[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 7790-7791]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   ZACHARY SMITH POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 5051) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 23 Genesee Street in Hornell, New York, as the 
``Zachary Smith Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5051

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

     SECTION 1. ZACHARY SMITH POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 23 Genesee Street in Hornell, New York, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Zachary Smith Post 
     Office Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, or other record of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the ``Zachary Smith Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Towns) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and to extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, it is with a heavy heart that I present H.R. 5051 
for consideration. This measure designates the United States postal 
building located at 23 Genesee Street in Hornell, New York, as the 
``Zachary Smith Post Office Building.''
  On January 24, 2010, while on patrol in southern Afghanistan, Lance 
Corporal Zachary Smith, a marine with the 2nd Platoon, C Company, 1st 
Battalion, 6th Marines, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, made 
the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He had been awarded a Purple 
Heart by President Obama for his selfless service.
  Zachary Smith was born on April 2, 1990, to his parents, Christopher 
and Kim Smith, in Hornell, New York, where he lived along with his 
brother and sister, Nathaniel and Grace Smith. Zach attended Hornell 
High School and graduated in 2008. Fulfilling his lifelong dream, 
Zachary enlisted in the Marines while still in high school. After 
graduation, Zach left for basic training, but not before marrying his 
high school sweetheart, Anne Deebs. They were wed on July 25, 2009, and 
Zach completed boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, before going 
on to graduate from the Marine Corps School of Infantry.
  Described as a gifted athlete by friends, Zach was on the Hornell 
High School football and golf teams throughout his 4 years of high 
school. He was a member of Twin Hickory Golf Club and also Hornell Golf 
Club. He enjoyed watching sporting events and especially liked to root 
for the New York Giants, the New York Yankees, and the Syracuse 
Orangemen. He was also a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a 
communicant of St. Ann's Church. Those who knew him say he was a 
genuine, humorous, and outgoing

[[Page 7791]]

young man who enthusiastically embraced life. He always cared more for 
others than he did for himself and would go out of his way to help 
anyone who needed his help.
  The world would be a better place if it had more young men like Zach. 
His service to his country is an example we all should follow, and we 
owe him a debt of gratitude for his service and his sacrifice. Please 
join me in honoring Zach's memory by supporting this bill. The people 
of Hornell will be reminded of Zach's courage and valor every day as 
they pass by the post office building named in his honor.
  H.R. 5051 was introduced by the gentleman from New York, 
Representative Joseph Crowley, on April 15, 2010. The measure was 
referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which 
ordered it reported by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. The measure 
enjoys the support of the entire New York State delegation. I thank the 
gentleman for introducing this bill, and I'm sure that it means a great 
deal to Lance Corporal Smith's family and his friends. I also thank the 
gentleman from California, Congressman Issa, and all the members of the 
committee, especially, that worked to make this a reality and, of 
course, Mr. Issa for his support in bringing this measure to the floor 
today as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this measure honoring a 
fallen soldier who gave his life for his country.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 5051, designating the United States 
Postal Service building located at 23 Genesee Street in Hornell, New 
York, as the Zachary Smith Post Office Building. Funny. Dedicated. 
Hardworking. These are but a few of the words of praise that arise when 
friends and family speak of the memory of Lance Corporal Zachary Smith.
  Zachary Smith, a native of Hornell, New York, was born on April 2, 
1990. A graduate of Hornell High School, he loved sports and played on 
the football and golf teams. After graduation, Zach followed his 
lifelong dream of serving our country and enlisted in the United States 
Marine Corps. He was assigned to the 2nd Platoon, C Company, 1st 
Battalion, 6th Marines, and deployed to Afghanistan on December 17, 
2009. Tragically, after only serving in Afghanistan for 1 month, he 
gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country in combat on January 24, in 
the Helmand province. Zach was only 19 years old.
  Described by his childhood friend as someone who always lifted 
everyone's spirits, Zach served his family, community, and country with 
selfless devotion. He leaves behind his wife, Anne Smith; parents, 
Chris and Kim Smith; brother, Nate; and sister, Grace. I rise today in 
honor not only of a tremendous patriot but an outstanding citizen.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution in honor of a valiant 
life that should not, and will not, soon be forgotten by a grateful 
Nation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on that note, I would say to my colleagues 
that I think this is a very honorable thing to do, and I think we all 
should applaud Mr. Smith and the Smith family for his outstanding 
service.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5051, a 
measure to designate the post office at 23 Genesee Street in Hornell, 
New York. The new name of the post office will be the ``Zachary Smith 
Post Office Building''. I would like to thank my colleagues from New 
York--who en masse sponsored this initiative.
  Zachary Smith was a selfless and brave young man who gave his life 
for his country at the age of 19. He made the ultimate sacrifice on 
behalf of the American people while serving in Operation Enduring 
Freedom in Afghanistan, and the U.S. House of Representatives honors 
both Zachary and his family through this resolution. For those who knew 
Zachary, January 24, 2010 will be forever remembered as a day of 
sadness, but also a day of pride--pride in a courageous young man who 
exhibited the Marine Corps motto: Semper Fidelis.
  Zachary was not only a soldier--he was an athlete, a brother, a son 
and a husband. By all accounts, he was an admired member of the Hornell 
community, setting a strong example for members of his school and his 
family. He was responsible at home and kind to others where he attended 
Hornell High School, graduating in 2008. He loved football, golf and 
spending time with his family.
  Zachary's life, and the profound, genuine loss felt by those who 
loved him, cannot be repaired by designating this post office. However, 
by supporting this resolution, we can help ensure that future 
generations will learn of Zachary's integrity and courage. Zachary made 
his home a better place. Zachary made Hornell a better place. Zachary 
made America a better place. He can never be replaced, but we can do 
our part to honor his memory and the ideals he stood for by passing 
this resolution today and honoring Zachary Smith, a real hometown hero.
  Mr. TOWNS. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5051.
  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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