To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the "Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building".

I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and legacy of one of New Jersey's sons, Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine of Waldwick, New Jersey.

Staff Sergeant D'Augustine was killed more than 2 years ago on March 27, 2012, while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan. In the greatest act of sacrifice possible, Staff Sergeant D'Augustine gave his life while protecting his fellow men and women in uniform. He was just 29 years old. Today, this House will honor Staff Sergeant D'Augustine's ultimate sacrifice by passing H.R. 1458.

This legislation will designate the United States Postal Service located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building. While no action by this Congress could ever repay his sacrifice, this bill will create a permanent and visible memory of his heroism.

It was just 1 day after graduating from Waldwick High School back in 2001 that Staff Sergeant D'Augustine enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force. Staff Sergeant D'Augustine had served two tours of duty in Iraq, and as was stated, he was just 2 weeks away from completing his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

While there, he worked as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal tech, and he was going ahead of his fellow marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen and was clearing the way for them. We will never know how many lives Staff Sergeant D'Augustine saved, but his numerous awards, including the Bronze Star with valor, the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the NATO-ISAF Medal, all speak of his selfless heroism.

Even after his passing, Staff Sergeant D'Augustine's legacy continues to this day in his community.

The Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Memorial Fund offers a scholarship to one male graduating senior and one female graduating senior who exemplify the highest standards of citizenship through strong character and dedication to community service. Since October 2012, the fund has donated more than $48,000 to numerous charities as well as making direct donations to veterans in need. The tremendous outpouring of love and support for his family since his death has provided a glimpse into the number of lives he has touched and also into the number of lives his legacy continues to touch.

To those who knew him best--his parents, Anthony and Patricia; his three sisters, Nicole, Jennifer, and Michele; and his brother-in-law, Len--he will always be remembered as a loving son and a loving brother.

To his fellow marines, he will be remembered as a faithful brother in arms.

To this Nation, he will be remembered as a patriot who loved his country, who loved the Marine Corps, and who gave his life in defense of freedom.

The Marine Corps motto is ``Semper Fidelis''--``always faithful.'' Staff Sergeant D'Augustine lived this motto, and his legacy embodies it. He was faithful to his country, and he was faithful to his mission. He was faithful to the Corps, and he was faithful to his fellow marines.

In times such as this, words fail to provide adequate comfort to his family and friends, and it is my sincere hope that they know that the prayers and gratitude of this Nation are always with them.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1458) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the ``Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 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 myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of H.R. 1458, introduced by Mr. Scott Garrett of New Jersey, which would designate the postal facility located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building.

Staff Sergeant D'Augustine was killed on March 27, 2012, in Helmand province, Afghanistan--a fierce battleground where over 19,000 marines were deployed. He was conducting combat operations with other marines. He died 2 weeks before he was due to come home for his sister's wedding. At this funeral, hundreds of Waldwick residents gathered at the church in his memory, and hundreds more lined the streets to pay their respects.

Staff Sergeant D'Augustine was a native of Waldwick, New Jersey. He graduated from Waldwick High School in 2001, where he wrestled and played football. In the Marines, Sergeant D'Augustine was assigned to one of the most dangerous jobs as a member of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. He bravely performed his duties and should be remembered for his courage and his heroism.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to pay tribute to Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine today by asking my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from the State of New Jersey (Mr. Garrett), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his leadership on this particular issue, for his love for those whom he represents and for his love for those who serve. I thank the gentleman so much for bringing this bill forward, and I urge all of the Members to support H.R. 1458.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of this bill, to designate the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building, and I very much look forward to hearing an account of Sergeant D'Augustine from Mr. Garrett.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his eloquent statement, and we fully support this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.