Brian P. Parrello Post Office Building

BRIAN P. PARRELLO POST OFFICE BUILDING -- (House of Representatives - July 26, 2005)

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 904) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1560 Union Valley Road in West Milford, New Jersey, as the "Brian P. Parrello Post Office Building".

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Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, the global war on terror is being fought at home and abroad by the bravest of Americans. Lance Corporal Brian Parrello, a 19-year-old serving with the Second Marine Division from Passaic County, New Jersey, was one of the most heroic of our fellow citizens.

Lance Corporal Parrello was killed in the city of Hadithah in Iraq on New Year's Day of this year.

I know I speak for all American citizens when I say that we have boundless appreciation for Lance Corporal Parrello's service to our Nation. There are many ways we can remember his immeasurable efforts to rid the world of the scourge of international terrorism. One small, but meaningful, way we can memorialize Brian's selfless courage and his priceless life is through this legislation.

To get a sense of Brian's patriotism, I want to impart some words that his older brother Matthew Parrello shared with the local newspaper following Brian's passing in January. Matthew told The Bergen Record newspaper that Brian "wanted to serve his country, and he loved what he was doing. He was proud to be a Marine, and he loved the guys he was serving with."

Matthew said Brian had considered joining the military during high school. During his senior year, in February of 2003, Brian enlisted in the Marine Corps. He began active duty September 22, 2003, three months after his high school graduation.

Sean Poppe, Brian's high school football coach, said Lance Corporal Parrello "possessed a strong desire to excel in whatever he did." Indeed, Lance Corporal Parrello gave his excellent life to this Nation.

Madam Speaker, America owes the greatest of debts to heroes like Brian Parrello. No reward, decoration, or compensation can approach what Brian Parrello devoted to his country. However, I appreciate the Senator from New Jersey's efforts to remember Brian's life through this legislation that would name a post office after him in his hometown of West Milford, New Jersey.

Madam Speaker, I strongly support Senate 904.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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