Blake Farenthold

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Corpus Christi Veterans Band, under the direction of Ram Chavez, for being awarded Advocate of the Year by Corpus Christi Mayor's Committee for Veterans Affairs. The Corpus Christi Veterans Band performs all around the Coastal Bend to honor and pay tribute to America's military troops and veterans. The Corpus Christi Veterans Band has been performing for over 20 years at various ceremonies, receptions, tributes, and funerals and has demonstrated sincere dedication to honoring south Texas veterans. Their flag ceremony is one of the most moving performances I have ever attended. The men and women of the band personally fund their group to inspire patriotism and remind Americans of the courage and sacrifices that our servicemen and -women make to keep this great Nation free. Their constant dedication and support of our veterans, our community, and our Nation is one that every American can learn from. I'm proud to represent such a fine group of American patriots, the Corpus Christi Veterans Band.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am truly grateful for the brave and heroic service of Specialist Morris and the countless other veterans who sacrifice their time, the families that sacrifice their time, and the bravery and courage of all our veterans in serving our country and protecting our freedom. It is true that freedom is not free; and veterans like Specialist Matthew Troy Morris, whom we're proposing to name this post office after, are perfect examples of the bravery and courage of the American military. Specialist Morris was born on July 16, 1984, in Fairfax, Virginia. He later attended Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. Specialist Morris was in Iraq, serving as part of the Army's 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division based out of Fort Hood. Tragically, on April 6, 2008, at just 23 years of age, Specialist Morris was killed when the vehicle he was riding in hit an improvised makeshift bomb. Specialist Morris left behind his parents, three siblings, a fiancee, and dozens of other family and friends. For the bravery, courage, and heroism he displayed, Specialist Morris was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and National Service Defense Medal. Mr. Speaker, our Nation is eternally grateful for his sacrifice, and I urge all Members to join me in strong support of this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. With the observance of Veterans Day this past Friday, it is timely and fitting that we name this post office in Cedar Park for Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris, a Texan and a true American hero who gave his life courageously defending freedom. I would now like to yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague and friend from the great State of Texas, the sponsor of this legislation, Mr. Carter.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in strong support of H.R. 2415. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 2415, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta) would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11 Dock Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania, as the ``Trooper Joshua D. Miller Post Office Building.'' This bill is cosponsored by the entire Pennsylvania State delegation, and was favorably reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on the 3rd of November. Mr. Speaker, while we've considered multiple bills this afternoon to designate postal facilities for fallen military heroes, H.R. 2415 gives us the opportunity to honor those who wear a different kind of uniform--our country's law enforcement officers. Specifically, this legislation would name the post office in Pittston, Pennsylvania, for Joshua Miller, a Pennsylvania State trooper who was shot and killed in the line of duty on June 7, 2009. A veteran of the Marine Corps, Trooper Miller was attempting to save a 9-year-old boy from a man who had kidnapped a child at gunpoint when he was tragically shot by the suspect. For going above and beyond a police officer's duty to protect and serve, I thank Trooper Miller and all of those who wear the badge on a daily basis for their selfless service and dedication to our community. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of Pennsylvania, the sponsor of this legislation, Mr. Barletta.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2415) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11 Dock Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania, as the ``Trooper Joshua D. Miller Post Office Building''.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in urging strong support for this bill honoring our heroic veterans. There are never enough ways we can thank the veterans who served so bravely this country. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 2660, introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service at 122 North Holderrieth Boulevard in Tomball, Texas, as the ``Tomball Veterans Post Office.'' The bill is cosponsored by the entire Texas delegation, and, Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be an original cosponsor myself. There's no way a grateful nation can adequately express our thanks to those who serve. However, naming this post office in Tomball after those who serve is a small but fitting gesture to the brave men and women who are the reason this country is free. I commend my colleague from Texas for introducing this legislation. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague and friend from the great State of Texas, the sponsor of this bill, Mr. McCaul.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 2422, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Grimm), designating the postal facility at 45 Bay Street, Suite 2, in Staten Island as the ``Sergeant Angel Mendez Post Office,'' was introduced in July and favorably reported by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on November 3. Stories like that of Sergeant Mendez demonstrate the bravery and courage of all those who have served or are serving in our Armed Forces. I urge all Members to join me in strong support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Grimm).

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, 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.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2422) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Bay Street, Suite 2, in Staten Island, New York, as the ``Sergeant Angel Mendez Post Office''.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of Senate 1412, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. S. 1412, introduced by Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 462 Washington Street, Woburn, Massachusetts, as the ``Officer John Maguire Post Office.'' The bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent on October 20 and was reported favorably by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on November 3. Madam Speaker, John Maguire was born and raised in Woburn, Massachusetts, growing up in a home where his father was chief of police in Woburn for 15 years. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Officer Maguire was sworn in as a Woburn police officer by his own father in June of 1977. Wearing badge No. 23, which had been his father's badge number, Officer Maguire worked for over three decades as a tireless public servant, protecting the people of Woburn. On December 26 of last year, three armed men went into a department store in Woburn and proceeded to steal money and jewelry. Arriving on the scene to back up his fellow officers, Officer Maguire used his cruiser to block the gunmen who were fleeing on foot from the store. Exiting his vehicle, Officer Maguire and one of the suspects exchanged gunfire. Officer Maguire was able to kill the suspect; but, tragically, he was mortally wounded himself. Officer Maguire had celebrated his 60th birthday just 3 days prior to his death and was less than a year away from retirement. Madam Speaker, it is altogether fitting and proper that we name this post office in Woburn for Officer John Maguire. And to Officer Maguire and all those who wear a badge and courageously protect and serve our towns, cities, and counties each and every day, we are eternally grateful for all that you do and all that you sacrifice. I urge all Members to join me in strong support of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1412) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 462 Washington Street, Woburn, Massachusetts, as the ``Officer John Maguire Post Office''.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, at this point I would like to withdraw my motion.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 2079, introduced by the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10 Main Street in East Rockaway, New York, as the John J. Cook Post Office. This bill was introduced in June of this year and was favorably reported out of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on November 3. John J. Cook served the community of East Rockaway, New York, for more than six decades, working as a letter carrier at the facility to be named after him. Serving his community for 60 years and 4 months, Mr. Cook went above and beyond to serve his neighbors and exemplified professionalism and courtesy each and every day on the job. Mr. Cook delivered mail on the same route for nearly all of his 60 years on the job; and according to many in his community, he continually touched the lives of countless people spanning generations. According to one East Rockaway resident, he was ``the best.'' He knew all of his customers very well and gave personalized service throughout his career. The resident went on to say that ``they don't make people like him anymore.'' Sadly, Mr. Cook passed away in 2005 at the age of 78. He left behind his wife, Roberta, and many who will miss this true public servant and model postal employee. I urge all Members to join me in naming the postal facility in East Rockaway, New York, after John J. Cook; and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. I would like to ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.