Sergeant Riayan A. Tejada Post Office

SERGEANT RIAYAN A. TEJADA POST OFFICE -- (House of Representatives - September 28, 2004)

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 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. 4046, legislation naming a United States postal facility in New York, New York, after Sergeant Riayan Tejeda.

This measure, which was unanimously passed by our committee on September 15, 2004, was introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) on March 25, 2004. H.R. 4046 enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire New York delegation.

Riayan A. Tejeda was a Dominican citizen who came to the United States at the age of 12. He graduated from the Fashion and Design High School in New York and joined the United States Marines. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment in Camp Pendleton, California.

Sadly, Staff Sergeant Tejeda was killed in a battle that followed the fall of Baghdad on April 11, 2003. He was awarded the Silver Star, and he later received his citizenship posthumously.

Sergeant Tejeda left behind a wife and two young children.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my good friend and colleague for seeking to honor the sacrifice of Marine Staff Sergeant Riayan Tejeda by naming a United States postal facility in his honor. I know that the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) had hoped to be here to make some comments relative to this legislation. Unfortunately, he was unable to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of our time.