To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1449 West Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the "Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6205) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at

1449 West Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the ``Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office''.

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

I now yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6205, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1449 West Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office. H.R. 6205 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from New York, Representative Joseph Crowley, on September 23, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of New York's entire delegation to the House.

A native of the Bronx, Private Isaac T. Cortes held several jobs before enlisting in the Army. He was very proud to work as a security guard at Yankee Stadium and at one point hoped to become an officer with the New York City Police Department. He enlisted with the Army in November 2006 to gain experience that would help him achieve that goal, but later decided to become a career military man.

Private Cortes served as an infantryman with the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Light Infantry, based out of Fort Drum, New York. He was a Humvee driver and performed operator-level maintenance on the vehicle. While overseas in Iraq, he participated in mountain Humvee and dismounted walking patrols. Private Cortes engaged in weapons cache searches and humanitarian aid missions to the local Iraqi people.

Sadly, on November 27, 2007, Private Cortes was one of two soldiers killed when an improvised explosive device was detonated as his vehicle rode past Amerli, Iraq, about 100 miles north of Baghdad. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Army Service Medal.

He is survived by his parents, Emily and Isaias, his younger brother Christopher, a young daughter Amaria, and a large extended family. They remember Private Cortes as the kid who would help elders carry groceries, the young man who would play with his younger cousins, and the father who wanted to be the best he could be for his young child. Today we also remember him as the soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Mr. Speaker, let us now pay tribute to the life and service of Private Isaac T. Cortes by designating the postal facility on West Avenue in the Bronx in his honor.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6205.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I have no further requests for time, and 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 rise in support of H.R. 6205, to honor Private Isaac T. Cortes, a Bronx native who was killed in combat in Iraq.

This legislation would rename the post office in his hometown in his honor.

Private Cortes was a son of the Bronx--he grew up in the Parkchester neighborhood, attending local public schools and Christopher Columbus High School.

His love for his hometown led him to work as a security guard at Yankee Stadium, a job that he was so proud to hold and that inspired him to a lifetime of service. While planning to become a New York City Police Officer, he decided to strengthen his skills and serve his country by joining the U.S. Army in 2006.

Private Cortes knew that this choice was dangerous. He also knew he would likely be sent to Iraq.

His family worried for him, but he knew what he had to do.

After training at Fort Benning and Fort Drum, Private Cortes was sent to Iraq in September of 2007. As a rifleman in the Infantry Squad with Charlie Troop, 1-71 Cavalry Squadron, Private Cortes performed weapons searches and humanitarian aid missions to help the local Iraqi people.

He loved the Army, and was prepared to make it his career. His family has described how proud he was to protect his country. He said the military was his ``calling.''

On November 27, 2007, just after Thanksgiving, Private Cortes was out on one of his combat patrols when an improvised explosive device was detonated near his vehicle in Amerli, Iraq--about 100 miles north of Baghdad.

Private Cortes was killed instantly, along with Specialist Benjamin Garrison, in the roadside attack. He was only 26 years old.

His awards and honors include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

The Bronx, the Congress and the Nation will always remember Private Cortes as a decorated soldier. But, I would also like to take a moment to ensure we forever remember Isaac, the man.

Isaac lived by the motto ``Go big or go home.'' He was known for his big heart and his loving ways, which his family continues in his honor through blood donation events and clothing, food and toy drives.

He was known to his neighbors as a smiling face and a helpful hand, always willing to help carry groceries.

Even while overseas, his family was always in his heart, including his parents, grandparents, brother, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. And above all, he loved the little girl that he raised as his own daughter.

His family has kept his memory alive, and today we take the next step in honoring this Bronx native and his service to the United States.

Renaming the post office in the neighborhood where he grew up after him will serve as a reminder to us all of his courage, integrity and sacrifice. This legislation will ensure that his service and his spirit will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unable to participate in seven votes on the floor of the House of Representatives today due to a family medical issue.

The first vote was H.R. 5546--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 600 Florida Avenue in Cocoa, Florida, as the ``Harry T. and Harriette Moore Post Office.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The second vote was H. Res. 1759--Expressing support for designation of January 23rd as ``Ed Roberts Day.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The third vote was S. Con. Res. 72--A concurrent resolution recognizing the 45th anniversary of the White House Fellows Program. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The fourth vote was H.R. 6205--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1449 West Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the ``Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The fifth vote was H. Res. 1764--Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2965--Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on that question.

The sixth vote was H. Res. 1761--Congratulating Auburn University quarterback and College Park, Georgia, native Cameron Newton on winning the 2010 Heisman Trophy for being the most outstanding college football player in the United States. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

The seventh vote was H. Res. 1743--Congratulating Gerda Weissmann Klein on being selected to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on that question.

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

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6205, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1449 West Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office.

Mr. Speaker, Private Cortes was born and raised in the Bronx and joined the Army in November of 2006. After basic training, he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division based out of Fort Drum, New York. In September 2007, Private Cortes deployed to Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. And sadly, Mr. Speaker, less than 2 months later, on November 27, 2007, Private Cortes died when the vehicle he was riding in was struck by an improvised explosive device. Private Cortes was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star to honor his bravery and courage.

Mr. Speaker, it is altogether fitting and proper that we name this post office to honor Private Cortes. This was a man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, fighting for our freedom and the freedom of the Iraqi people. The least we can do is honor his memory by naming this post office after him. I join all Members to join me in strong support of this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent on December 15, 2011. If I was present, I would have voted on the following: H.R. 5446--rollcall No. 631--``yea''; H. Res. 1759--rollcall No. 632--``yea''; S. Con. Res. 72--rollcall No. 633--``yea''; H.R. 6205--rollcall No. 634--``yea''; H. Res. 1764--rollcall No. 635-- ``yea''; H. Res. 1761--rollcall No. 636--``yea''; H. Res. 1743-- rollcall No. 637--``yea''; H.R. 2965--rollcall No. 638--``yea.''