Staff Sergeant Omer "O.T." Hawkins Post Office

Floor Speech

STAFF SERGEANT OMER ``O.T.'' HAWKINS POST OFFICE -- (House of Representatives - May 21, 2007)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2078) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14536 State Route 136 in Cherry Fork, Ohio, as the ``Staff Sergeant Omer `O.T.' Hawkins Post Office''.

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois?

There was no objection.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 2078, which names the postal facility in Cherry Fork, Ohio, after Omer T. ``O.T.'' Hawkins.

H.R. 2078 was introduced by Representative Jean Schmidt on April 30, 2007, and was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by voice vote. This measure, which has been cosponsored by 16 Members, has the support of the entire Ohio congressional delegation.

Staff Sergeant Omer T., better known as ``O.T.,'' Hawkins, died on Thursday, October 14, 2004, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb. He was assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion based in Camp Howze, Korea. His Army colleagues have described him as ``a tremendous warrior coupled with compassion'' and said that ``his skill as a superb non-commissioned officer who could influence any soldier defined his life and the principles he defended.''

Staff Sergeant Hawkins graduated from North Adams High School on a Friday in 1991, and that following Monday he enlisted in the Army. Miss Cherry Frederick, his sister, said, and I quote, ``The only thing that he ever wanted to do was go into the military.'' Family and friends will forever remember Staff Sergeant Hawkins' dedication and service to his country.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Schmidt from Ohio, for introducing this legislation. I urge swift passage of this bill.

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Just to close, let me just indicate there are heroes and sheroes all around us. Many of them are indeed giants who give of themselves in such a way that others pay little note to. And so when we take the time to name a Federal installation after a soldier who gave his or her life, in essence we are taking some of the dirt from around, taking the person out of the hole, and elevating them to the status of giant that they really are and have been.

So I commend my colleague from Ohio for introducing this legislation, and I urge its passage.

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