To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the "Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6208, a bill that I introduced to honor the life of Matthew P. Pathenos by designating the post office in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building.

A resident of Ballwin, Missouri, Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos was part of the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division of the Marine Forces Reserve. On February 7, 2007, Lance Corporal Pathenos was killed during combat operations in the Anbar province of Iraq.

Matthew was often described by friends and family as a friendly young

man who always had a joke to tell, had a smile on his face. Matthew decided to join the military in order to follow his older brother into the country's service with the hope of helping those who could not help themselves. Matthew's then girlfriend, Erin, calls Lance Corporal Pathenos her hero and wishes that she might one day ``possess a fraction of his bravery and discipline.''

As a father of two marines, one of whom has served in Iraq, it's a privilege to stand here today to honor one of our fallen soldiers. Matthew's commitment and dedication to his country is a shining example of how our military men and women are the finest the Nation has to offer. He and his family's sacrifice should serve as a reminder to all that the freedom we enjoy as Americans is not free but it is the result of the tremendous bravery and self sacrifice of men and women willing to put themselves in harm's way for the cause of freedom.

Throughout the many, many years of our Nation's existence, America has been unique at one particular regard and in many particular regards. America is the only Nation that has a political and religious motto, a code that we go by. It's expressed and it was expressed as the reason why we fought our war to gain our independence in that great sentence. It says that we believe that there are certain inalienable rights that come from God. Among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The sentence goes on to say that governments are instituted among men to protect those basic God-given rights. That has been the reason why we have gone to war, to protect our God-given rights down through the ages, in the War of Independence and other wars as well, and this war is no different.

Matthew Pathenos understood in his heart and in his gut the basic idea that he was defending his family and his homeland.

And so he joins the ranks of those who are still on patrol, whose names we will regard. He joins the ranks of the people who made the ultimate sacrifice; that you and I and future generations of Americans may go free. And in that regard, we honor him by naming this post office after Matthew Pathenos. Please join me by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 6208.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of Missouri and the sponsor of this legislation (Mr. Akin).

My colleague, Representative Akin, has made very eloquent remarks on this bill. I will submit my comments for the Record, but I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6208.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield, MO, as the ``Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building.''

Marine LCpl Matthew P. Pathenos was more than a selfless patriot. He was a loving son, brother, and friend.

As one of his comrades in arms reflected, ``The best thing about Matt was his ability to wake up every day with a smile and hold it all day long.'' Even in the hardships of war, Matt strove to bring joy to his friends.

A native of Ballwin, MO, Matt was an avid golfer and accomplished pilot, earning his license at the age of 14. After graduating high school in 2003, Matt followed in the footsteps of his older brother and mentor, Marine Sgt Christopher Pathenos who enlisted in the wake of September 11.

In the words of one relative, ``For Matty, the motivation was more about Christopher, seeing how the Corps treated him.''

A member of the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, Matthew was one of 80 members of his unit that attached to a sister unit, the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, for deployment to Iraq in September of 2006.

Tragically, on February 6, 2007, Lance Corporal Pathenos lost his life near Fallujah when his Humvee was stuck by an improvised explosive device.

His family will always remember him as the smiling young man who ``sang as though no one could hear him and danced as though no one was watching him.''

In a release shortly after his tragic loss, the family captured the sentiments of a grateful nation. ``Like his brother, Christopher, Matthew was proud to be a Marine and volunteered to serve his country. Matthew paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and the future generations of this country. He loved his country and family, and we will miss him terribly.''

I urge my colleagues to support this bill honoring a courageous young man that embodied the deepest ideals of this great Nation. He lost his life in defense of freedom and this sacrifice shall not be forgotten.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6208) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos 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.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues, particularly the gentleman from Missouri, in the consideration of H.R. 6208, which names a postal facility in Chesterfield, Missouri, after a fallen hero, Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos.

Introduced on June 9, 2008, H.R. 6208 is sponsored by Congressman Todd W. Akin, representative of Missouri's Second Congressional District, and cosponsored by the entire Missouri congressional delegation and a total of nine Members of Congress. H.R. 6208 was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 17, 2008, by voice vote.

A native of Ballwin, Missouri, Corporal Pathenos lost his life while serving in Iraq. According to military records, Corporal Pathenos was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, from the 4th Marine Division out of Bridgeton, Missouri, 108th, when he was killed on February 14, 2007, while conducting combat operations in the Anbar province of Iraq. Described as a disciplined, dedicated, and patriotic gentleman, Corporal Pathenos served his country proudly.

In tribute to his sacrifice, Mr. Speaker, let us honor the life of Corporal Pathenos and pass H.R. 6208 and designate the post office building in Chesterfield, Missouri, after this fine American Marine.

I urge its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.

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