SERGEANT FIRST CLASS PAUL RAY SMITH POST OFFICE BUILDING -- (House of Representatives - July 12, 2004)
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4380) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4737 Mile Stretch Drive in Holiday, Florida, as the "Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith Post Office Building".
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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 4380, legislation designating the United States Postal Facility in Holiday, Florida, after Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith. This measure, which was introduced by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) on May 18, 2004, was unanimously reported by our committee on July 8, 2004. The bill enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire Florida delegation.
When Paul Smith graduated in 1989 from Tampa Bay Vocational-Technical High School, he did what a lot of young men and women do: he joined the Army. Sergeant First Class Paul Smith served in the Army's Eleventh Engineer Battalion, Bravo Company from Fort Stewart's Third Infantry Division, Mechanized. His unit was assigned to build a compound for Iraqi prisoners of war near the captured Baghdad Airport. As a combat engineer, Smith was part of a group that built bridges for troops to cross to difficult areas and found and destroyed enemy weapons.
According to news accounts, it was during the early morning of April 4, 2003, when Sergeant First Class Smith and his combat engineers were working on setting up roadblocks on the highway between the old Saddam International Airport and Baghdad. His battalion was attacked after knocking down the gate to a Republican Guard complex. At that point, a small group of American soldiers was confronted with over 100 Iraqi fighters.
Sergeant First Class Smith, after looking after his wounded troops, jumped into a damaged tank and fired upon the Iraqis with 50 caliber bullets for an hour and a half. His unit credits him with killing 30 to 50 of the enemy. When the fighting was over, Sergeant First Class Paul Smith was found shot in the head, the only soldier of his unit to die that day.
For killing the enemy and defending his unit against attack, Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith has received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He has been nominated for the highest military honor: the Medal of Honor.
Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to honor Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith in this manner. Sergeant First Class Smith was a loving husband and father, and now a hero. I urge swift passage of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.