Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives U.S. Hou

For what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Mr. Rouda madam speaker, i move the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill h. R. 1844. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 1844, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 66 grove court in elgin, illinois, as the Corporal Alex martinez Memorial Post Office building. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman california, mr. Rouda, and the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Keller, will each control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california. Mr. Rouda thank you. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Rouda thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. Madam speaker, i am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of h. R. 1844, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 66 grove court in elgin, illinois, as the Corporal Alex martinez Memorial Post Office building. At this time i would like to yield such time as he may onsume to representative mr. Krishnamoorthi . Mr. Krishnamoorthi thank you, to congressman krishnamoorthi. Mr. Krishnamoorthi thank you. I rise in support of my own legislation, to designate the facility of the u. S. Postal service located at 66 grove court in elgin, illinois, as the Corporal Alex martinez Memorial Post Office building. Corporal Alex Martinez, a lifelong elgin resident, wanted to join the marine corps since he was a little boy. From a young age, he yearned to follow in the footsteps of his father, enrique martinez, who was a Longtime Navy reservist and an aunt who served in the army. As a senior in high school, with his whole life ahead of him, he decided to follow his dreams. He surprised his friends and family by attending Summer School to graduate early, enlist in the marine corps and marry his high school sweetheart, juliana martinez, at the age of 18. After graduation from basic training, Corporal Martinez was assigned to the first combat engineer battalion, first marine division, one marine egs expeditionary force, where he excelled as a combat engineer. In this role, he had the dangerous but crucial responsibility to guide Ground Forces away from lifethreatening obstacles such as lethal improvitesed explosive devices improvised explosive devices. On his second deployment on april 5, 2012, a unit that Corporal Martinez was guiding began receiving enemy fire. Despite facing an immediate threat to his own life, he continued to calmly and systemically clear lanes for marines to maneuver against the enemy. Tragically, Corporal Martinez was killed after an explosive device detonated in helmand province. In that moment, Alex Martinez became the first and only elgin nate to have fall in combat native to fall in combat since the terror attacks on september 11. While in afghanistan, Corporal Martinez would tell his loved ones his plans to start a family and to continue his Selfless Service by becoming a fireman or a Police Officer. But as a consequence of his sacrifices to this great nation, and the people who inhabit it, he never could pursue those dreams. Madam speaker, you and i and the many members of this chamber are fortunate to live in a diverse nation with innumerable freedoms. But we can only enjoy these freedoms and the peace and prosperity that accompany them because of the sacrifices made by Corporal Martinez and the millions of men and women who dedicate their lives to defend our democracy. To honor Corporal Martinezs honorable sacrifices to this country, to recognize the sacrifice of his loved ones, and to express solidarity with all Service Members and veterans of the United States, i strongly urge my colleagues to support h. R. 1844. Thank you, and i reserve the alance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois yields back. The gentleman from california reserves. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Kelly thank you, madam speaker. I yield my jerry kelly mr. Keller thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. I rise today in support of this bill, introduced by representative krishnamoorthi. This names the Postal Office in elgin, illinois, after alex mar ar tins. Alex martinez knew he was destined for pubsee military, f fathers footsteps. Then upon retirement, he would continue in Public Service as a Police Officer or firefighter. Shortly after high school, alex joined the United States marine corps, filling step one of his boyhood dream. After boot camp, he was assigned to the first combat engineer battalion, first marine division. Corporal martinez was deployed twice to afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring freedom. On april 5, 2012, Corporal Martinez was conducting combat operations in helmand province, afghanistan, and was killed after an explosive device detonated. While Corporal Martinezs life of service was tragically cut short, his sacrifice and bravery will not be forgotten. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania yields back. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Rouda madam speaker, i have no further speakers and urge all of my colleagues to support this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california yields back. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 1844. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid n the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Mr. Rouda madam speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill, h. R. 3305. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 3305, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service lobalingted at 2509 george mason drive in Virginia Beach, virginia, as the Ryan Keith Cox post office building. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from california, mr. Rouda, and the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Keller, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california. Mr. Keller mr. Rouda thank you, madam speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Rouda i yield myself such time as i may consume. Madam speaker, i am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of h. R. 3305, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2509 george mason drive in Virginia Beach, virginia, as the Ryan Keith Cox post office building. At this point, i yield such time as she may consume to representative luria of virginia to further explain her bill. