To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the "Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building".

Madam Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

November 29, 2010

Rollcall vote 581, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass--H.R. 5877, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the ``Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building''--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 582, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 771, Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day--I would have voted ``aye.''

November 30, 2010

Rollcall vote 583, On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1736, Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 4783) to accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be accelerated--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 584, On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments--H.R. 4783, To accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be accelerated--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 585, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--H. Res. 1585, Honoring and recognizing the exemplary service and sacrifice of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 349th Air Mobility Wing, the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, and the 615th Contingency Response Wing civilians and families serving at Travis Air Force Base, California--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 586, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 1740, Recognizing and honoring the National Guard on the occasion of its 374th anniversary--I would have voted ``aye.''

December 1, 2010

Rollcall vote 587, On Ordering the Previous Question--H. Res. 1742, Providing for consideration of S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 588, On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1742, Providing for consideration of S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 589, On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1741, Providing for consideration of H.J. Res. 101, Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 590, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Con. Res. 323, Supporting the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live with dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 591, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 1735, Condemning North Korea in the strongest terms for its unprovoked military attack against South Korea on November 23, 2010--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 592, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--H. Res. 1430, Honoring and saluting golf legend Juan Antonio ``Chi Chi'' Rodriguez for his commitment to Latino youth programs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute--I would have voted ``aye.''

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I also want to thank the committee for putting this bill out.

Lance Corporal Arredondo was a recipient of the Navy Cross with combat V and a Purple Heart. He was nominated for the Bronze Star, and he gave his life for this country on August 25, 2004. As you heard, he was on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

I just want to read a paragraph that was written about one of his actions, his last action, by a lieutenant general that I think sums up what his own colleagues, his other Marines, thought of him.

``On August 25, 2004, Lance Corporal Arredondo gallantly performed the duties of a fire team leader while fighting enemy forces in the old city of Najaf. While moving with his squad to attack and clear a two- story building, the platoon became heavily engaged at close ranges by enemy small arms, machine gun, and RPG fire. He never hesitated as he led his Marines under intense fire through the building, personally clearing rooms and assuming the greatest risk as grenade explosions raised an impenetrable cloud of dust and dirt in each room.

``Lance Corporal Arredondo led his Marines clearing the objective in a superb manner, never slowing down and never showing any fear. After the exhausting attack, when the platoon had gained control of the building, Lance Corporal Arredondo personally emplaced his marines in an exemplary manner while setting up a defense and preparing for further engagements with the enemy.

``After his fire team was set in defense, Lance Corporal Arredondo was shot and mortally wounded by a sniper as he walked the line checking his marines. Lance Corporal Arredondo fought alongside his fellow marines and displayed the highest levels of courage and selflessness during the three weeks of fighting in Najaf. He gave his life fighting for freedom and defending his fellow marines.''

That was not written by me or my staff. That was written by his commander. I think that that alone, that one paragraph, clearly underscores exactly what kind of a person Lance Corporal Arredondo was. For a man to give his life at such a young and tender age is an incredible thing, and I am proud--and I want to be very clear, this is the first time I have been here on something like this. I don't take this lightly at all this. This is not just naming another thing after another person. This particular one is very important to me, to my constituents, and to his family because of the service he rendered for this country, because of the fact that he gave his life fighting for our freedom and our rights. I just want to say thank you to the committee again for bringing this bill to the floor, and thank you to the people who have supported this bill.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5877) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the ``Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building''.

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

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

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present H.R. 5877, legislation that designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the ``Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building.''

Introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts, Representative Michael Capuano, on July 27, 2010, H.R. 5877 enjoys the support of Massachusetts' entire delegation to the House.

Madam Speaker, Lance Corporal Arredondo of Randolph, Massachusetts, was the 968th U.S. military fatality of Operation Iraqi Freedom. An avid martial arts enthusiast, he studied at the New England Academy of Martial Arts in Randolph, where he also taught courses to young students.

He was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Sadly, on August 25, 2004, Lance Corporal Arredondo was killed by a sniper in Najaf. He was 20 years old.

In closing, let us pay tribute to the life and service of Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo by naming the Jamaica Plain Post Office Building in his honor. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5877.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the chief sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano).

Madam Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

I rise today in support of H.R. 5877, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the ``Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building.''

Madam Speaker, it is altogether fitting and proper that we name this post office in Jamaica Plain for a true American hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Born August 5, 1984, Alexander Scott Arredondo graduated from Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton, Massachusetts, in the year 2002. He joined the Marine Corps and was assigned to the 1 Marine Expeditionary Force based out of Camp Pendleton, California. He was deployed to Iraq and served his first tour of duty in 2003, which lasted 9 months. In June, 2004, Lance Corporal Arredondo was deployed back to Iraq. Sadly, Madam Speaker, Lance Corporal Arredondo died in Najaf, Iraq, defending freedom and protecting our Nation.

At only 20 years old, Lance Corporal Arredondo was on his second tour of duty supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, proving this young man's bravery, courage, and dedication. He is truly an American hero, and I urge all Members to join us in support of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, Monday, November 29, I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 5877 and H. Res. 771 and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote. Last night I was conducting a meeting with local businesses in my district and was unable to travel to Washington, DC in time for the votes.

Had I been present on rollcall No. 581 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 5877, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the ``Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building'', I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present on rollcall No. 582 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 771, Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day, I would have voted ``aye.''