To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1335 Jefferson Road in Rochester, New York, as the "Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende Post Office".

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5019) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1335 Jefferson Road in Rochester, New York, as the ``Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende Post Office''.

Madam 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.

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

I rise in support of H.R. 5019, which was introduced by Representative Louise Slaughter of New York. This bill would designate the postal facility located at 1335 Jefferson Road in Rochester, New York, as the Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende Post Office.

Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende died while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was killed in Kharwar, Logar province, Afghanistan, on July 27, 2012, when his unit was in the field and came under enemy fire.

During the attack, Specialist Glende helped the medic get his wounded comrades to take shelter in a trailer when a mortar round hit the trailer and killed him. Members of his unit said that he saved the lives of five of his fellow soldiers in the attack. He was only 23 years old.

A native of Rochester, New York, Theodore graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School in 2007 and enrolled at Niagara University. He soon felt called to join the U.S. Army and enlisted.

He is survived by his wife, Alexandra, whom he married just months before leaving for his first tour of duty.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor and privilege to pay tribute to this true American hero. I ask for my colleagues' support of H.R. 5019. Naming a postal facility after him is the least we can do to honor Specialist Glende's service and sacrifice.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, we have no other speakers and are ready to close.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

As I have been listening here just for the last few moments--and at this point, as the song says, ``We are over halfway there''--of listening through these what many people would say are just post office namings, if you listen to the stories that are being told, these are the stories of America, these are the stories of those who serve, those who gave their life, those who served us in other ways in their communities.

For that reason, if no other, this should be mandatory to watch in the elementary schools and high schools all across this country because this is what we are talking about is the best of America.

With that, I would ask support of passage of H.R. 5019, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Horsford and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) for their kind words that you have already said about my constituent, Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende.

As was said before, he was born in Rochester on January 13 of 1989. His life was taken far too soon at the age of 23, while he served his country and helped to protect the lives of his brothers in arms.

Those who knew him described him as a fun-loving jokester, who above all else was dedicated to service to his country. After graduating from McQuaid Jesuit High School in 2007, he joined the ROTC at Niagara University.

He was so passionate about defending his country that when he learned he would likely be commissioned as a Reserve lieutenant, he instead enlisted in the U.S. Army to pursue his goal of becoming an Active Duty infantryman.

After enlistment, Theodore was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based out of Vincenza, Italy. He then married his wife, Alexandra, on April 12, 2012, just a few months before leaving on his first tour of duty.

On July 27, Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende and his unit were ambushed. He courageously ushered his wounded comrades to shelter and endangered his own life. His selfless and sacrificial actions saved the lives of five of his fellow soldiers. He gave his young life in service to his country, and because of his bravery, he was posthumously promoted from private first class to specialist.

Today, I rise to honor the memory of Specialist Glende. With this legislation, the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1335 Jefferson Road in Rochester, New York, will be permanently designated the Specialist Theodore Matthew Glende Post Office.

While nothing we can do will ever assuage the grief of Theodore's wife, of his family and friends, this designation is a small token of our gratitude for his valiant service and will help to keep his memory alive for future generations.

Madam Speaker, at this time, I am pleased to yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), the ranking member of the Rules Committee.

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

I support the passage of this bill to honor the courage exhibited by this

young man in the face of danger. Because of Specialist Glende's brave actions, five American lives were saved on the battlefield. He deserves our respect for his honorable service.

I thank our colleague, Representative Slaughter, for bringing this legislation. I urge the body's adoption of H.R. 5019, and I yield back the balance of my time.