knowing it would destroy the majority of his 
squad who was not aware of its presence, Sergeant Pierce threw himself 
completely on top of the mine. In this act of unbelievable bravery, 
Sergeant Pierce saved the lives of all his squad, while sacrificing his 
own. For his actions he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 
He left behind a wife and three children.
  Sergeant Pierce represents the very best in the tradition of service 
and selflessness of our Armed Forces. It is fitting that we name this 
post office in his hometown of Taft, California, in his honor. Surely, 
his story can live as an example of what it truly means to be a hero.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would continue to reserve.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to recognize 
the author of the companion bill that was dropped here in the House, 
the distinguished colleague of mine from California (Mr. McCarthy) for 
as much time as he may consume.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of the legislation, S. 2110, to designate the United States 
Post Office located at 427 North Street in Taft, California, as the 
Larry S. Pierce Post Office, the true hometown hero.
  U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Pierce was born in Oklahoma in 1941. As a 
young child, his family moved to Taft, California, which I represent 
today. Sergeant Pierce attended Taft city schools and would have 
graduated from Taft Union High School with the class of 1959 but 
decided to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army in 1958.
  Sergeant Pierce served in the 1st Battalion Airborne, 503rd Infantry 
and the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Vietnam War.
  On September 20, 1965, near Ben Cat in Vietnam, Sergeant Pierce was 
leading his reconnaissance platoon, was ambushed by hostile forces. 
Sergeant Pierce and his squad successfully routed the hostile forces 
from their location. During pursuit of this enemy, Sergeant Pierce 
heroically sacrificed his own life to save his men. He came upon a road 
where they found a mine. He threw himself upon it knowing that if this 
mine went off, it would destroy many and take many lives of his own 
men.
  Upon hearing of this and upon his death, in February of 1966 
President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded Sergeant Pierce the Medal of Honor. 
In this award, he went on to say for his ``inspiring leadership and 
personal courage,'' and his ``profound concern for his fellow 
soldiers,'' acting with ``extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his 
life'' and to ``great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his 
country.''
  Sergeant Pierce would have been 66 years old this year. He is 
survived by his wife, Verlin, who currently lives in Bakersfield, 
California; his children, Teresa, Kelley and Gregory.
  This legislation is a fitting honor for a Vietnam War veteran who 
sacrificed his life to save the lives of fellow soldiers by naming the 
post office in his hometown of Taft in his memory.
  I do want to thank Senator Feinstein for introducing this legislation 
and for working with me. Taft is a place where Senator Feinstein's own 
father worked. She knows of the work of Sergeant Larry Pierce, the 
hometown hero, as many have gone on to say.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a copy of Staff Sergeant Larry 
Pierce's Medal of Honor and a copy of the Taft City Council letter of 
support and resolution requesting the post office in his name.

                   U.S. Army--Medal of Honor Citation


                            PIERCE, LARRY S.

       Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Headquarters 
     and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d 
     Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Place and date: Near Ben 
     Cat, Republic of Vietnam, 20 September 1965. Entered service 
     at: Fresno, Calif. Born: 6 July 1941, Wewoka, Okla. G.O. No.: 
     7, 24 February 1966. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and 
     intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of 
     duty. Sgt. Pierce was serving as squad leader in a 
     reconnaissance platoon when his patrol was ambushed by 
     hostile forces. Through his inspiring leadership and personal 
     courage, the squad succeeded in eliminating an enemy 
     machinegun and routing the opposing force. While pursuing the 
     fleeing enemy, the squad came upon a dirt road and, as the 
     main body of his men entered the road, Sgt. Pierce discovered 
     an antipersonnel mine emplaced in the road bed. Realizing 
     that the mine could destroy the majority of his squad, Sgt. 
     Pierce saved the lives of his men at the sacrifice of his 
     life by throwing himself directly onto the mine as it 
     exploded. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard 
     for his safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, 
     he averted loss of life and injury to the members of his 
     squad. Sgt.

[[Page 957]]

     Pierce's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, are 
     in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great 
     credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
                                  ____



                                                 City of Taft,

                                     Taft, CA, September 10, 2007.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Sir: The City Council of the City of Taft, at their regular 
     meeting on September 4, 2007, unanimously passed Resolution 
     No. 2986-07, which requests that The Congress of the United 
     States of America name the Taft Post Office ``The Larry S. 
     Pierce Post Office''.
       Enclosed is a certified copy of the Resolution and a brief 
     biography of SSG Pierce, and the City Council of the City of 
     Taft urges you to introduce legislation in the United States 
     House of Representatives to implement this name change. SSG 
     Pierce is an honored son of Taft and the citizens of Taft 
     wish to remember him in this manner.
       A similar request is being sent to California State Senator 
     Dianne Feinstein for introduction of legislation in the 
     Senate. If you need any additional information about SSG 
     Pierce or the City of Taft, please feel free to contact me.
           Very truly yours,
                                                   Louise Hudgens,
                                                       City Clerk.

    A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Taft Requesting 
 Congress of the United States of America To Name the Taft Post Office 
                  ``The Larry S. Pierce Post Office''

       Whereas, Larry S. Pierce was born July 6, 1941, in Wewoka, 
     Oklahoma, and as a young child moved with his family to Taft, 
     California and attended Taft City Schools and Taft Union High 
     School; and
       Whereas, Larry S. Pierce would have graduated with the Taft 
     Union High School class of 1959; however, he chose instead to 
     serve his country and joined the United States Army in 1958 
     and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Headquarters 
     and Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry 
     Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade; and
       Whereas, on September 20, 1965, near Ben Cat in the 
     Republic of Vietnam, Larry S. Pierce, while serving as a 
     squad leader, gave the ultimate sacrifice by smothering the 
     blast of an anti-personnel mine with his body to protect his 
     fellow soldiers; and
       Whereas, on February 24, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson, 
     36th President of the United States, posthumously awarded 
     Staff Sergeant Pierce the Medal of Honor, which was accepted 
     by Pierce's wife, Verlin, daughter Teresa, and sons Kelley 
     and Gregory; and
       Whereas, a portion of the Medal of Honor citation reads, 
     ``Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his 
     safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, he 
     averted loss of life and injury to the members of his squad. 
     Sgt. Pierce's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, 
     are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect 
     great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his 
     country''; and
       Whereas, Taft has faithfully supported its sons and 
     daughters who have served in the military, particularly those 
     who have gone in harm's way; and it is fitting and 
     appropriate that a community with such values should 
     conspicuously honor its heroes; and
       Whereas, specifically the citizens of Taft, California, 
     wish to honor the memory of Larry S. Pierce by naming the 
     Taft Post Office, 427 North Street, Taft, California 93268 
     after him. Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, The City Council of the City of Taft does hereby 
     request The Congress of the United States of America to name 
     the Taft Post Office, ``The Larry S. Pierce Post Office''.

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, at this time I have no further 
speakers, and I urge all Members to support the passage of S. 2110.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time and urge the passage of this bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the Senate bill, S. 2110.
  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. DAVIS of Illinois. 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 and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

                          ____________________