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 yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3413, a bill I authored to rename the United States Postal Service facility at 1449 West Avenue in the Bronx, New York, in honor of Private Isaac T. Cortes, who tragically lost his life outside Amerli, Iraq, on November 27, 2007.

Private Cortes lived his life by a simple motto, ``Go big or go home,'' which can also be used to describe Isaac's decision to join the Army. Certainly there can be no more fitting instance of following the words he lived by than his decision to serve his country at a time when our country was fighting, not one, but two wars.

Isaac joined the Army in part because he felt that it would help him achieve his dream of one day becoming a member of the New York City Police Department, but quickly discovered that the Army was his true calling. Private Cortes loved the Army and loved the feeling of pride for country and community he felt when he wore the U.S. Army uniform, a pride so strong that Private Cortes intended to make a career in the Army, a career in the service of his country. Unfortunately, that dream was cut short on November 27, 2007, when Private Cortes, his Humvee, was hit by an IED, killing him instantly.

While Private Cortes did not get the chance to come home, his memory and spirit lives on through the love of his family, friends, country, and community.

The Army has recognized Private Cortes' exceptional service by awarding him 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.

Known for a big heart and his loving ways, his family honors his memory by hosting blood, clothing, food, and toy drives. And today, we have the opportunity to do our part to contribute to his legacy by passing this legislation, which will ensure his courage, integrity, and sacrifice will live on to inspire future generations to live up to his example.

There is nothing the government can do that will ever live up to Isaac's ``go big'' moment or erase the burden felt by his family, especially his mother, Emily Toro, who I know is watching the proceedings now; but, by passing this bill, at least this Congress can do something to help ensure that his memory survives.

I think it only appropriate that prior to passing this bill we honor the service of a World War II veteran, really showing the link between that great war to preserve democracy and freedom throughout the world and the sacrifices that have been made and continue to be made in a part of the world in the Middle East, in Iraq and Afghanistan, to preserve those same freedoms that we hold dear, that Private Cortes held dear, and as the people of the Bronx hold dear.

Just a note, Mr. Speaker, my colleague was talking about Bronx, New York. There are only three parts of the world that begin with ``the'': the Vatican, The Hague, and the Bronx, sometimes said ``da'' Bronx.

But the Bronx is very proud of its sons and daughters, many of whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice in wartime; and this wartime is not unlike any other, continues to sacrifice, as do the sons and daughters of New York City and New York itself.

So, Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Private Isaac T. Cortes' commitment to the Bronx, to New York City, to New York State, and to his beloved country, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the life of this brave soldier by supporting the passage of H.R. 3413

With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and once again wish Emily Toro and the entire Cortes family our regards.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3413) 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 yield myself such time as I may consume.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3413, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), would 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. 3413 was reported favorably by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on February 7 of this year.

Mr. Speaker, Private Isaac T. Cortes was born and raised in the Bronx and joined the Army in November of 2006. While at one time Private Cortes had aspirations of becoming a police officer with the New York City Police Department, his desire to serve and protect his country as a soldier soon won out. According to his brother, Private Cortes was ``proud doing what he did.'' He wanted to continue serving in the Army and serve to fight against terrorism.

In September of 2007, Private Cortes deployed to Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and served as an infantry squad leader in the 10th Mountain Division based out of Fort Drum, New York.

Sadly, Mr. Speaker, less than 3 months later, on November 27, 2007, Private Cortes died when the vehicle that he was riding in was struck by an improvised explosive device. He was just 26 years old.

For his bravery and courage, Mr. Speaker, Private Cortes was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Mr. Speaker, it is altogether fitting and proper that we name this post office in honor of Private Cortes. This man made the ultimate sacrifice fighting to protect the country that he loved. He put his own life in harm's way so that we can remain the land of the free.

For that, Mr. Speaker, I'm truly grateful. The least we can do, Mr. Speaker, is to honor him and his brave service to our Nation by naming this post office after him. I urge all Members to join me in support of this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3413, honoring the service in memory of Private Isaac Cortes and the sacrifices of his family, including Mrs. Toro, his service to this country and to the Bronx, by naming this post office in his honor.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following postal naming bills en bloc: Calendar No. 401, H.R. 2415; Calendar No. 402, H.R. 3220; and Calendar No. 403, H.R. 3413.

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