To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 304 West Michigan Street in Stuttgart, Arkansas, as the "Lloyd L. Burke Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3059) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 304 West Michigan Street in Stuttgart, Arkansas, as the ``Lloyd L. Burke Post Office''.

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 H.R. 3059.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3059 designates the Stuttgart, Arkansas, postal facility as the Lloyd L. Burke Post Office. All members of the Arkansas congressional delegation have signed on as cosponsors to this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, through this point in the 108th Congress, the House has passed 43 meaningful bills that name post offices after physicians, after political leaders, athletes, military servicemen and certainly other worthy individuals as well, but we may never consider a commemorative piece of legislation that honors a braver person than Lloyd Burke.

Colonel Lloyd Burke served in the Army during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. Most notably, he was a legitimate hero of the Korean War. Facing a battle over a strategic hill outside of Seoul, then Lieutenant Burke led a group of only 35 battle-weary American soldiers toward a brigade of over 300 Korean fighters in December of 1951. On this day, Lloyd Burke practically defeated this overwhelming enemy force with only his bare hands.

Lloyd Burke led the charge against the Korean brigade by firing his rifle and throwing grenades. He attacked enemy trenches all by himself, clearing out enemy machine gun positions. During his attack, his rifle jammed, and then he was forced to catch three grenades thrown at him and hurled them back at the enemy soldiers. He ultimately manipulated his rifle and returned it to working order, firing it until he ran out of ammunition. At that point, he used only his pistol to attack the heavily armed Korean soldiers.

Burke's bravery inspired his fellow troops. When the dust settled, most of the 300 enemy soldiers had been killed and the remaining Army troops had captured the hill. It was estimated that Lloyd Burke had killed 100 of the enemy himself. It was an unbelievable scene, and an important strategic victory for the 5th Cavalry Regiment that day.

Mr. Speaker, when Lloyd Burke returned home the following spring, President Harry S. Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor at the White House on April 11, 1952. Many years later, Colonel Burke was a guest of another President here in Washington, President Bill Clinton, at the dedication of the Korean War Memorial in July of 1995. These were two highly deserved honors for a serviceman to whom all Americans owe a debt of gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, Lloyd Burke passed away in his sleep at the age of 74 at his home in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on June 1, 1999. Therefore, I want to commend the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry) for working to permanently honor Colonel Lloyd L. Burke with this post office dedication. Colonel Burke's bravery and commitment to his country was above and beyond the call of duty, and therefore I am pleased today that the House remembers his service today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3059.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to rise to ask for support of H.R. 3059, a bill to designate the Stuttgart, Arkansas, post office, as the Lloyd L. Burke Post Office.

Mr. Burke was born in Tichnor, Arkansas, a small community in the south end of Arkansas County. He later graduated from Stuttgart High School in 1942 and served his country during World War II and the Korean War.

Mr. Burke was a hero to this great Nation. His unselfish acts during times of conflict have already been recognized with the Congressional Medal of Honor for his outstanding courage while serving as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Over the past year, I have received numerous letters from citizens of Stuttgart citing undeniable reasons why they would be honored to name their postal facility after Mr. Burke. I would like to read to you a description of the incidents for which Mr. Burke received the Medal of Honor, as I feel this account best displays his courageous and selfless nature during his service in the Korean War.

``On October 28, 1951, intense enemy fire had pinned down leading elements of Mr. Burke's company committed to securing commanding ground when the First Lieutenant left the command post to rally and urge the men to follow him toward three bunkers, impending the advance.

``Dashing to an exposed vantage point, he threw several grenades at the bunkers, returned for an M-1 rifle and adaptor, and made a lone assault, wiping out the position and killing the crew. Closing on the center bunker, he lobbed grenades through the opening, and with his pistol, killed three of its occupants attempting to surround him.

``Ordering his men forward, he charged the third emplacement, catching several grenades in midair and hurling them back at the enemy. Inspired by his display of valor, his men stormed forward and overran the hostile position, but were again pinned down by increased fire.

``Securing a light machine gun and three boxes of ammunition, First Lieutenant Burke dashed through the impacted area to an open knoll, set up his gun and poured crippling fire into the ranks of the enemy, killing at least 75. Although wounded, he ordered more ammunition, reloaded and destroyed two mortar emplacements and a machine gun position with his accurate fire. Cradling the weapon in his arms, he then led his men forward, killing some 25 more of the retreating enemy and securing the objective.

``First Lieutenant Burke's heroic action and daring exploits inspired a small force of 35 troops, resulting in victory over the enemy. His unflinching courage and outstanding leadership reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the United States Army.''

Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better tribute to Mr. Burke than to allow his name to live on in the City of Stuttgart. The heroism displayed on October 28, 1951, was an invaluable contribution to his city, the State of Arkansas, and this great Nation for which he served so admirably.

I ask that Members please support H.R. 3059 in honor of Mr. Burke's patriotic achievements.

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.

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

Mr. Speaker, when I lived in Arkansas, we used to call Stuttgart the ``rice, duck and mosquito capital of the world.''

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry), the author of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I will close by just simply saying that as we celebrate Military Appreciation Month, I can think of no better way to do that than by naming a post office in honor of Lloyd Burke, whose display of courage is an indication of all that has made this Nation the great Nation that it is. I strongly support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 81 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''