[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19756-19757]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  PRIVATE ISAAC T. CORTES POST OFFICE

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 6205) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 1449 West Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the 
``Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6205

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

     SECTION 1. PRIVATE ISAAC T. CORTES POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 1449 West Avenue in Bronx, New York, shall 
     be known and designated as the ``Private Isaac T. Cortes 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 ``Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Chu) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I 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 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1500

  Ms. CHU. I now yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6205, a bill to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1449 West 
Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office. 
H.R. 6205 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from New York, 
Representative Joseph Crowley, on September 23, 2010. The measure 
enjoys the support of New York's entire delegation to the House.
  A native of the Bronx, Private Isaac T. Cortes held several jobs 
before enlisting in the Army. He was very proud to work as a security 
guard at Yankee Stadium and at one point hoped to become an officer 
with the New York City Police Department. He enlisted with the Army in 
November 2006 to gain experience that would help him achieve that goal, 
but later decided to become a career military man.

[[Page 19757]]

  Private Cortes served as an infantryman with the 1st Squadron, 71st 
Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, 
Light Infantry, based out of Fort Drum, New York. He was a Humvee 
driver and performed operator-level maintenance on the vehicle. While 
overseas in Iraq, he participated in mountain Humvee and dismounted 
walking patrols. Private Cortes engaged in weapons cache searches and 
humanitarian aid missions to the local Iraqi people.
  Sadly, on November 27, 2007, Private Cortes was one of two soldiers 
killed when an improvised explosive device was detonated as his vehicle 
rode past Amerli, Iraq, about 100 miles north of Baghdad. His awards 
and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, National 
Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism 
Service Medal, and Army Service Medal.
  He is survived by his parents, Emily and Isaias, his younger brother 
Christopher, a young daughter Amaria, and a large extended family. They 
remember Private Cortes as the kid who would help elders carry 
groceries, the young man who would play with his younger cousins, and 
the father who wanted to be the best he could be for his young child. 
Today we also remember him as the soldier who made the ultimate 
sacrifice for his country.
  Mr. Speaker, let us now pay tribute to the life and service of 
Private Isaac T. Cortes by designating the postal facility on West 
Avenue in the Bronx in his honor.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6205.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6205, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1449 West 
Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office.
  Mr. Speaker, Private Cortes was born and raised in the Bronx and 
joined the Army in November of 2006. After basic training, he was 
assigned to the 10th Mountain Division based out of Fort Drum, New 
York. In September 2007, Private Cortes deployed to Iraq to support 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. And sadly, Mr. Speaker, less than 2 months 
later, on November 27, 2007, Private Cortes died when the vehicle he 
was riding in was struck by an improvised explosive device. Private 
Cortes was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star to honor his 
bravery and courage.
  Mr. Speaker, it is altogether fitting and proper that we name this 
post office to honor Private Cortes. This was a man who made the 
ultimate sacrifice for his country, fighting for our freedom and the 
freedom of the Iraqi people. The least we can do is honor his memory by 
naming this post office after him. I join all Members to join me in 
strong support of this bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6205, to honor 
Private Isaac T. Cortes, a Bronx native who was killed in combat in 
Iraq.
  This legislation would rename the post office in his hometown in his 
honor.
  Private Cortes was a son of the Bronx--he grew up in the Parkchester 
neighborhood, attending local public schools and Christopher Columbus 
High School.
  His love for his hometown led him to work as a security guard at 
Yankee Stadium, a job that he was so proud to hold and that inspired 
him to a lifetime of service. While planning to become a New York City 
Police Officer, he decided to strengthen his skills and serve his 
country by joining the U.S. Army in 2006.
  Private Cortes knew that this choice was dangerous. He also knew he 
would likely be sent to Iraq.
  His family worried for him, but he knew what he had to do.
  After training at Fort Benning and Fort Drum, Private Cortes was sent 
to Iraq in September of 2007. As a rifleman in the Infantry Squad with 
Charlie Troop, 1-71 Cavalry Squadron, Private Cortes performed weapons 
searches and humanitarian aid missions to help the local Iraqi people.
  He loved the Army, and was prepared to make it his career. His family 
has described how proud he was to protect his country. He said the 
military was his ``calling.''
  On November 27, 2007, just after Thanksgiving, Private Cortes was out 
on one of his combat patrols when an improvised explosive device was 
detonated near his vehicle in Amerli, Iraq--about 100 miles north of 
Baghdad.
  Private Cortes was killed instantly, along with Specialist Benjamin 
Garrison, in the roadside attack. He was only 26 years old.
  His awards and honors include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the 
National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War 
on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
  The Bronx, the Congress and the Nation will always remember Private 
Cortes as a decorated soldier. But, I would also like to take a moment 
to ensure we forever remember Isaac, the man.
  Isaac lived by the motto ``Go big or go home.'' He was known for his 
big heart and his loving ways, which his family continues in his honor 
through blood donation events and clothing, food and toy drives.
  He was known to his neighbors as a smiling face and a helpful hand, 
always willing to help carry groceries.
  Even while overseas, his family was always in his heart, including 
his parents, grandparents, brother, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. 
And above all, he loved the little girl that he raised as his own 
daughter.
  His family has kept his memory alive, and today we take the next step 
in honoring this Bronx native and his service to the United States.
  Renaming the post office in the neighborhood where he grew up after 
him will serve as a reminder to us all of his courage, integrity and 
sacrifice. This legislation will ensure that his service and his spirit 
will never be forgotten.
  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this measure.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 6205.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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