To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside, California, as the "Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor of H.R. 988, the Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post Office Building Designation Act. Todd Bryant, a First Lieutenant in the United States Army, was killed in action on October 31, 2003 when his Humvee encountered an explosive device on the road between Fallujah and Baghdad. He was 23 years old. He is a recipient of the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Purple Heart, the Iraqi Freedom Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star.

Bryant, a 2002 graduate of West Point, was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion and 34th Armor Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. Todd Bryant was deployed to Iraq in September 2003, a few days after he married his wife Jenifer.

Todd was born at the Long Beach Naval Hospital. Although he grew up in Riverside, he attended La Canada High School, located in La Canada- Flintridge, California, one of the cities I am privileged to represent. While at La Canada High, he participated in the band and played for the Spartans football team. Todd came from a military family. His parents, Larry and Linda, prior to both working at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada-Flintridge, both served as Captains in the U.S. Air Force. His older sister Tiffany is a fellow West Point graduate and his older brother Timothy is a U.S. Marine. Although Todd excelled at being a solider, he also had other interests. He volunteered as a Congressional intern in Congressman Ken Calvert's office and he spent a summer participating in Service America at West Hills Elementary School in Bremerton, Washington in 2001. Learning more about Todd's interests and actions, one can not come away without noting the extraordinary impact he had on his friends, family and community. Today, his friends and family are still reminiscing about his humor, his love of In-N-Out burgers and his charisma.

Mr. Speaker, without question, Congress and the American people will continue to honor and remember the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in this war. We hope this small act of memorializing Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant at the Rubidoux post office honors his memory and serves as a reminder to those in the community of the remarkable heroism of Todd and his family.

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

Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant was a proud and loyal American who served his country in fighting the war on terror. He made the ultimate sacrifice, defending freedom and liberty, when he lost his life on October 31, 2003, in Iraq.

Todd Jason Bryant was born in Long Beach, California, on January 14, 1980. As a young student, he was very athletic and always involved in school activities. During high school, he played football and golf, and also played the tuba in the marching band. He was the youngest of three and was determined to follow in his siblings' path by enlisting in the military.

At 17, he joined the Army Reserves and completed boot camp before graduating from high school. He received his nomination to West Point Academy from the sponsor of this bill, Congressman Ken Calvert. He graduated from West Point in 2003 with a degree in political science. He had said before his death that he dreamed of being either a Member of Congress or a high school football coach.

His military training took him to installations in Kentucky and Kansas. Only 9 days before Lieutenant Bryant was sent to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, he happily wed Jenifer Reardon in Pittston, Pennsylvania.

On Friday, October 31, 2003, at the age of 23, Lieutenant Bryant was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his Humvee while on patrol in Fallujah. Lieutenant Todd Bryant was an ambitious man who was able to accomplish much in his short but meaningful lifetime. Among his military awards are the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Lieutenant Bryant will always be remembered as a fun-loving, humorous, cheerful, proud and loyal friend, husband, son and brother. He brought joy to all those around him, easily making friends through his contagious laughter.

Lieutenant Bryant was honored to serve his country, and he served it well. Let us honor his ultimate sacrifice by renaming this post office for him.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, as the author of H.R. 988, I rise today to pay tribute to First Lieutenant Todd Bryant. The legislation would designate a post office in my district as the ``Lieutenant Todd Bryant Post Office.'' Todd was born on January 14, 1980, in Long Beach, California. Todd came from a military family and his desire and determination to join the military was nothing short of resolute. He enlisted in the Army Reserve and completed Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma before his senior year of high school.

In the fall of 1997, Todd came to my office seeking a nomination to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the following March, Todd accepted an Appointment to West Point. I was proud to nominate this ambitious young man who I knew would distinguish himself throughout his military service, just as he had done throughout his whole life.

Todd interned in my district office before his senior year at West Point and graduated with a degree in Political Science on June 1, 2002. He would often joke that he was going to run for my congressional seat some day--I have no doubt he would have succeeded. After graduation, Todd attended the Armor Officer's Basic Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, graduating in December 2002.

On August 30, 2003, Todd and Jenifer Reardon were married in Pennsylvania, 9 days before shipping out with his unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On Friday, October 31, 2003, Todd was killed by an improvised explosive device as his Humvee traveled on a road between Fallujah and Baghdad. He was 23 years old.

I ask you to support H.R. 988 to honor the service and sacrifice of Lieutenant Bryant. The naming of the post office in Rubidoux would be a fitting tribute to him, and the sacrifice of his wife and loving family. First Lieutenant Bryant was a true patriot and a brave young man, and our community feels his loss immensely.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 988) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside, California, as the ``Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post Office''.

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, H.R. 988 is legislation introduced by Representative Ken Calvert to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside, California, as the Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post Office.

On October 31, 2003, somewhere in the Iraqi desert between Fallujah and Baghdad, First Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant was killed when his Humvee was struck head-on by a rocket-propelled grenade. His life was taken instantly at age 23. He was assigned to C Company, 1-34 AR where he assumed duties as platoon leader, 3rd Platoon.

First Lieutenant Todd Bryant received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon for his distinguished service to his country.

First Lieutenant Todd Bryant is survived by his wife, Jenifer, his parents, Larry and Linda Bryant, his brother, Major Timothy Bryant, USMC, and his sister, Tiffany Bryant.

The memory of this jovial fun-loving man will live on forever through his family and friends. Jenifer Bryant said, ``There was a lot more to him than just a soldier. He was my best friend. His goal in life was to make people think that he was the most hilarious man alive.''

I support H.R. 988 and urge its passage.

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

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

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.''