To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 115 West Pine Street in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as the "Major Henry A. Commiskey, Sr. Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to present H.R. 2438, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 115 West Pine Street in Hattiesburg, Mississippi as the ``Major Henry A. Commiskey, Sr. Post Office Building''. The Hattiesburg City Council and the Forrest County Board of Supervisors requested through official resolutions that the downtown Hattiesburg Post Office be named for the late Major Commiskey, who received the Medal of Honor during his lifetime.

Henry Alfred Commiskey, Sr. was born in Hattiesburg on January 10, 1927. He attended the Sacred Heart School there and worked as a brakeman on the Illinois Central Railroad before joining the Marine Corps on January 12, 1944, two days after his 17th birthday. Commiskey participated in the February 1945 invasion of Iwo Jima during World War II, where he earned the Purple Heart for being wounded in action. He also received the Letter of Commendation for ``exhibiting high qualities of leadership and courage in the face of a stubborn and fanatical enemy.''

Commiskey remained in the Corps after the war and rose to the rank of staff sergeant to become a drill instructor at the Parris Island boot camp in South Carolina. He later graduated from Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant on September 10, 1949. He volunteered for combat service at the outbreak of the Korean War and was sent to Korea with the 1st Marine Regiment in August of 1950, where he participated in the Inchon landing. A few days later, on September 20, 1950, Commiskey earned the Medal of Honor for his heroism atop Hill 85 near Yongdungp'o, Korea, on the outskirts of Seoul.

Serving as a platoon leader in Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (reinforced), Second Lieutenant Commiskey spearheaded the assault that was ordered on forces that were well dug in on Hill 85. Charging up the steep slopes on the run into heavy enemy machine-gun and small arms fire, he ran ahead of his men and was the first to reach the crest of their objective. Armed only with a pistol, he jumped into a hostile machine-gun emplacement occupied by five enemy soldiers, engaged in hand-to-hand combat, and killed them all. He then moved to the next emplacement, where he killed two more enemy soldiers before leading his men on further to route their adversaries and take the hill.

Although Commiskey miraculously escaped harm during the assault on Hill 85, he was wounded a week later and then again on December 8, 1950. He was then returned to the United States for hospitalization and later promoted to first lieutenant in June of 1951. Commiskey was presented the Medal of Honor by President Truman at a White House ceremony on August 1, 1951, becoming the first Marine to be so awarded for extraordinary heroism in the Korean conflict. Commiskey then became a student naval aviator in September of 1951 at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. He received his wings at Corpus Christi, Texas in June of 1953 and later completed jet training at El Toro, California. He was promoted to captain in July of 1953. In April of 1954, Commiskey returned to Korea as a pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 21, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

Commiskey returned to the United States in September of 1954 and continued his service as a recruitment officer and as an instructor for the Marine Corps School at Quantico, Virginia. He was promoted to the rank of major in July of 1959 and retired from active duty in August of 1966. Major Henry A. Commiskey, Sr. died in Meridian, Mississippi on August 15, 1971.

Last year, I originally introduced House Resolution 5495, a bill that was identical to the measure currently before us. The previous bill passed the House at the very end of the 107th Congress, but did not make it through the Senate before time ran out and the session ended. Due to that fact, I then reintroduced the bill for the 108th Congress, and it was designated with a new number. The entire Mississippi House delegation signed on as original cosponsors of both bills, for which I am very grateful. I also thank both the majority and minority leadership of the House of Representatives and the Government Reform Committee for shepherding the bill through the House once more.

On behalf of our Nation, the State of Mississippi, the citizens of the Hattiesburg area, the local officials there, and the Commiskey family, it is my privilege to present this legislation to the United States Congress in honor of Major Henry A. Commiskey, Sr., his sacrifice, and his awe-inspiring service to his country.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2438, legislation naming a postal facility located at 115 West Pine Street in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, after Major Henry A. Commiskey, Sr. H.R. 2438, introduced by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) on June 11, 2003, was unanimously approved by our committee on July 10, 2003. The measure has met the Committee on Government Reform policy and has the support and cosponsorship of the entire Mississippi State congressional delegation.

Mr. Speaker, Henry A. Commiskey was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 1927. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17 during World War II and participated in the 1945 invasion of Iwo Jima, where he earned the Purple Heart. He remained in the corps after the war, rose to the rank of staff sergeant to become a drill instructor at Parris Island, and then graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1949.

Henry volunteered for combat service at the outbreak of the Korean War and was presented the distinguished Medal of Honor by President Truman in 1951 for leading a charge up Hill 85 in North Korea and killing seven enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand combat on September 20, 1950.

Henry A. Commiskey obtained the rank of major before retiring from the corps.

Last year, the Hattiesburg City Council and the Board of Supervisors for Forrest County, Mississippi, passed official resolutions requesting the assistance of the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) in renaming the city's downtown post office after the late Major Henry A. Commiskey, Sr., a long-time resident of the community and Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War.

I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Davis) and the gentleman from California (Ranking Member Waxman) and the House majority and minority leadership for moving this bill to the floor so expeditiously. I also commend my colleague, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) for seeking to honor the tremendous sacrifice of Major Commiskey.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) has been trying to get here, but he has been traveling from Mississippi and has not made it yet. He wanted to be here to speak in favor of this legislation. Unfortunately, he did not make it. So I will insert his statement in the Record at the appropriate place, and I urge swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2438) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 115 West Pine Street in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as the ``Major Henry A. Commiskey, Sr. Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 2438.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased that the House is considering H.R. 2438. This post office designation bill, introduced by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor), honors the service of Major Henry A. Commiskey, Sr.

Major Commiskey earned the Medal of Honor and a Purple Heart for his service to our Nation in the U.S. Marine Corps. Born on January 10, 1927, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, he enlisted in the Marines at age 17. He ultimately served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Major Commiskey earned the Purple Heart for his valor during the invasion of Iwo Jima in 1945.

After World War II ended, he returned safely home and continued to serve in the Marine Corps. He advanced to the rank of staff sergeant and became a drill instructor at Parris Island, South Carolina. When war broke out in Korea, he was shipped overseas again. For his tremendous efforts during the conflict in Korea, he earned the Medal of Honor.

Mr. Speaker, we owe so much to members of our Armed Forces who have fought for democracy and freedom throughout our Nation's history. Major Commiskey deserves all our thanks and praise, and this legislation is a way for the Members of this House to honor his brave legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 2438 that names a post office after the late Major Henry A. Commiskey, Sr.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 2, 2004, at 10:15 a.m., in closed session to receive a briefing on the situation in Iraq.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on ``The Role of State Securities Regulators in Protecting Investors.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce,

Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at 9:30 a.m. on fire fighting aircraft.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at 2:30 p.m. on nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 2, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., to hold a hearing on the Greater Middle East Initiative.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at 10 a.m. to hold a business meeting to consider pending Committee business.