To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Bay Street, Suite 2, in Staten Island, New York, as the "Sergeant Angel Mendez Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a brother, a member of the United States Marine Corps. He gave his life for his country and fellow marines during the Vietnam war.

Sergeant Angel Mendez was born to Puerto Rican American parents but was raised in the Mission of the Immaculate Virgin, an orphanage located in Mount Loretto, in my hometown in Staten Island, New York.

When Angel graduated from high school in 1964, he volunteered to join the United States Marine Corps. Angel Mendez was assigned to Company Foxtrot, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division as a corporal and often said he found a family in the United States Marine Corps. His company participated in Operation DeSoto in Duc Pho, Vietnam.

During a search and destroy mission on March 16, 1967, Mendez and his company were taken under intense Viet Cong fire. Half of the company sat across an open rice paddy separated by enemy fire. Among them was the platoon commander, Lieutenant Ronald Castille, who had been shot in his right

leg; and without hesitation, Sergeant Mendez volunteered to lead a small squad to help his fellow marines and move Lieutenant Castille to safety.

Castille remembers Mendez shouting, ``I'm coming, Lieutenant, I'm coming,'' as he crossed the open paddy, providing cover fire for the platoon commander and other wounded marines. Mendez shielded Lieutenant Castille with his own body as he dressed the wound on his leg and attempted to carry the commander to safety, but it was at this point that he was shot in the shoulder. Two marines came to aid Mendez in carrying Lieutenant Castille to safety, but he refused to let go of the lieutenant and chose to directly expose himself to enemy fire while still carrying Castille's legs. Mendez was shielding Castille and the other marines with his own body when he was mortally wounded.

Lieutenant Castille survived the attack, which occurred on his 23rd birthday, and later went on to become the district attorney of Philadelphia and chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Sergeant Angel Mendez is a true hero who gave his life protecting fellow marines; and in honor of his bravery, he was posthumously promoted to sergeant and awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest award for valor a marine can receive.

Angel Mendez is survived by his brother, Ismael, and sister-in-law, Aida, who have long sought recognition for Angel's heroic actions on that day.

I believe it is important for Congress to honor the sacrifice of my fellow marine. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2422 in honor of Sergeant Angel Mendez, and designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Bay Street in Staten Island, New York, as the ``Sergeant Angel Mendez Post Office.''

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Pierluisi).

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

I am very pleased to join my colleagues in supporting H.R. 2422. Without a doubt, Sergeant Angel Mendez was a very courageous young man. He gave a lot for his country, and he certainly deserves this rich honor.

The measure before us was introduced by Representative Michael Grimm on July 6, 2011. It has been co-sponsored by all members of the New York delegation and was reported favorably to the House by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on November 3, 2011.

This legislation commemorates the bravery and the sacrifice of Sergeant Angel Mendez.

As a child, Sergeant Mendez was raised in an orphanage on Staten Island.

Upon his graduation from high school in 1964, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

During his service with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Sergeant Mendez was sent to Vietnam.

While on a search and destroy mission on March 16, 1967, Mendez and his company were ambushed by the Viet Cong, and his platoon's lieutenant was injured in a rice paddy some 100 yards away from where Sergeant Mendez was exchanging fire with the enemy.

Sergeant Mendez rushed to his lieutenant's aid and shielded him with his own body as he dressed his wounds. While in the process of carrying his lieutenant to safety, Sergeant Mendez was shot twice and suffered a fatal wound.

He was only 20 years old at the time of his death in battle.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2422 honors the ultimate sacrifice made by Sergeant Angel Mendez by renaming the Bay Street Staten Island Post Office in his name.

I urge all of my colleagues to pass this legislation.

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

I want to commend my colleague, Congressman Grimm, for introducing this bill to name a post office in his Staten Island district after Sergeant Angel Mendez, who, at age 20, in Vietnam, laid down his life for his fellow marines, earning the Navy Cross for his actions.

Sergeant Mendez died far too young, but his short life was filled with greatness. With this bill, Congressman Grimm, a Devil Dog himself, honors Sergeant Mendez, the Marine Corps, and this country.

The bond between New York and Puerto Rico is deep and strong. Sergeant Mendez' parents were born in Puerto Rico and, like so many island residents of their generation, moved to New York in search of a better life for themselves and their children.

How Sergeant Mendez came to possess such character and courage will never be known; and, in fact, I am moved by the description just made by Congressman Grimm about his valor in Vietnam. But on that day in 1967 when he was mortally wounded on a battlefield thousands of miles from Staten Island, this New York son of Puerto Rican heritage became an American hero. Today, thanks to Congressman Grimm, we pay tribute to his strength and his sacrifice, and engrave his name in stone.

I am now, more than ever, a proud Puerto Rican American remembering the life of Sergeant Angel Mendez. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2422.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2422) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Bay Street, Suite 2, in Staten Island, New York, as the ``Sergeant Angel Mendez Post Office''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Grimm).

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

H.R. 2422, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Grimm), designating the postal facility at 45 Bay Street, Suite 2, in Staten Island as the ``Sergeant Angel Mendez Post Office,'' was introduced in July and favorably reported by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on November 3.

Stories like that of Sergeant Mendez demonstrate the bravery and courage of all those who have served or are serving in our Armed Forces. I urge all Members to join me in strong support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 258, H.R. 789, and Calendar No. 259, H.R. 2422.

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