To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1700 Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, as the "Reverend Earl Abel Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6168. It's a bill that I introduced to honor the life of Drew W. Weaver by designating the post office in St. Charles, Missouri, as the Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building.

A resident of St. Charles, Missouri, Lance Corporal Drew Weaver was part of the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division,

1st Marine Expeditionary Force. On February 21, 2007, Lance Corporal Weaver died while conducting combat operations in the al Anbar province in Iraq. As Captain Mark C. Brown noted, Drew was ``known for his enthusiasm and his ability to motivate people around him.''

Drew's contribution to his country was honored by his community when hundreds of people showed up to his memorial service and procession. A graduate of St. Charles High School, friends and family of Drew remember him as an energetic young man who was eager to serve his country. Ryan Hanson, his best friend and a fellow serviceman, said, ``Drew loved what he was doing and was proud of what he was doing for the Marine Corps.''

As the father of two Marines, one of whom has served in Iraq, it is a privilege to stand here today to honor one of our fallen heroes. Drew's commitment and dedication to his country is a shining example of how our military men and women are the finest our Nation has to offer.

His and his family's sacrifice should serve as a reminder to all that the freedom we enjoy as Americans is not free, but the result of tremendous bravery and selfless sacrifice of men and women willing to put themselves in harm's way for freedom's cause.

As Reverend James Benz noted during Drew's funeral, ``I think we can learn from them that the freedom we enjoy in this country is precious, that it is special, and it must be preserved sometimes at great personal cost.''

Our Nation will be forever indebted to Lance Corporal Drew Weaver. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring Lance Corporal Drew Weaver.

Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6168.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6168) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building''.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present for consideration and support H.R. 6168, which names a postal facility in St. Charles, Missouri, after Lance Corporal Drew Weaver, a heroic marine and great American.

H.R. 6198 was introduced by a colleague, Representative Akin of Missouri, on June 3, 2008, and has been considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee. I should mention that the measure had the support of the entire congressional delegation from Missouri before the committee approved the bill by a voice vote on July 16, 2008.

Lance Corporal Drew Weaver was assigned to the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division I, Marine Expeditionary Force Twenty-Nine out of Palms, California, and was serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom during the time of his death. A true hero and American serviceman, Lance Corporal Weaver was well known not only for his service to his country, but also for his service to his local community of St. Charles, Missouri.

St. Charles, Missouri is proud of their hometown hero for the sacrifices he so nobly made, and those of us in the House of Representatives are as well. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, let us remember and pay tribute to the life and legacy of the courageous Lance Corporal Weaver and pass H.R. 6168 without objection.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor my friend and colleague the late Reverend Earl Abel of Kansas City, MO. In life, Reverend Earl Abel labored tirelessly for nearly 50 years as a minister, a community leader and mentor to countless members of the Kansas City community. When Reverend Abel founded the Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ he only had 11 members. Today, his church has grown into one of the larger ministries in the Kansas City community. Under his leadership the church has built two senior citizens residences, a Senior Activity Center and a church camp for both youths and adults in the larger Kansas City community.

The Kansas City community was so central to Rev. Abel's heart, that in addition to the good works his church was engaged in. He personally took on many other important roles to serve the community that he loved including Chaplain for the Kansas City Police Department, President of the Baptist Ministers Union, and member of the Kansas City Council on Crime Prevention. In 1999, he was appointed to the Appellate Judicial Commission by Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan. Rev. Abel spent his life building good will and love and now it is my privilege to ask for your help to honor this man by naming a post office in the heart of Kansas City in his name.

My fellow members of Congress, I urge you to support H.R. 6198 which will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1700 Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, as the ``Reverend Earl Abel Post Office Building.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 6198) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1700 Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, as the ``Reverend Earl Abel Post Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.