To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 475 Kell Farm Drive in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, as the "Richard G. Wilson Processing and Distribution Facility".

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, first I would like very much to thank my colleagues from the Committee on Government Reform for so swiftly passing this very important bill out of the committee. I know that the family of Private First Class Wilson is very proud at this moment, and will be even prouder when we pass this bill later today.

I do have the honor, Mr. Speaker, to speak on behalf of this bill to honor a true American hero from the district I represented in southern Missouri.

H.R. 4037 would dedicate the Cape Girardeau Processing and Distribution Facility for mail to hometown and American hero Private First Class Richard G. Wilson. I know that my other colleagues who have spoken have mentioned some of the important things that Private First Class Wilson did, but I would like to mention them once again.

Private First Class Wilson joined thousands of courageous soldiers who fought in the Korean War when he enlisted in the United States Army and became part of Company 1, Medical Company, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment.

As a U.S. Army medic in active combat during the Korean War at the age of 19, Private First Class Wilson accompanied his unit during a reconnaissance mission through Opari in Korea. When the troops were ambushed in a narrow valley, Pfc. Wilson administered aid to his wounded comrades. Even though his company commander ordered the unit to move out, Pfc. Wilson returned to the field of battle to rescue a soldier who was left for dead, but was attempting to crawl to safety. Private First Class Wilson was unarmed, but that did not deter him from his mission.

Two days later, Private First Class Wilson was found dead beside the man he gave his life trying to save. This is an example of the superb bravery that reflects Richard Wilson's character and so rightly earned him the Nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor.

In 1951, the Medal of Honor was awarded to Richard G. Wilson's widow, Yvonna Wilson, at the Pentagon. Today she and hundreds of Cape Girardeau residents remember and honor Pfc. Wilson's bravery and commitment to our country. It is very appropriate his memory become a prominent part of our community.

Naming the postal facility after Pfc. Wilson will serve as a lasting testament of our gratitude to him for his brave example, just as we are proud of all men and women from southern Missouri and around the country who have served our country so honorably.

Richard Wilson exemplifies the valor of so many men and women who have served our Nation in uniform. This simple reminder of his brave actions will stand as a testament in Cape Girardeau that we respect his sacrifice, but it also will signal that we wish him to serve as an example for generations of Americans to come. With this designation we claim him for our own and honor his memory.

Our definition of the word ``hero'' has changed many times over the years. Private First Class Wilson, however, is a hero for any era.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4037) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 475 Kell Farm Drive in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, as the ``Richard G. Wilson Processing and Distribution Facility''.

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. 4037.

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, I rise in support of H.R. 4037, which honors the life of Richard G. Wilson by naming this U.S. Postal Service processing and distribution facility in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, after him.

Private First Class Wilson was an Army corpsman who served with gallantry during the Korean War. He distinguished himself by aiding wounded soldiers in harm's way outside Opari, Korea, in October of 1950.

At the bottom of the valley near Opari, enemy forces engaged Private Wilson's company. As the U.S. forces suffered casualties, the unarmed Private Wilson charged into harsh combat to provide aid to his wounded company men, despite their protest. He treated several soldiers in the face of the merciless enemy attack.

The company was forced to retreat, and Private Wilson's whereabouts were initially unknown. Two days later, a U.S. patrol found him lying next to one of the troops that he had helped during the firefight. Wilson had been shot several times.

Private Wilson was posthumously awarded the Nation's highest military award for valor, the Congressional Medal of Honor, on June 21, 1951. The medal was presented to Wilson's widow Yvonna in a ceremony at the Pentagon that day.

Mr. Speaker, this postal facility designation, introduced by the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson), will memorialize Richard Wilson's bravery and selflessness in his hometown of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. I understand that members of his family still live in Cape Girardeau, and I certainly hope this exceedingly deserved honor for Richard Wilson will be meaningful to them.

Mr. Speaker, while heroes of today fight for freedom across the globe in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, it is always appropriate to recognize America's military heroes of yesterday. I strongly urge every Member of the House to support this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson).

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 4037.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 4037, legislation naming a postal facility in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, after Richard G. Wilson. This measure was introduced by the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson) on March 25, 2004, and unanimously reported by our committee on April 1, 2004. It enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire Missouri delegation.

Mr. Speaker, Richard G. Wilson, Private First Class, United States Army, was attached to Medical Company 1 of the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment and served in the Korean War. According to military accounts, Pfc. Wilson distinguished himself by ``conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action.''

As a medic, he accompanied his unit in Opari, Korea, administering medical attention to his wounded comrades in the midst of fierce enemy fighting. After his unit was forced to withdraw from the area, Pfc. Wilson moved his wounded colleagues to safety and searched to make sure that no man was left behind.

After realizing that one soldier was missing, Pfc. Wilson returned to the area in search of his colleague. Pfc. Wilson was found 2 days later lying beside the man he had been searching for. For his bravery, courage and self-sacrifice for his comrades, he was posthumously awarded the Nation's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues for seeking to honor the legacy of Richard Wilson by naming a postal facility in his name in his hometown of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage.

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.