To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3900 Darrow Road in Stow, Ohio, as the "Corporal Joseph A. Tomci Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3788) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3900 Darrow Road in Stow, Ohio, as the ``Corporal Joseph A. Tomci 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 subcommittee with jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service, I am very proud to present H.R. 3788 for consideration. This measure will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3900 Darrow Road in Stow, Ohio, as the ``Corporal Joseph A. Tomci Post Office Building.''

H.R. 3788 was introduced by my colleague Representative Steven LaTourette of Ohio on October 13, 2009, and favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee by unanimous consent on October 29, 2009. Additionally, this legislation enjoys the overwhelming support of the Ohio House delegation.

After graduating from Stow-Munroe Falls High School in 2003, Corporal Tomci joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Tragically, on August 2, 2006, while conducting combat operations during

his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Corporal Tomci was killed in a roadside bomb in al Anbar province, Iraq. He was only 21 years old at the time.

Although Corporal Tomci is no longer with us, his spirit will endure in the memory of his mother, Gayle, his stepfather, Phil, his friends, and all those who were fortunate enough to know this brave young man. In fact, every year since his death, a group of Corporal Tomci's friends gather together in Silver Springs Park in Stow, Ohio, to remember the life of their friend and hero. Affectionately called ``Joe Tom Day'' after Corporal Tomci's nickname, about 150 joined in this year's commemoration and wore black T-shirts with Corporal Tomci's quote, ``You guys will be telling your kids about me,'' on their backs.

And so, Mr. Speaker, let us, as a body, take this opportunity to recognize the life of Corporal Tomci, which stands as a testament to the bravery and dedication of the heroic men and women who serve our great Nation.

I urge all of our Members to join in support of this resolution.

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

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

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

I thank my friend from California for yielding.

I want to thank the Chair and ranking member of the Government Reform and Oversight Committee for moving this bill in such an expedited manner. I want to thank my friend and colleague from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and from California (Mr. Bilbray) for bringing this bill to the floor today.

I am proud to be the lead sponsor of H.R. 3788. It is going to honor a marine and native of Stow, Ohio, who gave his life in the line of duty, Corporal Joseph A. Tomci, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. This bill will name the post office at 3900 Darrow Road in Stow as the Corporal Joseph A. Tomci Post Office Building.

As has been mentioned, Joe Tomci, a graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School, was killed in a roadside bombing on August 2, 2006. It was his second tour of duty in Iraq, and he happened to be only 21.

While I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Joe Tomci when he was alive, I have been awed by the impact that he had on those who did have the privilege of knowing him, loving him, and calling him a friend. There were thousands of people, Mr. Speaker, at his funeral. And every year since his death, friends and family have gathered to remember Joe on the anniversary that he died.

There is also a tree planted at Fish Creek Elementary School. And you may think, well, maybe that's where Joe went to school, but the reason the tree is there is that Joe was a pen pal of the students for 2 years, and the students would chart Joe's progress in Iraq on a map to reflect his experiences.

Joe Tomci was a great son, a great friend, and a great leader. And I honestly can't think of many people at the age of 21 who have made such a mark on the world in such a short amount of time.

He loved his family and his friends, he loved serving his country, and he loved being a marine. He told his mother, Gayle, that he believed in what he was doing and that he believed that his service was a benefit to the world.

I've had the privilege, as most of our colleagues have, of travelling to Iraq to witness firsthand the important work of servicemen and - women like Joe and what they're doing every day, as well as the selfless sacrifices that they and their families make. Some, like Joe, have made the ultimate sacrifice, but their deaths have not been in vain.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the work of the committee in approving this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).

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

Mr. Speaker, my words on this quite appropriate bill would pale in comparison to the fine words from the gentleman from Ohio and the gentleman from Chicago. I think they said it quite well and eloquently, so at this time I think it's appropriate that I just urge all Members to support H.R. 3788.

I rise today in support of this bill designating the United States Postal Facility, located at 3900 Darrow Road in Stow, Ohio as the ``Corporal Joseph A. Tomci Post Office Building.''

A native of Ohio, Corporal Joseph Tomci was a ``humble, determined and athletic'' man. A football player and avid outdoorsman, Corporal Tomci graduated from Stow-Munroe Falls High School located in Stow, Ohio in 2003.

As a teenager he was determined to join the Marines. After the September 11th attacks, his decision was reinforced and he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps just a few months after graduating from high school. Corporal Tomci was inspired by his favorite quote ``the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing''. He was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, Lima Company based in Camp Lejeune and quickly rose to a leadership position. He was deployed three times--Haiti in 2004, Fallujah, Iraq in 2005, and Ramadi in 2006.

When on leave from Iraq, Corporal Tomci often told friends ``I'm doing this so you guys don't have to.'' As a squad leader, Corporal Tomci had great concern for the 12 Marines under his command. He was especially conscious of training the soldiers who had just been deployed to Iraq, once telling his mother that now he knew what it felt like to be a parent.

Tragically, while serving his 3rd deployment in Ramadi, he was killed by a roadside bomb on August 2, 2006.

After his death, one of Corporal Tomci's friends put it best when he said Corporal Tomci was a patriot and ``he was made to be a Marine.''

I urge the passage of this bill in honor of an ambitious, caring, and dedicated American who sacrificed his life while serving his country.

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

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 865, Democrat Adjournment Resolution, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay''; on rollcall No. 866, H. Res. 893--Congratulating the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series Champions, the New York Yankees, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall No. 867, H.R. 3788--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3900 Darrow Road in Stow, Ohio, as the ``Corporal Joseph A. Tomci Post Office Building,'' had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall No. 868, S. 1211--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 60 School Street, Orchard Park, New York, as the ``Jack F. Kemp Post Office Building,'' had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall No. 869, Thompson (D-MS) Amendment, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay''; on rollcall No. 870, Barton (R-TX) Amendment, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay''; on rollcall No. 871, Dent (R-PA) Amendment No. 4, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall No. 872, Dent (R-PA) Amendment No. 5, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall No. 873, McCaul (R-TX) Amendment, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall No. 874, Motion to Recommit, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; and on rollcall No. 875, H.R. 2868--Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Madam Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to be present in the Capitol for votes on Thursday, November 5, 2009. However, had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on:

(1) H. Con. Res. 210--providing for the House, upon completion of The Affordable Health Care for America Act, to adjourn until November 16, 2009.

(2) H. Res. 893--Congratulating the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series Champions, the New York Yankees.

(3) H.R. 3788--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3900 Darrow Road in Stow, Ohio, as the ``Corporal Joseph A. Tomci Post Office Building.''

(4) S. 1211--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 60 School Street, Orchard Park, New York, as the ``Jack F. Kemp Post Office Building.''

(5) Thompson Amendment to H.R. 2868 Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009. (``aye'')

(6) Final Passage of H.R. 2868--Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009.

Also, I would have voted ``no'' on:

(1) Barton Amendment to H.R. 2868 Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009.

(2) Dent (PA)/Olson (TX) Amendment to H.R. 2868 Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009.

(3) Dent (PA) Amendment to H.R. 2868 Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009.

(4) McCaul (TX) Amendment to H.R. 2868 Chemical Facility Anti- Terrorism Act of 2009.

(5) Motion to Recommit H.R. 2868 to H.R. 2868 Chemical Facility Anti- Terrorism Act of 2009.