To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas, as the "Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building".

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 298, a bill that would designate the United States Post Office located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas, as the Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building.

Mr. Speaker, I have the high honor of representing the brave men and women of Fort Hood, Texas, the largest military installation in the world. Every day that I have the opportunity to serve in Congress, I do so knowing that my number one responsibility is to give our men and women in uniform the support and resources they need to be successful. Each time I visit Fort Hood, I see America's finest--the soldiers who put it all on the line to allow us to live in the greatest country on Earth. Only 3 days ago, we celebrated Veterans Day, a somber reminder that freedom is not free. And today, here on the House floor, we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, another reminder to all of us that freedom is not free.

Representing Fort Hood, Texas, also comes with the sober reminder of the sacrifice that our young men and women in the military and their families make to the cause of freedom. Since September 11, 2001, 384 Army soldiers have been killed in action from the 31st District in Texas, the highest number of any congressional district in the country. Central Texans and their families have sacrificed much and know that freedom is not free.

Today, we celebrate the life and remember one of those patriots who served our country and gave his all, Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris. Matthew Morris was born on July 16, 1984, in Fairfax, Virginia. He attended Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Virginia, where he earned an ROTC leadership award. He later attended Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas, and went on to score in the 90th percentile on each section of the General Education Development test.

Specialist Morris enlisted in the United States Army in December 2005 and attended basic combat training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, followed by advanced individual training at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. He graduated from AIT in June of 2006 as a power generation equipment mechanic and was assigned to Howitzer Battery, 2nd Squadron, and the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas.

Specialist Morris served with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in Balad. Despite the dangerous nature of this work, he remained devoted to his mission; and the heroism he demonstrated in Iraq earned him the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq

Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Combat Action Ribbon.

Matthew Troy Morris was killed on April 6, 2008, when his vehicle encountered a makeshift bomb in Balad, Iraq. Matthew was only 23 years old. He is the oldest of four children, leaving behind Cory, Katie and Sam. Matthew's parents are Lisa and Glenn Morris of Cedar Park, Texas. His father, Glenn, served our country in the Vietnam war, and we should thank him for his service.

Matthew was engaged to be married to Ms. Julia Richardson. He is survived by his grandparents, Nancy Jackson and Joane Walters; his aunt, Diane Afflerbach; and uncles John and Brian Walters. The sacrifice our military families make often goes unnoticed, and I would like the entire Morris family to know that we will never forget Matthew and the pain that they have endured at his loss. Our country and this House have not forgotten Matthew, and we are proud to celebrate his life on this day.

Matthew Morris exemplified the highest ideals of the United States Armed Forces. And although his passing left a void in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him, they will forever carry the memories of this heroic young man close to their hearts.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 298 and ask my colleagues to join in honoring an American patriot and hero, Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris of Cedar Park, Texas.

On Saturday, I was at the dedication of the Veterans Memorial in Cedar Park, which holds the likeness of this young specialist, and there were hundreds of citizens--probably 500 people--there to celebrate that memorial.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 298, a bill that would designate the United States Post Office located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas as the ``Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building.''

Mr. Speaker, I have the high honor of representing the brave men and women at Fort Hood, Texas, the largest military installation in the world. Every day that I have the opportunity to serve in Congress, I do so knowing that my number one responsibility is to give our men and women in uniform the support and resources they need to be successful. Each time I visit Fort Hood, I see America's finest, the soldiers who put it all on the line to allow us to live in the greatest country on Earth. Only three days ago we celebrated Veterans Day, a somber reminder that freedom is not free. And today, here on the House floor, we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, another reminder to us all that freedom is not free.

Representing Fort Hood, Texas also comes with the sober reminder of the sacrifice that our young men and women in the military and their families make to the cause of freedom. Since September 11, 2001, 384 army soldiers have been killed in action from the 31st district of Texas, the highest number of any congressional district in the country. Central Texans and their families have sacrificed much, and know that freedom is not free.

Today we celebrate the life and remember one of those patriots who served our country and gave his all, Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris. Matthew Morris was born on July 16, 1984, in Fairfax, Virginia. He attended Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Virginia, where he earned an ROTC leadership award. He later attended Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas, and went on to score in the 90th percentile on each section of the General Educational Development Test.

