To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 Kerr Avenue in Rome City, Indiana, as the "SPC Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office".

I thank the gentleman from Texas as well as the gentleman from Missouri for their support today and for the committee supporting H.R. 3501. I would also like to thank each of the members of the Indiana delegation for their sponsorship of this bill as well.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3501, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 Kerr Avenue in Rome City, Indiana, as the SPC Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office.

Growing up in Rome City, Indiana, Nicholas served his community with a smile. A Boy Scout, paperboy, wrestler, and member of the marching band, his cheerful manner and work ethic were contagious.

Nicholas decided to enlist in the Army during his junior year of high school. His loving mother, Lori, proudly tells the story of her patriotic son who was so eager to serve his country that a freight train couldn't stop him.

Only a week after graduating, Nicholas left for boot camp at Fort Benning, Georgia. Nicholas chose to serve in the infantry. In August of 2006, he and his unit, First Battalion, 26th Infantry, Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division, were deployed to Iraq.

Far from the safety of his Indiana home, Specialist Hartge patrolled the streets of Adhamiyah, a neighborhood in east-central Baghdad. Despite his age, Nicholas' determination and attitude set him apart.

Members of the 3rd Platoon in Charlie Company knew they could depend on him. In the midst of a war zone, Nicholas served with distinction and earned the respect of his fellow soldiers and commanders. His gifts and strengths were known to those he served with. With the goal of attending West Point, he worked with his commanding officer to prepare himself for the challenges ahead.

During a leave, Specialist Hartge came home and took the SAT test in preparation for West Point. Although he could have taken a different path, Nicholas' devotion to his unit led him to put his pursuit of the academy on hold until he finished his combat tour. Putting aside his own safety, he returned to Iraq to serve alongside his unit.

On May 14, 2007, his patrol came under heavy attack. While navigating through intense fire, his Humvee hit a roadside bomb. Specialist Hartge lost his life in that attack. Specialist Hartge was awarded the Bronze Star for his final act of heroism.

Hoosiers in Rome City and Americans across the country enjoy our freedoms because heroes like Nicholas and his family have paid the dearest price. We can never take that fact lightly.

Madam Speaker, Specialist Hartge lost his life serving the country he loved. Renaming the post office of the community that loves and remembers him is a small, but important, gesture to recognize this young man.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3501) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 Kerr Avenue in Rome City, Indiana, as the ``SPC Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office''.

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

General Leave

Madam Speaker, I also ask unanimous consent that all Members may be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to place extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

H.R. 3501, introduced by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Stutzman), would designate the facility of the United States Postal

Service located at 125 Kerr Avenue in Rome City, Indiana, as the SPC Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office. This bill was introduced on November 18, 2011, and was reported favorably from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on February 7.

Nicholas Hartge grew up in Rome City, Indiana, and during high school decided to serve his country by joining the military. Nicholas served in the Third Platoon in Charlie Company in the First Infantry Division, and his company was deployed to Iraq in August of 2006. Nicholas' commanding officer, Commander Michael Baka, took note of the young man's character and aptitude and helped him begin the process of applying to West Point. While the prospect of becoming an officer thrilled Specialist Hartge, he never deviated from his devotion to his fellow soldiers.

On May 14, 2007, Specialist Hartge's unit came under heavy attack. While maneuvering through enemy fire, the Humvee carrying the specialist was struck by a roadside bomb. Nicholas Hartge received a Commendation Medal for outstanding achievement in the capture of Abu Hassan, a known IED facilitator in Baghdad. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic actions on the day that he was killed.

Madam Speaker, Specialist Nicholas Scott Hartge is a very worthy and appropriate designee of this postal facility naming, and I urge all Members to join me in support of this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes to my distinguished colleague and friend from the State of Indiana.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3501, honoring Specialist Nicholas Scott Hartge; and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

As a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I rise to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 3501, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 Kerr Avenue in Rome City, Indiana, as the SPC Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office.

The measure before us was first introduced on November 18 by my colleague Representative Marlin Stutzman, and in accordance with the committee's requirements, this bill is cosponsored by all members of the Indiana delegation and was reported out of the committee by unanimous consent on February 7, 2012.

Nicholas Hartge was adamant about joining the military after the profound personal effect that the September 11 attacks had on him. He enlisted in the Army before graduating from East Noble High School in Kendallville, Indiana, in 2005. In August of 2006, he was deployed and stationed in Baghdad.

On May 14, 2007, Hartge was killed when the vehicle he was riding in came in contact with an improvised explosive device. Four other soldiers on patrol with Hartge sustained burn wounds on as much as 70 percent of their bodies from the attack.

Nicholas Scott Hartge made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and his dedication and courage are a testament to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. For this reason, the post office in Rome City, Indiana, should be named in his honor. And I ask that we pass the underlying bill to honor the service, sacrifice, and valor of Specialist Nicholas Scott Hartge.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I urge passage of H.R. 3501, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam 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.

I ask unanimous consent that the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee be discharged from the following postal- naming bills en bloc, and the Senate proceed to their consideration en bloc: H.R. 1369 through H.R. 3276, H.R. 3412, H.R. 3501 and H.R. 3772.

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.