To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7464 Highway 503 in Hickory, Mississippi, as the "Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram Post Office".

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4139) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7464 Highway 503 in Hickory, Mississippi, as the ``Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram Post Office''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

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

As chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service, I am pleased to present H.R. 4139 for consideration. This legislation will designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 7464 Highway 503 in Hickory, Mississippi, as the ``Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram Post Office.''

H.R. 4139 was introduced by my colleague Representative Gregg Harper of Mississippi on November 19, 2009, and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on December 10, 2009, by a voice vote. In addition, the legislation enjoys the support of the entire Mississippi House delegation.

A native of Pearl, Mississippi, Sergeant Ingram was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as a proud member of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colorado. Regrettably, Sergeant Ingram was killed in action in Kunar province, Afghanistan on August, 21, 2009, after an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle and his unit came under small arms fire from enemy forces. Sergeant Ingram was 25 years old at the time of his death.

Following his graduation from Newton County High School in Decatur, Mississippi, Sergeant Ingram enlisted in the United States Army in 2003 to fulfill his lifelong goal of serving his country. One year later, Sergeant Ingram was deployed to Iraq and served two tours of duty, with distinction, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2005 and from 2006 to 2007. In recognition of his exemplary service, Sergeant Ingram received an Army Commendation Medal, an honor bestowed on soldiers who distinguish themselves through heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service.

On May 26, 2009, Sergeant Ingram began a tour of duty in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and remained in service to his country until his passing on August 21 of last year.

Madam Speaker, those that were fortunate enough to know Sergeant Matthew Ingram remember him as a loyal, hardworking, and positive young man whose dedication to serving his country was only surpassed by his devotion to his loving family. In the words of his loving father, James, Sergeant Matthew Ingram was a ``mighty good man.''

As noted by his beloved wife, Holly, Sergeant Ingram was a soldier at heart, whose service in the United States Army afforded him the opportunity to do exactly what he loved to do. However, Sergeant Ingram always considered being a good dad to his daughter, Chloe, now over 1 year old, as his most important mission in life. ``He loved his baby and would do anything for her,'' recalled Holly Ingram upon her husband's passing.

Similarly, Sergeant Ingram's classmates and teachers at his alma mater, Newton County High School, remember their fallen friend as a dedicated and courageous young man.

As noted by Sergeant Ingram's former teacher, Sue Geter, I am very honored to have taught him. And the fact that he gave the ultimate price is something I am proud of, that I had an opportunity to teach him.

Madam Speaker, the life of Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram stands as a testament to the courage and dedication of all our brave servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation. Let us pay tribute to the life and service of Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram through the passage of this legislation, H.R. 4139, to designate the Hickory, Mississippi, postal facility in his honor. I urge all of my colleagues to join us in supporting H.R. 4139.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I ask all Members on each side as well to support this resolution, which will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Hickory, Mississippi, in honor of Matthew L. Ingram.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4139, a resolution to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Hickory, Mississippi, as the ``Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram Post Office.''

As a child, Matthew was thought of by his mother, Patricia, as the one giving the orders. She explains he would tell his older brother what to do. ``He's always been a leader, not a follower,'' explains Patricia. ``He did not want to be mediocre.'' As Matthew grew older, he saw many advantages to military service. For starters, he saw the Army as a way to serve the country that he loved, pay for his education, and, as his mother added, see the world.

Ingram joined the Army in the summer of 2003, fulfilling his basic training requirements at Fort Benning, Georgia. Matthew served as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based in Fort Carson, Colorado. Soon after basic training his brigade was reassigned to South Korea, where he spent 10 months prior to his first deployment to Iraq for a 1-year tour.

Stationed in Colorado after returning from Iraq, Ingram would meet his future wife, Holly. Their 2006 marriage preceded his return for a second Iraq tour. However, this time he had been promoted to sergeant. In 2007, Sergeant Ingram returned to Colorado from theatre wearing an impressive military decoration. He wore one of the highest honors presented to soldiers who have been wounded while serving our country, the Purple Heart. As his mother would describe, ``That was his most prized possession.'' Sergeant Ingram's next call to duty was in Afghanistan in May of 2009, and for the first time he left not only a wife, whom he loved, but also a beautiful baby girl, Chloe. His departure would be the last time this brave young soldier would embrace his family that he loved so much.

On August 20, 2009, Army Sergeant Matthew Ingram died from wounds suffered from an IED detonated near his vehicle during combat in Afghanistan. The blast occurred while his unit was under small-arms fire from enemy forces. At the time of his death, the fighting in Afghanistan was so brutal that Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described the situation as ``serious and deteriorating.'' Although this would be his last mission, combat had become familiar to this brave, 25-year-old Purple Heart recipient.

Naming this facility will present a constant reminder of the sacrifices Sergeant Ingram and other Mississippians have made through their service to our country. Matthew's love for his country and able leadership took him from Hickory, Mississippi, to Afghanistan, and his courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. I urge you to support this resolution.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the following postal naming bills en bloc: Calendar Nos. 380, 384 through 387, and 389 through 395, and 397; S. 2874, S. 3200, H.R. 3250, H.R. 3634, H.R. 3892, H.R. 4017, H.R. 4095, H.R. 4139, H.R. 4214, H.R. 4238,

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bills be read the third time and passed en bloc, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the bills be printed in the Record.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from the State of Mississippi (Mr. Harper).

Madam Speaker, I urge the Members to support the passage of House Resolution 4139.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.