Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3638) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Kings Road in Jacksonville, Florida, as the ``Rutledge Pearson Post Office Building''.

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 material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3638, introduced by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lawson). The bill names the United States Post Office at 1100 Kings Road in Jacksonville, Florida, after Rutledge Pearson.

Rutledge Pearson was an educator and instrumental leader in the civil rights movement. He is remembered for his ability to attract young people to the fight for civil rights. Tragically, he was killed in a car accident in 1967. Today, we honor his legacy and service to his community in Jacksonville.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4042) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1415 West Oak Street, in Kissimmee, Florida, as the ``Borinqueneers Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days 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 today in support of H.R. 4042 introduced by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto). The bill names the United States Post Office at 1415 West Oak Street in Kissimmee, Florida, after the Borinqueneers.

H.R. 4042 honors the 65th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army known as the Borinqueneers. Congress created a special unit of Puerto Rican soldiers shortly after Puerto Rico became part of the United States in 1898. Despite years of segregation and discrimination, the Borinqueneers served admirably in World War I, World War II, and the Korean war. We owe a great debt to the many soldiers who served in this unit and fought to defend our freedom.

In April 2016, the Borinqueneers were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the leaders of the United States House and Senate. We honor their service and sacrifice to the country.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to make the gentlewoman from Florida aware that I have no further speakers and I am prepared to close.

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

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

Mr. 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.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3655) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1300 Main Street in Belmar, New Jersey, as the ``Dr. Walter S. McAfee Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days 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 today in support of H.R. 3655, introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). The bill names the United States Post Office at 1300 Main Street in Belmar, New Jersey, after Dr. Walter S. McAfee.

Dr. Walter McAfee was a scientist, educator, and adviser to the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. He is credited as the first person to calculate the speed of the Moon.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the sponsor of the bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4285) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 123 Bridgeton Pike in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, as the ``James C. `Billy' Johnson 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 to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4285, introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo).

The bill names the United States post office building at 123 Bridgeton Pike in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, after James C. ``Billy'' Johnson.

Billy Johnson joined the United States Army in 1941 as a private and was later commissioned as an officer. Second Lieutenant Johnson was killed in action in 1944.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo), who is the sponsor of the bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kevin Strickler from Belgrade for the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to his country and leadership in his community.

Mr. Strickler joined the United States Marine Corps in 1983 and served until 1986 when he was honorably discharged as a corporal. Those closest to Mr. Strickler describe him as ``always a Marine,'' professional in action, appearance, and bearing.

Mr. Strickler's service extends beyond his military career. He is involved with several veteran, civic, and youth organizations. He is the Commander of the local Honor Guard and a member of the Gallatin Valley Memorial Day Parade Committee, where he instituted a program to honor Gold Star family members in the annual parade.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending Kevin Strickler for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Loice ``LA'' Trotter of Libby for the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to his country and leadership in his community.

Mr. Trotter joined the United States Army Air Corps at the outbreak of World War II. He was captured by the Japanese during their invasion of the Philippine Islands. During his 40-month captivity, Mr. Trotter endured extreme malnutrition and abuse and witnessed many atrocities. He was repatriated in 1945, shortly before the Japanese formally surrendered.

Stateside, Mr. Trotter continued his service as a member of the VFW, a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program, and a builder helping to construct a church. At 99 years old, he remains extremely proud of his country.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending LA Trotter for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Richard Gale of Bozeman for the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to his country and leadership in his community.

Mr. Gale served with honor during the Vietnam War as a United States Marine. His service to the nation continued following his military career.

Richard Gale is a pillar of the Bozeman community. He was awarded the President's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 for his strong commitment to volunteerism.

Mr. Gale is an active member of the Bozeman American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and eight other organizations. His civic service includes positions on the Bozeman Police Commission and the Gallatin County 9-1-1 Advisory Committee. The Bozeman Elks honored him as the 2017 Veteran of the Year.

I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Richard Gale for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Frank Stoltz of Miles City for the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to his country and leadership in his community.