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from virginia is recognized. Mrs. Luria thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to honor the life and heroic actions of Ryan Keith Cox. On may 31, the years largest mass shooting in america struck in our Virginia Beach community. Keith was amongst the 12 wonderful people who lost their lives in the tragedy. In his final moments, keith showed extraordinary bravery. Keith was an active and irreplaceable member of our community. He regularly attended his fathers church, new hope baptist church, where he sang in the choir with his renowned, golden voice. He had hopes to follow his calling and in his fathers footsteps and become a more active and become more active in the ministry. For 12 years, keith served in the city of Virginia Beach as a Public Utilities employee. His coworkers described him as someone who is always nice to others and treated colleagues to lunch. One colleague called keith a teddy bear who always knew what to say to make an upset colleague smile. Those who know him say keith embodied leadership. Keiths friends and family agree that he made his impact by putting the needs of others before his own. Keiths last day on earth was no different. During the shooting, keith led several of his coworkers to safety. Keith then refused to take refuge, stating, ive got to see if anyone else needs help. Keith stood watch and checked on his colleagues, voluntarily exposing himself to a deadly line of fire. One of keiths colleagues summed it up. If it wasnt for him, there would have been several more people who perished. In our communitys darkest hour, keith prioritized the safety of his colleagues over his own. He was a true servant leader who made the ultimate sacrifice. This is our chance to tell keiths story, to showcase his heroism to our community, our commonwealth, and our nation. I was proud to introduce this bill to name a local post office after keith. When we walk by that post office and see keiths name, well think of the sacrifice and of the lives that he saved. I thank the virginia delegation for supporting this Bipartisan Legislation to honor keiths legacy and impact on our Virginia Beach community. I urge support of this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from virginia yields back. The gentleman from california reserves. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Keller thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. I rise today in support of h. R. 3305, introduced by representative luria. The bill names a post Office Located in Virginia Beach, virginia, in honor of Ryan Keith Cox. Ryan keith cox served the city of Virginia Beach for 12 years. He worked in the Public Works Department as an accountant clerk until he was murdered saving the lives of his friends and coworkers earlier this year. On the morning of may 31, 2019, a City Employee resigned from his job at Municipal Building where cox worked. That afternoon the former employee returned with evil intentions. When a coworker ran into the office with news that there was an active shooter, keith remained calm and thought only of how to keep others, other coworkers safe. He led them to safety to a small room and directed them to barricade the door. Then, despite the danger, he continued to look for more of his colleagues. By the time the shooting stopped, keith was among the 12 innocent victims that were killed. His surviving colleagues remember him as a kind, softspoken, and big teddy bear. Keiths heroics will not be forgotten. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania yields back. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Rouda madam speaker, i encourage my colleagues to support this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california yields back. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 3305. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, and the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Mr. Rouda madam speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill, h. R. 2325. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 2325, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Calle Alondra in san juan, puerto rico, as the 65th infantry regiment post office building. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from california, mr. Rouda, and the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Keller, will each control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california. Mr. Rouda madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on this measure. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Rouda thank you. I yield myself such time as i may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of h. R. 2325, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Calle Alondra in san juan, puerto rico, as the 65th infantry regiment post office building. In 18 9, a year 1899, a year after the spanish american war, congress authorized the creation of a unit of volunteer soldiers in the New Territory of puerto rico. Redesignated in 1920 as the 65th infantry regiment of the United States army, this unit served admirably in world war ii and the korean war. In world war ii, the 65th infantry regiment suffered casualties defending against enemy attacks with regiment members earning one distinguished service cross, two civil two silver stars, two bronze stars and 90 purple hearts. In the korean war, when General Macarthur ordered the evacuation of an enclave, the 65th infantry regiment played a crucial role. And ultimately under the regiments protection, 105,000 troops and 100,000 refugees were evacuated. These brave americans protected the very foundation of this great country. Naming a post office to honor the 65th infantry regiment who served and sacrificed for us is but a small price of what these brave men and Women Deserve from the country to whom they have given so much. Madam speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california reserves. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Keller thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. I would like to recognize my friend from puerto rico, miss gonzalezcolon, for as much time as she may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from puerto rico is recognized. Miss gonzalezcolon thank you, madam speaker. And thank you, congressman keller, for the opportunity. Im very humbled but at the same time very proud to rise in slaort of h. R. 2325, length legislation i introduced to designate the United States postal facility Postal Service facility located in san juan, puerto rico, as the 65th infantry regiment post office building. Sort shortly after puerto rico became a u. S. Territory in 1898, congress authorized the creation of a unit of volunteers , soldiers, on the island. Then in 1920s, the unit was redesignated as the 65th indiana fantry regiment of the United States infantry regiment of the United States army. It served as the nations last segregated unit, composed mainly of hispanic soldiers coming from puerto rico. Rs of this regiment, regiment represent the best of our islands proud and rich tradition of military service. Despite the relatively limited combat service in world war ii, the regiment suffered casualties defending against enemy attacks. Soldiers from this unit earned one distinguished service cross, two silver stars, two bronze stars and 90 purple hearts. During the korean war that the 65th recommending meant came to be widely known and admired. Fromg as a segregated unit 1950 to 1952, they participated in the toughest battles of the war. They were engineers, not only fought the enemies but had to overcome negative stereotypes held by their commanders and fellow soldiers. Brigadier general william harris, who commanded the regular meant during the korean war, recalled that he had been reluctant to assume command of the unit just because of the prejudice within the military, but that experience eventually led him to regard the members of the 65th infantry recommending meant as the best soldiers he ever seen. Eneral douglas macarthur, sill similarly say that