March 16, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 6 7333 ‘‘Now John had no idea about these Ma- proceedings on this motion will be diers were conducting combat oper- donna and A-Rod rumors [about an affair], postponed. ations in support of Operation Iraqi and John goes, ‘So, where’s your wife?’ I f Freedom. Specialist Navarro, a mem- couldn’t believe it. But A-Rod just said she ber of the United States Air Force Jun- was in Florida at their other home with SPECIALIST PETER J. NAVARRO ior ROTC Program, graduated from La- their kids. POST OFFICE BUILDING ‘‘Then John asked him if his wife worked. fayette High School in 2003. He subse- John wasn’t trying to be smart. He was just Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to quently decided to forego his accept- curious. He told John that she didn’t work, suspend the rules and pass the bill ance at Truman State University in but that she had a psychology degree.’’ (H.R. 1217) to designate the facility of order to join the United States Army. John faced his death with courage, dignity, the United States Postal Service lo- As noted by his father, Jose, a retired a never-quit attitude and an awareness that cated at 15455 Manchester Road in chief petty officer for the United was hard to fathom. Ballwin, Missouri, as the ‘‘Specialist States Navy, Specialist Navarro was a John’s mother told of a nurse who started Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building’’. strong-willed young man and a dedi- coming to the family home in June. ‘‘The first time she was here, John said, ‘I know The Clerk read the title of the bill. cated soldier who cared for the soldiers why you’re here. You’re here to make me The text of the bill is as follows: that he worked with and would do any- comfortable in my last weeks. But it could H.R. 1217 thing for his friends. Mr. Navarro also be more than a few weeks, right?’ ’’ Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- recounts that his son wanted to try and ‘‘The kid was just unbelievable,’’ Mr. resentatives of the United States of America in make a difference, and that being a sol- Wetzel said. ‘‘His attitude and messages I Congress assembled, dier was what making a difference is in think changed how some people looked at SECTION 1. SPECIALIST PETER J. NAVARRO POST this time of our lives. their lives. He changed how I went about life. OFFICE BUILDING. Specialist Navarro’s dedication to his ‘‘I feel like a piece of my heart is gone (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the unit and his country was evidenced in now. The thing I’ll miss most is his smile. He United States Postal Service located at 15455 July of 2005 when he returned home to had a smile that could light up a room.’’ Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, shall John said his Catholic faith and belief in Wildwood to attend the funeral of his be known and designated as the ‘‘Specialist younger brother, Daniel, who had been God got stronger through his illness. Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building’’. One of the things that made John happy in (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, killed in a car accident. Specialist recent months was the start of a foundation map, regulation, document, paper, or other Navarro’s mother, Rowena, begged her that will raise money to help other sick record of the United States to the facility re- son not to return to Iraq in the sum- teenagers enjoy a sports experience. The ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to mer. As Mrs. Navarro recalls her son foundation was the idea of John and Mr. be a reference to the ‘‘Specialist Peter J. telling her, ‘‘Mom, they would be a Wetzel. Navarro Post Office Building’’. man short. Somebody’s taking my ‘‘If I can help someone else going through this, then that would make me feel good,’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- place, and that’s not fair. They’d do John said. ant to the rule, the gentleman from the same thing for me.’’ The foundation has a Web site— Massachusetts (Mr. LYNCH) and the Mr. Speaker, Specialist Peter J. www.courageforlifefoundation.org—where gentleman from California (Mr. ISSA) Navarro’s life stands as a testament to donations can be made. each will control 20 minutes. the bravery and dedication of the he- When asked a few weeks ago how he would The Chair recognizes the gentleman roic men and women who have served like to be remembered, John said, ‘‘I could from Massachusetts. and continue to serve our Nation at see people having some beers and hopefully GENERAL LEAVE home and abroad. It is my hope that we remembering how I always tried my best, no can further honor his service through matter what I was doing. That’s my mes- Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- sage—just for people to always do their best, imous consent that all Members have 5 the passage of this legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in no matter what they’re doing or how stupid legislative days within which to revise supporting H.R. 1217 and dedicate the it might seem. And no matter what, there and extend their remarks. Manchester Road Post Office in will always be a reward, no matter how The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there small it is.’’ Ballwin, Missouri, after this out- objection to the request of the gen- In addition to his parents, John is survived standing American soldier. by his younger sister, Lexie. tleman from Massachusetts? I reserve the balance of my time. Visitation will be tomorrow and Friday There was no objection. Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Noll Funeral Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I now yield such time as I may consume. Home, 333 Third St., Beaver. A Mass will be myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday in SS. Peter Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to support of designating the facility of & Paul Church, Beaver. Burial will follow at present for consideration H.R. 1217, the United States Postal Service lo- Beaver Cemetery. which designates the United States The family asks memorial contributions be cated at 15455 Manchester Road in made to John Challis Courage For Life Foun- postal facility located at 15455 Man- Ballwin, Missouri, as the Specialist dation, P.O. Box 123, Monaca, PA 15061. chester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building. Also, there will be a golf outing to benefit the Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post As you may know, in the previous Con- John’s foundation Monday at Chartiers Office Building. gress, we had voted to name this post Country Club. For more information, go to Introduced by Representative W. office and, unfortunately, the term www.courageforlifefoundation.org. TODD AKIN on February 26, 2009, and re- ended before we were able to pass this. Mr. LYNCH. I yield back the balance ported out of the Oversight and Gov- But the failure of the Senate to act of our time. ernment Reform Committee on March should not diminish what happened in The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 10, 2009, by a voice vote, H.R. 1217 en- the summer of 2005 when Specialist question is on the motion offered by joys the support, the unanimous sup- Peter J. Navarro returned home from the gentleman from Massachusetts port of the entire Missouri House dele- duty in Iraq to join his family at their (Mr. LYNCH) that the House suspend gation. home in Wildwood, Missouri, not for a the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 987. A resident of Wildwood, Missouri, joyful reunion, but to bury his younger The question was taken. Specialist Peter Joseph Navarro brave- brother, who had died in a car accident. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the ly served with the United States After Daniel’s funeral, Peter’s moth- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Army’s 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor, 3rd er, distraught over the loss of her mid- in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Brigade Combat Team out of Fort dle son, begged him not to return to Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, on that I Riley, Kansas. Iraq. This young man’s response to his demand the yeas and nays. On December 13, 2005, Specialist grieving mother is nothing short of he- The yeas and nays were ordered. Navarro and three fellow members of roic. He had to go back. He said, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- his unit were killed in Taji, Iraq, when ‘‘Mom, they would be a man short. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the an improvised explosive device deto- Somebody’s taking my place, and Chair’s prior announcement, further nated near their Humvee while the sol- that’s not fair.’’

VerDate Mar 15 2010 13:50 Jun 30, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H16MR9.000 H16MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 7334 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 6 March 16, 2009 b 1615 Peter’s commitment and dedication to his GENERAL LEAVE This selfless devotion to his com- country is a shining example of how our mili- Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- rades and his country exemplifies the tary men and women are the finest our nation imous consent that all Members may character of this tremendous young has to offer. His and his family’s sacrifice have 5 legislative days in which to re- man. should serve as a reminder to all that the free- vise and extend their remarks. Forgoing his acceptance to Truman dom we enjoy as Americans is not free but the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gen- State University, Specialist Navarro result of the tremendous bravery and selfless tleman from Massachusetts? enlisted in the Army right after his service of men and women willing put them- selves in harms way for freedom’s cause. There was no objection. graduation from Lafayette High School Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time Our nation will be forever indebted to Spe- in 2003. as I may consume. This young man believed in the mis- cialist Peter Navarro. Mr. Speaker, I ask that Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the sion, men, and country he served. Trag- my colleagues join me today in honoring House subcommittee with jurisdiction ically, on December 13, 2005, just 1 Peter. over the United States Postal Service, month before he was scheduled to end Vote ‘‘yes’’ on H.R. 1217. I am pleased to present for consider- his deployment, Specialist Navarro lost Mr. ISSA. I yield back the balance of ation H.R. 1284, a bill to designate the his life while on patrol in Iraq. my time. United States Postal Facility located Specialist Navarro has been awarded Mr. LYNCH. Again, Mr. Speaker, I’d at 103 West Main Street in McLain, the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple like to thank the gentleman from Mis- Mississippi, as the ‘‘Major Ed W. Free- Heart, and the Bronze Star for his serv- souri (Mr. AKIN) for authoring the man Post Office Building.’’ ice. Specialist Navarro’s father, a vet- measure at hand. I urge my colleagues Introduced by my friend, Representa- eran of the Navy, remembers his to support the passage of H.R. 1217. tive GENE TAYLOR, on March 3, 2009, strong-willed son with admiration: ‘‘He I yield back the balance of my time. and reported out of the Oversight and died because he was trying to make a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Government Reform Committee on difference, and being a soldier was question is on the motion offered by March 10, 2009, by voice vote, H.R. 1284 what was making a difference in this the gentleman from Massachusetts enjoys the support of the entire Mis- time of life.’’ (Mr. LYNCH) that the House suspend sissippi House delegation. Like many young men and women in the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1217. Born in Neely, Mississippi, on No- uniform today serving our country, The question was taken. vember 20, 1927, Major Ed W. Freeman Specialist Navarro in fact has made the The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the proudly served his country in the decision to go into harm’s way to help opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being United States Army as a fixed and ro- another people far away—people he in the affirmative, the ayes have it. tary wing aircraft pilot. On July 16, never met, people he knows nothing Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, on that I de- 2001, President George W. Bush pre- about, and people who he only knows mand the yeas and nays. sented Major Freeman with the Medal he’s going because our country is there The yeas and nays were ordered. of Honor—the United States military’s and because we are trying to make a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- highest commendation—in recognition difference. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the of his brave actions during the Viet- I join with the majority today and Chair’s prior announcement, further nam War. with Congressman AKIN, who could not proceedings on this motion will be Major Freeman began his distin- be here, for passage of his bill, in say- postponed. guished military career at the age of 17, with 2 years of service in the United ing this is the right name in this town f for the right individual who gave so States Navy during World War II. He MAJOR ED W. FREEMAN POST completely to the American people, subsequently joined the United States OFFICE and I urge support. Army, serving in Germany for 4 years before being deployed to Korea. Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill Notably, Major Freeman received his strong support of H.R. 1217, a bill I introduced well-familiar nickname of ‘‘Too Tall’’ to honor the life of Peter J. Navarro by desig- (H.R. 1284) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service lo- after being told that he was too tall to nating the post office in Ballwin, Missouri, as serve as an Army pilot. However, he cated at 103 West Main Street in the ‘‘Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office quickly dispelled this notion by becom- McLain, Mississippi, as the ‘‘Major Ed Building.’’ A resident of Wildwood, Missouri, ing one of the Army’s finest helicopter W. Freeman Post Office’’. Specialist Peter J. Navarro was part of Com- pilots. pany A, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, The Clerk read the title of the bill. Major Freeman’s bravery, dedication, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Divi- The text of the bill is as follows: and flying skills were never more evi- sion. On December 13, 2005 Specialist H.R. 1284 dent than on November 14, 1965, during Navarro was one of four soldiers killed when Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- the battle of Ia Drang, at Landing Zone a roadside bomb detonated near their Humvee resentatives of the United States of America in X-Ray, in Vietnam. As noted in his during combat operations in Taji, Iraq. Congress assembled, Medal of Honor citation, Major Free- A graduate of Lafayette High School, Peter SECTION 1. MAJOR ED W. FREEMAN POST OF- man ‘‘distinguished himself by numer- declined his acceptance at Truman State Uni- FICE. ous acts of conspicuous gallantry and versity so he could join the Army right after (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the extraordinary intrepidity’’ as a mem- graduation. United States Postal Service located at 103 West Main Street in McLain, Mississippi, ber of Company A, 229th Assault Heli- When Peter returned home for his younger shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Major copter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. brother’s funeral, he was faced with the unde- Ed W. Freeman Post Office’’. Specifically, as a flight leader and niable risks of serving his country. However, (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, second-in-command of a 16-helicopter he returned to Iraq telling friends and family, map, regulation, document, paper, or other lift unit, then-Captain Freeman sup- ‘‘They need me there.’’ record of the United States to the facility re- ported a heavily engaged American Peter was a dedicated soldier, willing to give ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to battalion at the Landing Zone in the Ia the ultimate sacrifice to protect his county and be a reference to the ‘‘Major Ed W. Freeman Drang Valley by ‘‘flying his unarmed the men and women who reside there. As Post Office’’. helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy Peter’s father, Jose Navarro said, ‘‘He cared The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- fire, time after time, delivering criti- for the soldiers he worked with. He would do ant to the rule, the gentleman from cally needed ammunitions, water, and anything for his friends. And he told me he be- Massachusetts (Mr. LYNCH) and the medical supplies to the besieged bat- lieved in what the mission was.’’ gentleman from California (Mr. ISSA) talion.’’ As the father of two Marines, one of whom each will control 20 minutes. Additionally, Major Freeman flew 14 has served in Iraq; it is a privilege to stand The Chair recognizes the gentleman separate rescue missions which re- here today to honor one of our fallen soldiers. from Massachusetts. sulted in the lifesaving evacuation of

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