Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. Post Office Building

Floor Speech

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Ms. UNDERWOOD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6020, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois, as the Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. Post Office Building.

Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez, Jr., was born on April 8, 1999, and raised in Joliet, Illinois, in my district. By the time he graduated from Joliet Central High School in 2017, he already knew that he wanted to serve his country in uniform. As soon as he finished high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served his country with honor and bravery for 7 years as an M1 Abrams tank system maintainer.

Staff Sergeant Duenez' Army service included three overseas deployments: Poland in 2019, Germany in 2022, and Lithuania in 2025. He was promoted five times over the course of his Army service, ultimately reaching the rank of staff sergeant in November 2020.

During his service, he was recognized with two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, one Certificate of Achievement, two Army Good Conduct Medals, and a National Defense Service Medal.

In addition to his passion for service, Staff Sergeant Duenez also loved fishing and spending time with his family.

Tragically, on March 31, 2025, Staff Sergeant Duenez and three other U.S. soldiers were killed during an Army training exercise in Lithuania.

His record of exemplary service to his country is something that my constituents can all take pride in. That is why I introduced this bill to commemorate his sacrifice and establish a lasting reminder of his legacy.

We know that Staff Sergeant Duenez will never be forgotten by his wife, Karen; his son, Jose Duenez III; his mother, Leticia; his father, Jose; his five sisters; his 18 beloved nieces and nephews; or by the countless friends and neighbors in our community who knew and loved him.

This bill will ensure that the Illinoisans who were not fortunate enough to know him in life can still come to know him in spirit through the legacy he leaves behind and the impact he has had on our community.

Staff Sergeant Duenez was an extraordinary American who served his country with strength and resilience. This bill ensures that the Plainfield, Illinois, post office will bear his name as a reminder of his contributions not only to our country but to his community and family as a father, husband, brother, and son.

I am grateful to Senator Duckworth for partnering with me on this effort and to all of my colleagues in the Illinois delegation for their support in honoring the life and legacy of Staff Sergeant Duenez.

Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

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