To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 South Lecanto Highway in Lecanto, Florida, as the "Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building".

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the bill, H.R. 1402, the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building piece of legislation. It will rename the South Lecanto Highway Post Office in Lecanto, Florida, after Army Sergeant Flanagan, who was killed by terrorist insurgents in 2006 while on patrol in Iraq.

I actually attended the services out at Arlington Cemetery. I was with the family. I also attended the service for the young man that was held in Citrus County.

In my district office, I have a photograph that his mom gave me that was taken at the service. And it appears as if there is this rainbow over the marker. It is truly a tribute to this 2001 graduate of Lecanto High School because Sergeant Flanagan was an active member of the Junior ROTC, and he achieved the rank of lieutenant in his first year.

Within a week following the attacks of September 11, 2001, on our country, he enlisted in the Army and began his first tour of duty in Iraq. Sergeant Flanagan then re-enlisted for a second tour in Iraq in September of 2005. Tragically, he was killed, along with three other U.S. soldiers, when an IED hit a Humvee in which he was traveling. Only the Humvee driver survived the incident.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1402, the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building.

H.R. 1402 will rename the South Lecanto Highway post office in Lecanto, FL, after Army Sergeant Flanagan, who was killed by terrorist insurgents in 2006 while on patrol in Iraq.

A 2001 graduate of Lecanto High School, Sergeant Flanagan was an active member of the Junior ROTC, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant his junior year.

Within a week following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he enlisted in the Army and began his first tour of duty in Iraq in 2003. Sergeant Flanagan then re-enlisted for a second tour in Iraq in September of 2005.

Tragically, he was killed January 20, 2006, along with 3 other U.S. soldiers when an lED hit a Humvee in which he was traveling. Only the Humvee driver survived the incident.

Sgt. Flanagan was a soldier who firmly believed in our mission in Iraq and in advancing the cause of freedom. As a young boy, Sgt. Flanagan knew that he wanted to be a soldier

in the U.S. Armed Forces. A soldier who felt we must defend America and fight for freedom, Sgt. Flanagan received glowing recommendations from his superior officers and fellow soldiers. One of the principle reasons that he re-enlisted was to act as a mentor to the newly enlisted soldiers and to help train Iraqi army recruits.

Speaking of his future as a soldier and a patriot, Sgt. Flanagan once wrote a poem that included the words, ``And now, my son, I pray to thee. Never ever forget me; that I died a soldier's death, to keep you free with my last breath.''

In times when children and families need role models to look up to and emulate, Sergeant Flanagan was a true American hero. Our community feels his loss immensely.

I hope that in renaming this post office, we will memorialize Sergeant Flanagan's courage and never forget his sacrifice for this great Nation.

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

I join with my colleague in supporting this naming of the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Post Office.

Sergeant Flanagan grew up in Florida and attended high school there. He was active and enjoyed sports. He ran cross-country, played soccer, and was a cadet commander at the school's Civil Air Patrol squadron. He loved learning about American history and hoped that one day he would be a history professor.

His commitment to military service began at an early age. He was an active member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or Junior ROTC, where he achieved the rank of first lieutenant during his junior year of high school. He began classes in Central Florida Community College, but enlisted in the Army a week after September 11.

Sergeant Flanagan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He fought with the air assault infantry that led the initial attack in 2003.

Wise beyond his years, he understood that victory could not be attained without action. He knew the dangers of war and believed in serving his country. After completing his first tour of duty, he re- enlisted in September of 2005 for a second tour. As an experienced soldier, he hoped he could act as a mentor for new soldiers, and he wanted to train the Iraqi Army recruits.

On January 20, 2006, Sergeant Flanagan was on patrol in Iraq in his Humvee with three other U.S. soldiers and a driver when a roadside bomb, or an IED, was exploded near their vehicle. All soldiers were wearing protective body armor. However, only the driver survived the blast. Sergeant Flanagan was only 22 when he died.

Today we honor the life of Sergeant Flanagan, a soldier who strongly believed in the fight for freedom. He was an American hero.

Madam Speaker, I ask all Members to join with me in supporting this naming and this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

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

Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers here today on this fine young gentleman. But, in closing, I can think of no more appropriate statement on the United States Armed Forces than to have a gentleman with a classic Irish name from Florida be honored on the same day for another post office as a gentleman born in Mexico, growing up in California, whose father was a day laborer. I think that speaks volumes about the kinds of men and women who are defending our country, not questioning anything except that their country asked for them and they have followed and, unfortunately, two have fallen.

I urge passage of both of these pieces of legislation. I thank the majority for moving them in an expeditious fashion.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1402) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 South Lecanto Highway in Lecanto, Florida, as the ``Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

On September 11, 2001, America was forever changed. The rancid acts of terrorism that occurred on this day struck a chord within the people. For one moment in time we were not a hyphenated people. We were not Irish-American, African-American, Asian-American, Greek-American. We were simply American.

It was with a resounding spirit of patriotism that Dennis J. Flanagan went to his local recruitment station and took the vow to serve his country. As the President waged war against our terrorist adversaries, Sergeant Flanagan took his place as a member of the air assault infantry that invaded Iraq in 2003. He returned to Iraq in September for his second tour of duty and was killed when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in Hawijah, Iraq, on January 19, 2006.

Madam Speaker, I offer my condolences to the family of Sergeant Flanagan and hope that my colleagues will vote in the affirmative to pass this measure that will allow the Lecanto, Florida, post office to bear the name of Sergeant Dennis James Flanagan.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I simply want to commend the gentlewoman from Florida for introducing this resolution, which speaks directly to the greatest gift that one can give, and that is to give his or her life for the benefit of their fellow man and woman.

A young man, who had no concern, really, for himself, but was concerned for the country.

I urge passage of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

We have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to hold an off-the- floor markup during the session of the Senate on Monday, May 21, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., in S-216 of the Capitol, to consider pending committee business.

Agenda

Nomination

Howard C. Weizmann to be Deputy Director, Office of Personnel Management.

Post Office naming bills

(1) S. 1352, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 127 East Locust Street In Fairbury, llilinois, as the ``Dr. Francis Townsend Post Office Building'';

(2) H.R. 1402, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 320 South Lecanto Highway in Lecanto, Florida, as the ``Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building'';

(3) H.R. 625, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 4230 Maine Avenue in Baldwin Park, California, as the ``Atanacio Haro-Marin Post Office'';

(4) H.R. 988, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside, California, as the ``Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post Office'';

(5) H.R. 437, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 500 West Eisenhower Street in Rio Grande City, Texas, as the ``Lino Perez Jr. Post Office'';

(6) H.R. 414, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 60 Calle McKinley West in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, as the ``Miguel Angel Garcia Mendez Post Office Building.''

Madam Speaker, unfortunately yesterday, April 23, 2007, I was unable to cast my votes on H. Res. 179, H.R. 1434, and H.R. 1402 and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote. Had I been present for rollcall No. 245 on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 179, expressing support for a National Foster Parents Day, I would have voted ``aye''; had I been present for rollcall No. 246 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1434, designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 896 Pittsburgh Street in Springdale, Pennsylvania, as the Rachel Carson Post Office Building, I would have voted ``aye.''; had I been present for rollcall No. 247 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1402, designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 South Lecanto Highway in Lecanto, Florida, as the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building, I would have voted ``aye.''