[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14303-14305]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    CPL. JOHN P. SIGSBEE POST OFFICE

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 5975) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 101 West Main Street in Waterville, 
New York, as the ``Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5975

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

     SECTION 1. CPL. JOHN P. SIGSBEE POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 101 West Main Street in Waterville, New 
     York, shall be known and designated as the ``Cpl. John P. 
     Sigsbee 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 ``Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Post Office''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks.

[[Page 14304]]

  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, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as he might consume to the author of this legislation, 
Representative Arcuri of New York.
  Mr. ARCURI. I thank the gentleman.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5975, to rename 
the post office in Waterville, New York in memory of Corporal John P. 
Sigsbee.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with both incredible pride and sadness that I 
address the House today to speak on this bill that pays tribute to the 
life and sacrifice of one of this Nation's fallen soldiers, U.S. Army 
Corporal John Sigsbee.
  On January 16, 2008, Corporal Sigsbee of Waterville, New York was 
killed in action 50 miles north of Baghdad during his second tour of 
duty in Iraq.

                              {time}  1600

  The family he left behind while in the line of duty will soon receive 
his second Military Purple Heart on his behalf. Corporal Sigsbee was 
only 21 years old when his life was taken in service of our country.
  John Sigsbee graduated from Waterville Central School in 2004 and 
attended Mohawk Valley Community College. Upon completing his first 
year of college, John decided to join the U.S. Army to further finance 
his higher education and became wounded one month to the day during his 
first tour of duty in Iraq.
  John was sent home to recover at the Brooke Army Medical Center, 
where he was visited by Army personnel who awarded him for his bravery. 
These officers told John that he needed time to heal properly from the 
burns he suffered when his tank drove over two IEDs, and that he needed 
time to consider his decision to return to service. However, John 
replied, with his mother at his side, ``Give me one year and I'll be 
back.'' John did just that, and it was then that his mother started to 
know what ``sacrifice'' truly means.
  John went back and gave all that he had to give. In his mind, there 
was no question that his place was back with his fellow troops in Iraq 
to fulfill his responsibilities as a young American soldier.
  Corporal Sigsbee valiantly served as a member of the 32nd Cavalry 
Unit in the 101st Airborne Division, a dedicated young man who every 
day honored his responsibility to his country and his mission. Corporal 
Sigsbee's purpose and sacrifices will be remembered by the entire 
village of Waterville, county of Oneida and now, with passage of this 
bill, by the whole Nation.
  During calling hours and funeral arrangements for Corporal Sigsbee, 
his family and loved ones received an outpouring of gratitude and 
support by the village of Waterville. Over 2,000 citizens attended 
calling hours to pay their respects for this young American, and 300 
members from local veterans' organizations came to the local high 
school as a show of strength and unity for their fellow soldier. 
Additionally, a 50-car procession escorted his body from the Griffiss 
Airfield to Saratoga National Cemetery where he was laid to rest.
  On that day, January 25, 2008, Corporal Sigsbee received a true 
hero's welcome from not only his family and friends, but from people 
who did not know him yet wanted to give their thanks, thanks to a man 
who paid the ultimate price for their safety and their freedom. The 
renaming of this post office may be considered by some as a simple act 
by Congress. But it will forever symbolize to the village of Waterville 
and the citizens of Oneida County, and to future generations, the deep 
appreciation that this legislative body has for this man's life and 
contributions, and for the actions of each and every member of our 
Armed Services.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues today to support this legislation 
renaming the Waterville, New York, Post Office after and in honor of 
Corporal John P. Sigsbee and to forever honor the life of this soldier, 
son, brother and American hero.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 5975, designating the post office in 
Waterville, New York, as the Corporal John P. Sigsbee Post Office.
  In October 2005, Corporal Sigsbee joined the 101st Airborne Division 
32nd Cavalry Unit, based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, famously known as 
the home of the Screaming Eagles. After being deployed to Iraq, he was 
injured by a roadside bomb in July 2006. For his action, he was honored 
with the Purple Heart. After recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center, 
he insisted on returning to Iraq. Steve English, one of Corporal 
Sigsbee's high school teachers, said, ``John was doing something he 
knew was important. After being injured, he could have chosen to be 
assigned anywhere. He chose Iraq.'' English noted that it was indeed 
Corporal Sigsbee's commitment to his fellow soldiers that drove him to 
return to Iraq.
  Sadly, during his second deployment, Corporal Sigsbee was killed in 
action on January 16, 2008, along with two other American soldiers when 
they came under small arms fire and grenade attack in Balad. He was 
posthumously honored with a bronze star for his service and a promotion 
to the rank of corporal.
  Corporal John Patrick Sigsbee's life and tragic death have served as 
a rallying point for his community of Waterville, New York. By naming 
the new post office in his hometown after this brave young American, we 
will establish not only a permanent monument for this fallen soldier, 
but a permanent reminder of his example.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I rise to join my colleagues in the consideration 
and support of H.R. 5975, which renames a postal facility in 
Waterville, New York, after Corporal John P. Sigsbee.
  The measure being considered was first introduced by Congressman 
Michael Arcuri of New York on May 6, 2008, and is cosponsored by all 
members of the Empire State, the New York delegation. Upon introduction 
the measure was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, and on June 12, 2008, our committee approved the bill by voice 
vote.
  H.R. 5975 allows us to pay homage to the service of Corporal John P. 
Sigsbee who was tragically killed on January 16 while serving in Balad, 
Iraq. Corporal Sigsbee died as a result of wounds sustained from 
grenade and small-arms fire during combat operations.
  Assigned to the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade 
Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, 
Corporal Sigsbee joined the Army in October, 2005, and served his 
country valiantly up until the time of his death. For making the 
ultimate sacrifice of life, Corporal Sigsbee was awarded the Purple 
Heart which now rests with his parents, James and Susan Sigsbee, of 
Waterville, New York.
  Mr. Speaker, as we pay tribute to this heroic American citizen, let 
us also take a moment and recollect on the thousands of men and women 
in uniform currently serving abroad in order to protect us here in the 
homeland. I ask that we all proudly commemorate both the life and the 
unfortunate death of Corporal John P. Sigsbee by passing H.R. 5975.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this 
legislation, and 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 bill, H.R. 5975.
  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.

[[Page 14305]]



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