To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 511 East Walnut Street in Columbia, Missouri, as the "Spc. Sterling William Wyatt Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask support for H.R. 4960, which would name the downtown Columbia, Missouri, post office in memory of one of our Nation's heroes, Specialist Sterling William Wyatt, who proudly served in the United States Army.

I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member and so many of my colleagues for your support of this legislation.

Sterling was born and raised in Columbia, Missouri, located in the heart of Missouri's Fourth Congressional District.

Early on, Sterling showed his commitment to service by being an active participant in his youth group and in his church. Through his service and hard work, he was quite an accomplished young man. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout, a first degree black belt in tae kwon do, and a certification as a certified nurse attendant, all before graduating from high school in 2009.

Soon after, he decided to continue his lifestyle of service by joining the United States Army. He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.

Tragically, Specialist Wyatt was killed on July 11, 2012, while on patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was only 21 years old. His vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device. His awards and decorations for his service are many, including, but not limited to, the Medal of Valor and Bronze Star.

Specialist Wyatt's dedication to serving his community and country were a testament to his faith and his family, especially his loving parents, Randy and Sherry Wyatt.

It is fitting that we bring this bill today for a vote before the United States House of Representatives, because just a few days ago we solemnly remembered the 6-year anniversary of his passing.

As representatives of the people who bravely serve our country, especially those who pay the ultimate sacrifice, we owe it to their lives and memories to never forget all that they have done for us.

Although Sterling was taken from us too soon, this bill will enshrine his memory in our community for posterity so everyone can know this brave soldier and be reminded that freedom is not free.

And maybe, when others learn about Sterling's story and sacrifice, they, too, will put service above self and answer the call to serve, which is the noblest and most honorable action anyone can take. Truly, greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. Sterling did this for his brothers and sisters in arms, for those who yearn to be free in a desperate land, and for all of us. We will forever be grateful.

And, with the renaming of this post office in Columbia, Missouri, the Specialist Sterling William Wyatt Post Office Building, we will always remember and always be grateful.

I ask my colleagues to support this legislation to honor Specialist Wyatt's memory.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4960) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 511 East Walnut Street in Columbia, Missouri, as the ``Spc. Sterling William Wyatt Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in 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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4960, a bill introduced by the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler) to name the post office at 511 East Walnut Street in Columbia, Missouri, in honor of Specialist Sterling William Wyatt.

Sterling Wyatt was born and raised in Columbia, Missouri. Even before he graduated high school, Wyatt had shown great service and achievement. He participated in the youth group and operated the sound equipment for his church. He made the rank of Eagle Scout. He earned a black belt in tae kwon do, and he received a certification as a nurse attendant.

After graduating high school in 2009, Wyatt continued his service, enlisting in the United States Army, where he was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, and was ultimately deployed to Afghanistan.

On July 11, 2012, when on patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Wyatt's vehicle was attacked by an IED, and he was killed in action at age 21.

Specialist Wyatt made the ultimate sacrifice in his service of his nation. In recognition of his heroism, Specialist Wyatt was awarded the Medal of Valor, the Bronze Star, and the National Defense Service Medal, among others. We commend him for his service and honor him for his sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Hartzler for introducing the bill and look forward to hearing more about the bill from her in the next few minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler), the sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 4960, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 511 East Walnut Street in Columbia, Missouri, as the Spc. Sterling William Wyatt Post Office Building.

Specialist Wyatt epitomized dedication and hard work, becoming an Eagle Scout, first degree black belt in tae kwon do, and a certified nurse attendant before his high school graduation.

He carried that spirit with him when he enlisted in the Army, joining the 20th Infantry Regiment. Specialist Wyatt deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, and gave his life on July 11, 2012, when his vehicle was hit by an IED. Just 21 years old, Specialist Wyatt was awarded the Medal of Valor and a Bronze Star.

Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to remember the ultimate sacrifice paid by Specialist Sterling William Wyatt.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 4960, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge the passage of H.R. 4960 in honor of Specialist Wyatt, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on July 16, 2018, I was absent from the House and missed Roll Call votes 329 and 330.

Had I been present for Roll Call 329, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 4946, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1075 North Tustin Street in Orange, California, as the ``Specialist Trevor A. Win'E Post Office'', I would have voted ``Yes.''

Had I been present for Roll Call 330, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 4960, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 511 East Walnut Street in Columbia, Missouri, as the ``Spc. Sterling William Wyatt Post Office Building'', I would have voted ``Yes.''

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, July 16, I missed the following votes due to significant delays with my flight back to Washington.

For Roll Call Vote 329, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4946, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1075 North Tustin Street in Orange, California, as the Specialist Trevor A. Win'E Post Office, I would have voted ``yes.''

For Roll Call Vote 330, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4960, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 511 East Walnut Street in Columbia, Missouri, as the Spc. Sterling William Wyatt Post Office Building, I would have voted ``yes.''