On the recordNovember 15, 2017
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of my bill, H.R. 3893, which renames the post office in Interlachen, Florida, to honor a great American hero, Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Robert H. Jenkins, Jr., enlisted in the Marines in February of 1968. In July of that year, as a Private First Class, he was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam. Serving as a machine gunner with Company C, south of the demilitarized zone, he was killed in action. On March 5, 1969, his reconnaissance team was assaulted by a North Vietnamese Army platoon. During the firefight, a hand grenade was thrown at him and a comrade. Realizing the consequences of his actions, Private First Class Jenkins, Jr., pushed his comrade to the ground and leapt on the hand grenade to shield him from the explosion. Absorbing the full impact of the blast, he was seriously injured and succumbed to his wounds. John 15:13 states: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friend. On April 20, 1970, the Medal of Honor was presented to his family at the White House by Vice President Agnew. Private First Class Jenkins, Jr., is buried at Sister Spring Baptist Cemetery in Interlachen, Florida. The sacrifice Private First Class Jenkins, Jr., made cannot be understated. Naming his hometown post office after him is just one small way we as a nation can continue to honor this American hero.





