To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5323 Highway N in Cottleville, Missouri as the "Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge Post Office".

I thank the chairman.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of a great American hero.

On October 13, 2010, Missouri's Second District lost a fearless young man when Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge made the ultimate sacrifice for his country while serving valiantly during Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Phillip first decided to join the military at the age of 10 after witnessing the tragic events of September 11, and after graduating from Francis Howell Central High School in 2009, Phillip enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

To those who knew Phillip, his devotion to his country through service and sacrifice came as no surprise. He was always determined to protect family and friends and was a respected leader of humble, quiet, and kind nature who never sought accolades or recognition for his accomplishments. At the end of the day, he was happy just reaching his own personal goals while serving and protecting the country that he loved.

In addition to his military service, Phillip was an outstanding person. He always sought exciting adventures and new opportunities, from being a Boy Scout, an Order of the Arrow member, a member of the trap shooting club, a wrestler, a welder, and a skydiver among many other great things. There was no challenge that Phillip would back down from. It is for these fearless and courageous servants like Phillip that we are able to know we are protected and allowed to enjoy freedom and liberty here at home.

Phillip will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but most of all by his family: his parents, David and Julie Vinnedge; and his brothers, Corey and Jason.

However, despite their grief, the Vinnedges continue to work hard to honor the memory of Phillip. Phillip had always wanted to buy and restore an old 1950s pickup truck. Since he never had the chance, his parents bought a 1951 Chevy and dedicated it to their son and other fallen marines. The images of the truck resemble events from Phillip's life and ideas that were important to him. Julie and David Vinnedge now use the truck to promote charities such as Toys for Tots, the Missouri Military Memorial Foundation, and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

The United States of America owes Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge a priceless debt that we will never be able to fully repay. Therefore, the least I can do as a Representative of the United States Congress, it is my honor to sponsor H.R. 2391, a bill that names the Cottleville Post Office after such a genuine, honest, and great young man and by immortalizing a hero who gave up his life serving a Nation he absolutely loved. I am proud that this legislation will allow the inspiring story of Phillip to continue to be told in Missouri's Second District for a long, long time to come.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2391) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5323 Highway N in Cottleville, Missouri as the ``Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge 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 materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlelady from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner), the author of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I want to comment just briefly, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

First of all, Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge is among the very first postal

namings of the year. No other postal namings have occurred this entire Congress except these we are considering today for our fallen heroes. It has become clear that the public understands the importance of honoring those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, and so we do so today on behalf of the several fallen heroes.

This particular lance corporal, in addition to being from Missouri, deployed from Camp Pendleton in my district with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, a unit that has seen as a percentage the greatest amount of losses of any unit in the theater of Afghanistan or Iraq. The sacrifice of our marines in this conflict in Afghanistan with not a single body of water anywhere around it says a great deal about the new marines.

When Lance Corporal Vinnedge enlisted, he knew he was joining a force that wasn't waiting for a war in amphibious landing craft, but that in fact had already been and had fought with great distinction in Afghanistan, in addition to Iraq. He went there to serve his country, and he paid the highest cost. That is far too often what is happening around the world.

On behalf of the marines of Camp Pendleton, we have great pride in his service, his commitment, and I am pleased to urge all Members to vote for the passage of the naming of this post office after one of our heroes of this decade. With that, I urge support of this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 2391, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5323 Highway N in Cottleville, Missouri, as the Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge Post Office.

The measure before us was introduced on June 14, 2013, by my colleague, Representative Ann Wagner. In accordance with the committee's requirements, the bill before us is cosponsored by all members of the Missouri delegation. H.R. 2391 was reported out of committee by unanimous consent on March 12, 2014.

After graduating from Francis Howell Central High School in 2009, Phillip attended Lewis & Clark Technical School for 2 years. Described as loving life and the challenges it presented, it is no surprise that Phillip enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

Phillip Vinnedge was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Pendleton in California. In September 2010, Lance Corporal Vinnedge's unit was deployed to Afghanistan. Only a month later, he was tragically killed on October 13, 2010, as his unit was conducting combat operations in the Helmand province region.

While Lance Corporal Vinnedge will always be remembered as a marine who proudly served his country, those who know him best will forever remember him for his courageous and competitive spirit. Lance Corporal Vinnedge leaves behind his loving parents, Dave and Julie Vinnedge, and two brothers, Corey and Jason.

Lance Corporal Vinnedge is the recipient of the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that we pass this bill to show honor and appreciation to one of our fallen heroes.

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