Captain Miguel Justin Nava Post Office

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCHOLTEN. Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased that my bill to rename the Comstock Park, Michigan, post office after Captain Miguel Justin Nava is being brought up for consideration today.

Captain Nava is an American hero. He represented the best of west Michigan. It is only right that his legacy is remembered in the community that helped raise him.

A true son of west Michigan, Captain Nava was widely admired and respected throughout the community. After graduating from Comstock Park High School, Captain Nava was nominated by former Congressman Justin Amash, who previously represented my district. He attended the United States Naval Academy. He was then commissioned to the Marine Corps to become a pilot, earning his wings in July of 2020. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 2021.

Captain Nava earned several decorations for his service, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

He was tragically killed while serving his country in a helicopter training exercise in February of this year. He is survived by a loving family whom he cherished, including the love of his life, his wife Ryann Isabelle Andres; his young son, Luca; his parents, Lisa and Javier; his brother, Nikolas, along with his grandparents and in-laws and many other family members who keep his legacy alive.

Getting to know Captain Nava's family and learning about his incredible legacy has been one of the true privileges of my service and representation of this district. I was proud to lead a moment of silence earlier this year honoring Captain Nava and his three fellow marines who were killed in the training exercise and later to welcome his body home to Grand Rapids at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

The groundswell of support for this bill that we have received both from the Comstock Park community and Captain Nava's fellow marines has been nothing short of inspiring. Passing this bill is the least we can do for a man who lived his life with honor and integrity in service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill.

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