[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 1491-1492]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           LANCE CORPORAL DREW W. WEAVER POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3248) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, as 
the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3248

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

     SECTION 1. LANCE CORPORAL DREW W. WEAVER POST OFFICE 
                   BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, 
     Missouri, shall be known and designated as the ``Lance 
     Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building''.
       (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 ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post 
     Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 
within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous 
material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KELLY. H.R. 3248, introduced by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Akin), would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, as the 
Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building. This bill is 
cosponsored by the entire Missouri State delegation and was reported 
favorably by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on 
November 3 of last year.
  Mr. Speaker, it is altogether fitting and proper that we name this 
post office in Saint Charles for Marine Corps Lance Corporal Weaver, a 
selfless patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq at just 20 
years of age. Remembered by many for his tenacious spirit, the ability 
to find the positive in every situation, Mr. Speaker, for being a true 
hero, Mr. Speaker, I could not agree more.
  Lance Corporal Weaver and all of our brave and courageous fighting 
men and women are true heroes, and I'm thankful to have this 
opportunity to stand before this Chamber and express my sincere 
gratitude for all that our servicemembers do and all that they 
sacrifice each and every day.
  I will now yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished 
colleague and friend from the State of Missouri, the sponsor of this 
legislation, Mr. Akin.

[[Page 1492]]


  Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3248, a 
bill I introduced to honor the life of Drew W. Weaver by designating 
the post office in Saint Charles, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal 
Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building.''
  A resident of Saint Charles, Missouri, Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver 
was part of the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine 
Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. On February 21, 2007, Lance 
Corporal Weaver died while conducting combat operations in the al Anbar 
province of Iraq. As Captain Mark C. Brown noted, Drew was ``known for 
his enthusiasm and his ability to motivate the people around him.''
  Drew's contribution to his country was honored by his community when 
hundreds of people showed up to his memorial service and procession. A 
graduate of Saint Charles West High School, friends and family of Drew 
remember him as an energetic young man who was eager to serve his 
country. Ryan Hanson, his best friend and a fellow serviceman, said, 
``Drew loved what he was doing and was proud of what he was doing in 
the Marine Corps.''
  As the father of three marines, one of whom has served in Iraq, it is 
a privilege to stand here today to honor one of our fallen marines.
  Drew's commitment and dedication to his country is a shining example 
of how our military men and women are the finest the Nation has to 
offer. His and his family's sacrifice should serve as a reminder to all 
of us that the freedom we enjoy as Americans is not free but the result 
of tremendous bravery and selfless service of men and women willing to 
put themselves in harm's way for freedom's cause.
  As Reverend James Benz noted during Drew's funeral, ``I think we can 
learn from them that the freedom we enjoy in this country is precious, 
that it is special, and that it must be preserved sometimes at great 
personal cost.''
  Our Nation will be forever indebted to Lance Corporal Drew Weaver. 
Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring Lance 
Corporal Drew Weaver. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3248.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As 
a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I'm pleased 
to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 3248, which 
designates the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 112 South 
5th Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, as the Lance Corporal Drew W. 
Weaver Post Office Building.
  This legislation was introduced in October of 2011 by my colleague 
and friend, Representative Todd Akin of Missouri, and considered and 
reported out of the committee by a voice vote on November 3, 2011. 
Additionally, along with all of my fellow members of the Missouri 
delegation, we are proud to be cosponsors of this bill.

                              {time}  1710

  As was mentioned, Weaver was a native of St. Charles, Missouri. He 
bravely served with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st 
Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force out of 29 Palms, 
California. On February 21, 2008, the young marine was killed in action 
in al Anbar province, Iraq, while conducting combat operations in 
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, Lance Corporal Drew Weaver's life and service stand as a 
testament to the strength and support of his devoted family. He is a 
fine example of the bravery and dedication of the young men and women 
who have joined him in serving this Nation and in making the ultimate 
sacrifice. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest 
traditions of the military service, and it reflects great credit upon 
himself, his unit, and the United States Marine Corps.
  It is my hope that we can honor this outstanding marine through the 
passage of this legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting the passage of H.R. 3248.
  Mr. Speaker, having no additional speakers, once again, I urge the 
adoption of H.R. 3248 in honor of Lance Corporal Drew Weaver, who gave 
his life in service to our country.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I am truly grateful for the brave and heroic 
service of Lance Corporal Weaver. Let us not forget the ultimate 
sacrifice that he and so many other young Americans have made in 
promoting freedom and in protecting our great Nation. I urge all 
Members of this House to join me in strong support 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 Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3248.
  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. KELLY. 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, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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