Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by commending my colleague from the First Congressional District of Rhode Island, Mr. Cicilline, for sponsoring this bill in the first place. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a Rhode Island hero and to support the designation of the United States Postal Service facility at 515 Hope Street in Bristol, Rhode Island, as the First Sergeant P. Andrew McKenna Jr. Post Office. First Sergeant McKenna had served with distinction for 17 years when he was killed on August 7, 2015, during an insurgent attack on Camp Integrity in Afghanistan. That previous summer, I had the privilege of meeting First Sergeant McKenna at the Bristol Fourth of July parade. Mr. Speaker, he was only 35 years old, and he died running toward incoming fire, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. A member of the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group out of Eglin Air Force Base, First Sergeant McKenna saw six deployments, five to Afghanistan and one to Iraq, and his extraordinary service was recognized throughout. Among his many medals are five Bronze Stars, one of which was awarded with a valor device for his actions during a mission that resulted in the death of a senior Taliban commander. Following First Sergeant McKenna's death, he was awarded a Purple Heart and Silver Star, decorations he richly deserved.…”