Specialist Morris enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 2005, and attended Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, followed by Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. He graduated from AIT in June 2006 as a Power Generation Equipment Mechanic and was assigned to Howitzer Battery, 2nd Squadron, and the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. Specialist Morris served with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in Balad, Iraq. Despite the dangerous nature of this work, he remained devoted to his mission, and the heroism he demonstrated in Iraq earned him the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Combat Action Ribbon.

Matthew Troy Morris was killed on April 6th, 2008, when his vehicle encountered a makeshift bomb in Balad, Iraq. Matthew was only 23 years old. He is the oldest of four children, leaving behind Cory, Katie and Sam. Matthew's parents are Lisa and Glenn Morris of Cedar Park, Texas. His father Glenn served our country in the Vietnam War and we thank him for his service. Matthew was engaged to be married to Ms. Julia Richardson. He is survived by his great-grandmother Ruth Staton Jordan, his grandparents Nancy Jackson and Joane Walters, his aunt Diane Afflerbach and uncles, John and Brian Walters. The sacrifice that our military families make often goes unnoticed, and I would like the entire Morris family to know that we will never forget Matthew and the pain that you have endured. Our country, and this House, has not forgotten Matthew and we are proud to celebrate his life on this day.

Matthew Morris exemplified the highest ideals of the U.S. Armed Forces, and although his passing has left a void in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him, they will forever carry memories of this heroic young man close in their hearts.

Mr. Speaker, I urge immediate passage of H.R. 298, and ask my colleagues to join me in honoring an American patriot and hero, Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris of Cedar Park, Texas.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 298) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas, as the ``Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building''.

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

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

With the observance of Veterans Day this past Friday, it is timely and fitting that we name this post office in Cedar Park for Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris, a Texan and a true American hero who gave his life courageously defending freedom.

I would now like to yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague and friend from the great State of Texas, the sponsor of this legislation, Mr. Carter.

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

I am truly grateful for the brave and heroic service of Specialist Morris and the countless other veterans who sacrifice their time, the families that sacrifice their time, and the bravery and courage of all our veterans in serving our country and protecting our freedom. It is true that freedom is not free; and veterans like Specialist Matthew Troy Morris, whom we're proposing to name this post office after, are perfect examples of the bravery and courage of the American military.

Specialist Morris was born on July 16, 1984, in Fairfax, Virginia. He later attended Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas.

Specialist Morris was in Iraq, serving as part of the Army's 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division based out of Fort Hood. Tragically, on April 6, 2008, at just 23 years of age, Specialist Morris was killed when the vehicle he was riding in hit an improvised makeshift bomb. Specialist Morris left behind his parents, three siblings, a fiancee, and dozens of other family and friends. For the bravery, courage, and heroism he displayed, Specialist Morris was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and National Service Defense Medal.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation is eternally grateful for his sacrifice, and I urge all Members to join me in strong support of this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

I rise in support of H.R. 298, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas, as the ``Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building.''

The measure before us was introduced by Congressman John Carter. In accordance with our committee requirements, H.R. 298 has been cosponsored by all the members of the Texas delegation. It was reported favorably by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on November 3, 2011.

Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris was born on July 16, 1984, just across the Potomac River in Fairfax, Virginia. He was killed while serving in Balad, Iraq, on Sunday, April 6, 2008, after only 23 short years of life.

Specialist Morris was a loving son to his parents, Lisa and Glenn Morris, and a caring brother to his siblings Cory, Katie and Sam. Friends and family describe him as a dedicated soldier and an energetic and inspiring young man.

Matthew Morris joined the Army immediately after high school and was assigned to the 2nd Squadron of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment based in Fort Hood, Texas. While serving in Iraq, he earned the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the National Service Defense Medal, and several other decorations for heroism. Specialist Morris was a talented young man whose courage and sacrifice will forever be remembered.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that we pass the underlying bill to recognize Specialist Morris' valor.

Having no requests for time, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent on November 14, 2011. Had I been present, I would have voted on the following: rollcall No. 837--S. 1412 (Sen. Kerry), ``aye''; rollcall No. 838--H.R. 298 (Rep. Carter), ``aye''; rollcall No. 839--H.R. 2422 (Rep. Grimm), ``aye''.