NE Sacramento News

Legislation to honor Corporal Michael D. Anderson Jr. passed the United States House of Representatives today.

The bill, H.R. 1555, introduced by Rep. McClintock (CA-05), will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2300 Sylvan Avenue in Modesto, California, as the "Corporal Michael D. Anderson Jr. Post Office Building."

Corporal Anderson was a native of Modesto, California. After the September 11 terror attacks, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and became a member of the Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams (FAST Company). On December 14, 2004, Corporal Anderson was killed in action while clearing a stronghold in Fallujah, Iraq.

While speaking on the House floor in support of the legislation, Rep. McClintock stated that this bill will “honor and remember those among us who gave up everything.”

The bill was unanimously supported by the Modesto City Council, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, the California Congressional Delegation, and the House Committee on Oversight.

The bill next goes to the Senate for approval.

Below are Rep. McClintock’s full remarks in support of the bill:

"I am proud to present H.R. 1555 for consideration. This measure names the post office in Modesto, California in honor and memory of Corporal Michael D. Anderson Jr. This bill has unanimous support from local and state officials as well as congressional representatives.

There are those who scoff at post office naming bills like this. Such smug critics simply either do not appreciate or do not understand the sacrifices that these bills recognize and the heroism behind them.

Mike Anderson grew up in Modesto – a farm town with values reflecting middle America. He loved skateboarding, snowboarding, motorcycles, tinkering with cars, camping; but most importantly he loved his family, friends and country.

In September after graduating high school and witnessing America's attack on September 11th without hesitation he stepped forward to defend his country embodying American values that produce model towns like Modesto and citizens like Mike Anderson.

He enlisted in United States Marine Corps quickly distinguishing himself becoming part of FAST Company an elite team fighting terror globally receiving commendation from U.S Ambassador James Foley for defending U.S Embassy during riots directed at it.

In September 2004 deploying to Iraq participating Operation Iraqi Freedom assigned to elite battalion leading Marines & Iraqi soldiers urban clearing operations tragically killed action December same year aged twenty-one scheduled leave Iraq few months later return family planned joyous reunion vacation displaying tremendous bravery courage service day reflected military decorations including two Purple Hearts Marine Corps Achievement Medal 'V' attachment Valor Combat Action Ribbon

His comrades remember self-sacrifice concern squad members father recalls 'more worried about telling me one guys unit first before telling me what happened him felt since squad leader take care men first'

James Michener's haunting question echoes such exploits 'Where do we get such men?'

We get them towns like Modesto loving families like Andersons decent young men women promising futures willing leave safety comfort hearth home when country needs step harm’s way protect families neighbors countrymen above all cause freedom

A more important question is 'What would we do without them?'

Capitol Rotunda fresco called 'Apotheosis Washington' depicts Gen Washington uniform ascending heavens flanked victory freedom surrounded essence fruits free nation depiction Washington beckons

From little towns like Modesto decent young men women happy lives promising futures answered call I don’t know how their families bear it but I do know what we owe them never repay debt except honor memory keep sacrifice always mind That’s what bills like this about honor remember those among us gave up everything ‘To proclaim liberty throughout all land unto all inhabitants thereof’

Mr Speaker people Modesto California family Corporal Anderson parents Angie Michael Sr two little sisters Callie Allie grateful nation ask post office hometown named honor memorialize life service patriotism heroism ultimate sacrifice Corporal Michael D Anderson Jr."

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