Congressional Record—House H597
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February 15, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H597 2004. He was 35 years old. His loss was Sergeant Mastrapa was called back All human beings strive to occupy a made more tragic because it came just to active duty in 2003 to serve in Oper- valued place. One observer has offered 2 days before he was due to return ation Enduring Freedom. During his this definition for this desire: ‘‘You oc- home with his comrades in the 351st military service, he earned medals for cupy a valued place if other people Military Police Company, based in good conduct and service in the na- would miss you if you were gone.’’ Ocala, Florida. He is survived by his tional defense. He received two Army Mr. Speaker, Arthur Mastrapa occu- loving wife, Jennifer, and his two lov- Achievement medals and ribbons for pied a valued place. He left behind a ing children, Marisa and Reese. service in military law enforcement. wife, Jennifer, and two children Marisa Nothing could be more appropriate or Sergeant Mastrapa was a loving fam- and Reese. They, along with the rest of fitting than to name this post office ily man. He left behind a wife and two his family, miss him terribly. after Sergeant Mastrapa. Mastrapa was children and many, many relatives in His co-workers miss him as well. One a Reservist and a postal letter carrier the central Florida area, Cuba, Michi- described Sergeant Mastrapa as a man who worked full time at this post office gan, and Australia. He was also loved who ‘‘loved his job, loved his family, on Montgomery Road in Altamonte and respected by his co-workers at the loved his country.’’ Springs. I hope and pray that the dedi- post office. Another said, ‘‘I only knew him a cation of this facility in Altamonte Designating the post office in short time but it was long enough to Springs will be a meaningful reminder Altamonte Springs, Florida, is an ex- know what a great guy he was. Arthur of Arthur’s life and service to his fam- cellent way to honor the memory of was a family man. He loved his kids ily, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Arthur Stacey Mastrapa. and wanted them with him all of the The Mastrapa family needs to know Mr. Speaker, I commend my col- time.’’ that the heartfelt thoughts and prayers league for sponsoring this measure. I b 1445 urge swift passage of the bill. of all the Members of the House of Rep- So in an attempt to honor a man who resentatives are with them. We join Mr. Speaker, I have no further speak- ers at this time, and I yield back the occupied a valued place, his coworkers them in mourning their loss. requested that a special place be The United States of America owes balance of my time. named for him, the post office in its security and freedom to people like Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such Altamonte Springs, Florida, the very Arthur Mastrapa. Sergeant Mastrapa time as he may consume to the gen- place Sergeant Mastrapa worked prior and our Armed Forces have helped to tleman from Florida (Mr. FEENEY), my to leaving for Iraq for what turned out prevent another attack against Amer- distinguished colleague, the sponsor of to be his final journey. ica since September 11, 2001, by taking H.R. 324. Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Today, we are here to carry out his the war on terror straight to where our colleagues’ wish so they are reminded enemies live and plot. Certainly, the my friends from Pennsylvania and Illi- nois who did a great job describing the of Arthur Mastrapa when they arrive wonderful democratic election in Iraq for work each new day, and so his wife, on January 30 was in no small part pos- sacrifice that Mr. Mastrapa gave to his country on behalf of the citizens of his children, his family and his friends sible to Sergeant Mastrapa’s heroism. can come to see his name and remem- I know the Iraqi people, like all Iraq and, actually, freedom throughout ber his service, his sacrifice and his de- Americans, would thank Arthur if they the world. Mr. Speaker, today we honor a man cency. could. In closing, I would like to borrow Mr. Speaker, I thank the House lead- who honored us and dedicated his life from the words of President Harry Tru- ership for selecting this bill for floor to serving others. I thought I would man who said, ‘‘We know that helping consideration, and I greatly thank my take a few minutes to share some of others is the best way, probably the distinguished colleague from Florida the hometown effects of the loss of Ser- only way to achieve a better future for for working on H.R. 324. I urge all geant Mastrapa. ourselves.’’ Members to support this honor for Ser- Arthur Stacey Mastrapa put country and others above self. He possessed a Arthur Stacey Mastrapa’s desire to geant Arthur Mastrapa. help others and serve his country has Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of unique calling for both service and op- made the future a better place to live. my time. timism that left a mark on the lives of Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I all he met. I urge my colleagues to approve H. Res. yield myself such time as I may con- His sister-in-law, Tracy Mastrapa, 324 and create a lasting memorial to sume. described this calling: ‘‘He dedicated Sergeant Mastrapa’s name. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the his life to public service, first in active Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all House Committee on Government Re- duty as a military police officer, then Members to support H. Res. 324, and I form, I am pleased to join my colleague as a postal worker, and finally as a Re- yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. in consideration of H.R. 324, legislation serve MP. He was called to serve his TERRY). The question is on the motion naming the postal facility in country, which he did proudly with the offered by the gentleman from Penn- Altamonte Springs, Florida, after Ar- utmost integrity.’’ sylvania (Mr. DENT) that the House thur Stacey Mastrapa. This measure, His calling led him to join the Army suspend the rules and pass the bill, which was introduced by the gen- in 1992 and then as he left the Army, to reenlist in the Army Reserves after his H.R. 324. tleman from Florida (Mr. FEENEY) on The question was taken. January 25, 2005, and unanimously re- active duty years ended. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the His career outside the Reserve was ported by our committee on February opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of also in service of his fellow citizens, 9, 2005, enjoys the support and co-spon- those present have voted in the affirm- this time in central Florida. As a post- sorship of the entire Florida delega- ative. tion. al worker in Altamonte Springs, Flor- Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, on that I de- Mr. Mastrapa was a city letter car- ida, he earned the respect of those mand the yeas and nays. rier at the Arthur Springs Post Office around him. One of his colleagues said The yeas and nays were ordered. who served in the United States Army of his work, ‘‘I respected him for his The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Military Police in Iraq when he was positive outlook and his level head. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the killed in action on June 16, 2004. He was Also, his customers remarked how Chair’s prior announcement, further 35 years old and due to return home the much they liked him and appreciated proceedings on this motion will be week that he was killed. his dedication. He was a hard worker postponed. Arthur Stacey Mastrapa joined the and good family man.’’ f U.S. Army in 1992 and served at the Two years ago, Sergeant Mastrapa Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and later answered the call to serve for what CONGRATULATING THE NEW ENG- in Germany. He left active duty in 1998 turned out to be the final time. He and LAND PATRIOTS FOR WINNING and joined the U.S. Army Reserve. He his Reserve unit, the 351st Military Po- SUPER BOWL XXXIX became a letter carrier casual in lice, were deployed to Iraq. Last June Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I move to Altamonte Springs and soon earned a in Iraq, Sergeant Mastrapa made the suspend the rules and agree to the reso- career appointment. ultimate sacrifice. lution (H. Res. 86) congratulating the VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:39 Nov 16, 2006 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORDCX\T37X$J0E\H15FE5.REC H15FE5 CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with CONG-REC-ONLINE H598 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 15, 2005 New England Patriots for winning There was no objection. and for the third time in 4 years, the Super Bowl XXXIX. Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- New England Patriots, and the Brady The Clerk read as follows: self such time as I may consume. branch connection in particular, H. RES. 86 Mr. Speaker, I am truly honored to proved to all of us that they are indeed Whereas on February 6, 2005, in Jackson- be a new Member of the House. I look the champions of football. ville, Florida, the New England Patriots de- forward with great anticipation to this Mr.