July 21, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 14 18525

CONRAD DEROUEN, JR. POST World War II, serving with the 1st Bat- b 1915 OFFICE talion, 2nd Marine Division. While fighting against the Japanese Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move In July of 1944, after serving overseas forces in Saipan, Mariana Islands, on for a few months, Second Lieutenant to suspend the rules and pass the bill July 3, 1944, Lieutenant DeRouen en- DeRouen was involved in the Battle of (H.R. 2972) to designate the facility of dured continuous exposure to enemy Saipan in the Marianas Islands. Re- the United States Postal Service lo- fire in order to guide tanks into areas grettably, Second Lieutenant DeRouen cated at 115 West Edward Street in of combat; and when the communica- was gravely wounded in the neck by Erath, Louisiana, as the Conrad tions systems failed, DeRouen seated enemy forces and subsequently died DeRouen, Jr. Post Office. himself behind the turret in order to from his wounds at the age of 23. continue the resistance. The Clerk read the title of the bill. In recognition of his distinguished In another assault on Japanese forces The text of the bill is as follows: service, Second Lieutenant DeRouen later on July 8, 1944, Lieutenant H.R. 2972 posthumously received the Navy Cross, DeRouen, despite being wounded in the Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- awarded for extreme gallantry and risk neck by shrapnel from an enemy gre- resentatives of the United States of America in of life in actual combat with an armed nade, refused to leave his post with the Congress assembled, enemy force and going beyond the call 1st Battalion to seek medical - SECTION 1. CONRAD DEROUEN, JR. POST OFFICE. of duty. (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the As noted by the accompanying cita- ance and, instead, continued to fight at United States Postal Service located at 115 tion, Second Lieutenant DeRouen, de- his station. DeRouen eventually col- West Edward Street in Erath, Louisiana, spite his wounds, ‘‘gallantly refused to lapsed due to pain and loss of blood and shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Con- was carried off the field of battle by his rad DeRouen, Jr. Post Office’’. be evacuated and remained steadfast in his station until he collapsed from pain comrades. He finally succumbed to his (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, wounds on his ship and was buried at map, regulation, document, paper, or other and blood loss.’’ record of the United States to the facility re- Additionally, the citation noted that, sea. ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to ‘‘By his initiative, courage, and devo- Lieutenant DeRouen’s actions were be a reference to the ‘‘Conrad DeRouen, Jr. tion to duty throughout these haz- an inspiration to the marines he fought Post Office’’. ardous operations, Second Lieutenant beside and were a contributing factor The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- DeRouen upheld the highest traditions in the success of the campaign in the ant to the rule, the gentleman from of the United States Naval Service.’’ Mariana Islands. Because of his heroic Massachusetts (Mr. LYNCH) and the Madam Speaker, Second Lieutenant death at the age of only 23 years of age, gentleman from (Mr. CHAFFETZ) Conrad DeRouen’s life stands as a tes- he was posthumously awarded the each will control 20 minutes. tament to the bravery and dedication Navy Cross for his bravery in a combat The Chair recognizes the gentleman of the heroic men and women who have zone, the second highest decorated from Massachusetts. offered the ultimate sacrifice in service Medal of Honor. Today I join the town of Erath in honoring this fallen hero GENERAL LEAVE to our Nation. with the dedication of their post office Mr. LYNCH. I ask unanimous consent Let us together honor this distin- to the name of Second Lieutenant Con- that all Members may have 5 legisla- guished Marine through the passage of rad C. DeRouen, Jr. for being the high- tive days within which to revise and this legislation to designate the West est decorated veteran in its history, a extend their remarks. Edward Street Postal Facility in his real hero and someone we should all The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there honor. honor. objection to the request of the gen- I urge my colleagues to join Mr. BOU- STANY, the lead sponsor of this resolu- As we honor Lieutenant DeRouen tleman from Massachusetts? today, we also must recognize our There was no objection. tion, in supporting H.R. 2972. I reserve the balance of my time. present-day heroes in Iraq and Afghani- Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I now Mr. CHAFFETZ. I yield such time as stan, those who have fallen and those yield myself such time as I may con- he may consume to my distinguished who continue to fight, and we thank sume. As chairman of the House sub- colleague from Louisiana (Mr. BOU- them as well as their families and the committee with jurisdiction over the STANY). families of all of our troops who put on United States Postal Service, I’m Mr. BOUSTANY. I thank my friend a uniform. pleased to present H.R. 2972 for consid- and colleague from Utah and my friend I now ask my colleagues to support eration. This legislation will designate from Massachusetts for this courtesy. this resolution. the United States Postal Service Facil- Madam Speaker, I rise today in sup- Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I have ity located at 115 West Edward Street port of House Resolution 2972, to des- no further speakers at this time, but I in Erath, Louisiana, as the ‘‘Conrad ignate the facility of the United States will continue to reserve the balance of DeRouen, Jr. Post Office.’’ Postal Service located at 115 West Ed- my time. Introduced by my colleague, Rep- ward Street in Erath, Louisiana, as the Mr. CHAFFETZ. It’s an honor to resentative CHARLES BOUSTANY of Lou- Conrad DeRouen, Jr. Post Office. I’d stand and rise in support of H.R. 2972 isiana, on June 19, 2009, and reported like to thank the Oversight and Gov- and the great American hero that we out of committee on July 10, 2009, by ernment Reform Committee for bring- know as Conrad DeRouen. I appreciate unanimous consent, H.R. 2972 enjoys ing this bill to the floor. bringing this to our attention, and we the support of the entire Louisiana Today, it’s really a distinct honor for look forward to having this post office House delegation. me to celebrate the life of United named after him. It’s the least we Born on February 12, 1921, Conrad States Marine Corps Reserve Second could do from a country that’s so ‘‘Snookie’’ DeRouen graduated from Lieutenant Conrad C. DeRouen, Jr., an grateful. Erath High School in 1937, and subse- extraordinary hero in World War II. I yield back the balance of my time. quently attended Vanderbilt Univer- A native of Erath, Louisiana, a small Mr. LYNCH. I yield back the balance sity, graduating with a master’s degree coastal town in my district, DeRouen of my time. in health and physical education. graduated from Erath High School, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The At the age of 21, Conrad DeRouen then went on to Southwestern Lou- question is on the motion offered by volunteered for service in the United isiana Institute, and subsequently re- the gentleman from Massachusetts States Marine Corps and was commis- ceived a master’s degree from Peabody (Mr. LYNCH) that the House suspend sioned as a second lieutenant at College in Nashville, Tennessee. the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2972. Quantico, Virginia. Following addi- He married Marguerite Domingues of The question was taken. tional training at Camp Pendleton, Abbeville, Louisiana, and at the age of The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Second Lieutenant DeRouen was de- 21 he volunteered to serve in the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being ployed to the Asiatic theatre during United States Marine Corps. in the affirmative, the ayes have it.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:23 Jan 13, 2012 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H21JY9.001 H21JY9 erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD 18526 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 14 July 21, 2009 Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Lakers guard , who played all in the consideration of H. Res. 566, Speaker, on that I demand the yeas but 8 minutes of the game; which provides for the recognition of and nays. Whereas the Lakers were able to defeat the the National Association The yeas and nays were ordered. Magic in Game 4 despite a 25- perform- Champion Lakers for cap- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ance by Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu; Whereas the Lakers won Game 5 against turing their 15th NBA championship. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the the Magic by a final score of 99–86, clinching House Resolution 566 was introduced Chair’s prior announcement, further a historic championship, Kobe Bryant’s first by Representative MAXINE WATERS of proceedings on this motion will be championship without Shaquille O’Neal, on June 19, 2009, and cur- postponed. Head Coach ’s 10th title as a rently has the support and cosponsor- f coach, and the Lakers organization’s 15th ship of 50 Members of Congress, none of championship; whom are from the city of Boston, CONGRATULATING NBA CHAMPION Whereas the Lakers recovered from a dev- courtesy of Chairman TOWNS. The astating loss in the 2008 NBA finals against measure has been considered and ap- Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move the to win the 2009 NBA proved by the Oversight Committee to suspend the rules and agree to the championship and achieve historic cham- pionships for Head Coach Phil Jackson, and and now comes to the House floor as a resolution (H. Res. 566) congratulating Kobe Bryant; means of highlighting the Lakers’ suc- the 2008–2009 National Basketball Asso- Whereas the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant was pre- cessful 2008–2009 NBA season and their ciation Champions, the Los Angeles sented with the NBA Finals final victory. Lakers, on an outstanding and historic Most Valuable Player Award; Madam Speaker, the Los Angeles season. Whereas in addition to the contributions of Lakers stand as one of sporting his- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- superstars Bryant, Gasol, and Odom, strong tory’s greatest franchises. The team tion. contributions by Ariza, Brown, Farmar, was founded in 1946 in Detroit and The text of the resolution is as fol- Ilunga-Mbenga, Bynum, Fisher, Powell, moved to Minneapolis where it adopted Vujacic, and Walton returned the glory that its name, the Lakers, after Minnesota’s lows: has marked much of the Los Angeles Lakers H. RES. 566 franchise history; State nickname, Land of 10,000 Lakes. Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are one of Whereas Lakers owner , General The Lakers relocated to Los Angeles in the most successful and respected franchises Manager , Head Coach Phil 1960. in the history of the National Basketball As- Jackson, and the entire roster and coaching In the 1980s, the Lakers became one sociation (NBA); staff have joined previous great Lakers of the NBA’s most electrifying and suc- Whereas prior to the 2008–2009 season, the teams in winning the NBA championship; cessful teams, winning five champion- Lakers won 14 NBA championships, with a and ships with Hall of Famers Earvin cast of players that, over the years, have in- Whereas the hustle, team defense, and ‘‘Magic’’ Johnson, Kareem Abdul- cluded NBA greats such as Wilt Chamber- overall unselfish play of the 2008–2009 Lakers Jabbar, , and Coach Pat lain, Erving ‘‘Magic’’ Johnson, James Wor- are emblematic of the tradition that has thy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, been a hallmark of the franchise for more Riley. The Lakers’ dominance extended , , A.C. Green, than 63 years, and serves as a model for into the 21st century as they won three and other Lakers stars, whose accomplish- coaches and players everywhere: Now, there- consecutive NBA championships from ments were captured courtside by legendary fore, be it 2000 to 2002. Lakers sportscaster Francis Dayle ‘‘Chick/ Resolved, That it is the sense of the House Thanks to this year’s impressive Chicky Baby’’ Hearn; of Representatives that— NBA Finals victory over the Orlando Whereas in the off-season, the Lakers’ Gen- (1) the 2008–2009 National Basketball Asso- Magic, the Lakers now boast the NBA eral Manager, Mitch Kupchak, with the sup- ciation (NBA) World Champions, the Los An- franchise record for the most wins, the port of the team’s owner, Jerry Buss, main- geles Lakers, are to be congratulated for an highest winning percentage, and the tained the Lakers core of Kobe Bryant, outstanding and historic season; and most NBA Finals appearances. Of , , , and (2) the Lakers, in winning their 15th NBA ; World Championship, capped a remarkable, course, I would be remiss if I failed to Whereas the combination of Bryant, Odom, unprecedented single-season turnaround that mention that my own beloved Boston Fisher, Gasol, and Ariza, led the 2008–2009 captivated basketball fans across America Celtics still hold the record for the Lakers to a 65–17 regular season record and and around the world. most NBA Finals championships. You the number one spot in the Western Con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- would think they would have picked ference playoffs; ant to the rule, the gentleman from someone else to do this resolution, but Whereas Ariza first came to fame as a Massachusetts (Mr. LYNCH) and the I am happy to congratulate a job well member of the 2002 and 2003 California State done. Championship teams at Westchester High gentleman from Utah (Mr. CHAFFETZ) each will control 20 minutes. Led by Head Coach Phil Jackson, one School in Los Angeles, California; of the most successful coaches in NBA Whereas the Lakers entered the NBA play- The Chair recognizes the gentleman offs with home court advantage as a result of from Massachusetts. history, and Finals MVP Kobe Bryant, the team’s regular season performance and the Lakers’ road to the NBA champion- GENERAL LEAVE defeated the in 5 games; ship was lined with its fair share of Whereas the Lakers then faced the Hous- Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask challenges. While playing in the highly ton Rockets in the Western Conference unanimous consent that all Members competitive Western Conference, the semifinals, winning in 7 games, with Pau may have 5 legislative days within Lakers earned the conference’s best Gasol scoring 21 points in an 89–70 victory in which to revise and extend their re- regular season record and were domi- the deciding game; marks. nant throughout the playoffs. Whereas the Lakers squared off against the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there high-octane , clinching the For this accomplishment, Madam objection to the request of the gen- Speaker, we stand to commend the Los series in 6 games, thanks to the outstanding tleman from Massachusetts? play of Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant; Angeles Lakers franchise, the players, Whereas the Lakers’ matchup with the Or- There was no objection. coaches and, of course, the diehard lando Magic in the NBA finals represented a Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I now Lakers fans on a job well done. I am battle between a veteran team, the Lakers, yield myself as much time as I may sure that the Lakers’ championship is and a young Magic team, led by Dwight How- consume. an enormous source of pride for the ard; Madam Speaker, as chairman of the residents of Los Angeles, the sur- Whereas the Lakers won the first 2 games House Subcommittee on the Federal of the finals in Los Angeles, including a rounding area, and the great State of Workforce, Postal Service, and the Dis- California as well. hard-fought Game 2, during which Kobe Bry- trict of Columbia and on behalf of the ant and Pau Gasol combined for 53 points, In closing, I urge the adoption of propelling the Lakers to a 101–96 victory; House Oversight and Government Re- House Resolution 566. Whereas although the Lakers lost Game 3 form Committee, I am pleased to join I reserve the balance of my time. in Orlando by a score of 108–104, NBA fans my colleagues, and principally Ms. Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I were treated to a 31-point performance by WATERS from the State of California, sympathize with the anguish and the

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