Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6102) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 Lawyers Road, NW in Vienna, Virginia, as the…
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6102) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 Lawyers Road, NW in Vienna, Virginia, as the ``Captain Christopher Petty Post Office Building,'' as amended.
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. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6102, as amended, a bill to rename the post office in Vienna, Virginia, after two American heroes. Major William Hecker III and Captain Christopher Petty both gave their lives on January 5, 2006, while serving in Iraq.
Captain Petty began his service to our country upon entering his college's ROTC program. He was commissioned in the Army immediately after graduation; and his grandfather, an artillery officer in World War II, pinned his own second lieutenant's bars and insignia on his grandson's chest.
Captain Petty honored both his grandfather and our country with his service and was stationed next to the Iranian border, where he coordinated the artillery for his battalion.
Major William Hecker studied engineering management at West Point and in 2000 went on to earn a master's degree in English from the University of Oregon. He returned to West Point as an assistant English professor for 3 years, and he had plans to continue teaching after his assignment in Iraq. His love of literature was second only to his love of his country.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Major Hecker knew that he wanted to be in the Army since he was in the third grade. He believed in making a difference, and he was looking forward to going to Iraq.
We owe these men and their families a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. I hope my colleagues will join me in support of H.R. 6102. I ask that we continue to honor these two fallen soldiers and all of our men and women in uniform that serve this great Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I submit for printing in the Congressional Record a letter from Mrs. Hecker, Major Hecker's mother, talking about her thoughts and her son's activities in Iraq.
November 18, 2005.
Hon. John Murtha,
Johnstown, PA.
Dear Representative Murtha: I am the wife of a retired Army
officer who served this great country of ours for twenty-
eight years, including two tours of duty in Vietnam. I am
also the mother of two sons, both of whom chose to serve in
our Armed Forces. Our older son is a Major in the 4th
Infantry Division and will be departing for a year's tour of
duty in Iraq in just a little over a week. Our younger son is
a 1LT in the Marine Corps currently stationed in Okinawa as a
C-130 pilot. He could be detailed to Iraq as well.
I respect your service to country, as well as your right to
speak your mind about the situation in Iraq. But I, too, have
a right to an opinion and to make my voice known. Although I
rarely if ever write a political letter, your recent
statements have moved me to do so! I believe your comments
about Iraq have harmed our chances for success, and will only
serve to embolden the terrorists and encourage them to
continue with their violence, hoping that it will hasten our
retreat. Not only that, I believe it would be immoral to
abandon the fledgling Iraqi government before they are ready
to provide for their own security.
I have faith in our military leaders and believe that they
are taking the necessary steps to train the Iraqi forces, and
provide for our eventual withdrawal. I also have faith in our
executive branch that they are taking the necessary steps to
help the new Iraqi government get a democratic style
government in place * * * and to give them at least a chance
of success. Although mistakes were made in the execution of
the war and its aftermath, the goal itself is worthy. And in
spite of all the negativity that we are constantly bombarded
with, I believe that there have been some remarkable
successes!
Although my son would surely prefer to stay home with his
wife and four young children, he is both a soldier and a
scholar. He understands that we are in a vital long-term
struggle against a dangerous ideology, and he is willing to
make the necessary sacrifices to defeat it. It is a difficult
struggle that will require patience and fortitude, both on
and off the battlefield. If we lose our will here at home, it
makes the task for our soldiers all the more difficult. I
believe your comments were irresponsible and are contributing
to the loss of national will. If they were made to obtain
political advantages, I would find that abhorrent and
unworthy of a former Marine.
Please know that our soldiers are heroes, not victims. They
are making great sacrifices on our behalf. They need to be
supported and appreciated until their mission is over. I
suggest you reconsider your comments and the effect they have
on our soldiers and their families.
Sincerely,
Nancy Hecker.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