Mr. Stoltz joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1943 and fought overseas during World War II. He was awarded numerous medals including the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. His service to his community, however, did not stop after his discharge in 1945.

Upon his return to Miles City, Mr. Stoltz started his own auto body repair shop and became active in supporting Montana communities through local and statewide business organizations. He also participated in the VFW and ExPOW organizations.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending Frank Stoltz for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stanley Watson of Forsyth for the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to his country and leadership in his community.

Mr. Watson enlisted in the United States Marine Corps following his high school graduation in 1966. He became a sergeant and served on many important battlefronts during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1968.

Following his military career, Mr. Watson joined Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1849, later serving other veterans as the post commander. He is a member of the Honor Guard and is a strong advocate for the organization, encouraging other veterans to become involved.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending Stanley Watson for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Daniel Ritter from Bozeman for the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to his country and leadership in his community.

Mr. Ritter served for over 20 years as a United States Marine, performing as a Chief Warrant Officer during Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.

Mr. Ritter continued his service to his community as a leader in the Marine Corps League in the Gallatin Valley. He is also a 1st Trustee for American Legion Post 14 and volunteers as a member of the Honor Guard for veteran services. He is active in assisting Montana Gold Star families and helps ensure a Marine presence in the Veterans Day activities of local schools.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending Daniel Ritter for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Theron ``David'' Gertz of Butte for the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to his country and leadership in his community.

Mr. Gertz joined the United States Navy in 1986 where he served two West-Pac tours. In 1989, he was on leave in Paris, France during Bastille Day celebrations when his hotel caught fire. Thanks to his shipboard firefighting training, he was one of the first to become aware of the fire and helped alert and save others.

Mr. Gertz was honorably discharged in 1990 and continues to serve. He is a role model to younger generations as a high school counselor to military dependents at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending David Gertz for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gene Bell from Belgrade for the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to his country and leadership in his community.

Mr. Bell joined the United States Marine Corps during the height of World War II. He served in the operation to liberate Guam and fought at Iwo Jima. His service to country did not stop when he finished his military career.

Mr. Bell is a member of the Iwo Jima Survivors Association and frequently travels and speaks about his experiences. Mr. Bell is described by his friends as a walking, talking Marine Corps advertisement who is knowledgeable and well-spoken. He has a positive outlook, and is a gentleman to everyone he meets.

I ask my colleagues today to join me in commending Gene Bell for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michael Lawson of Butte for the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to his country and leadership in his community.

Mr. Lawson joined the United States Marine Corps in 1966 and served in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After being honorably discharged in 1969, Mr. Lawson devoted much of his time serving veterans in his community.

Mr. Lawson is a leading coordinator for veteran celebrations in the Butte-Silver Bow area. He is active in the Marine Corps League, United Veterans Council, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. Mr. Lawson

is also a DAV driver and chairman of the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending Michael Lawson for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Phillip Lyons of Butte for the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to his country and leadership in his community.

Mr. Lyons answered the call to serve his country following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the United States Navy and later the Navy Reserve. Mr. Lyons was a submariner during World War II and the Korean War.

Mr. Lyons has been active with Butte's American Legion post for the past 70 years and served as the post's commander. Mr. Lyons was State Commander of the Montana Subvets, is a member of the DAV and VFW, and has logged over 15,000 hours of volunteer work on behalf of veterans and their families.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending Phillip Lyons for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Richard Allgood of Big Sky for the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to his country and leadership in his community.

Mr. Allgood served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, yet his service to his community continued well after his military career.

In Big Sky, Mr. Allgood was instrumental in the revival of American Legion Post 99, which now provides scholarships for local high school students and sponsors Boys State and Girls State programs as well as other local youth activities.

Mr. Allgood's tireless efforts have helped provide assistance to financially troubled veterans, aid to community members needing help with medical expenses, and support for the Vietnam War Memorial in Bozeman.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending Richard Allgood for his dedication and service.