Floor SpeechNeutral2026-04-14

MASTER SERGEANT MELVIN O. HANDRICH POST OFFICE BUILDING

EnvironmentDefense

Context

On 2026-04-14, Representative Tony Wied (R-WI-8) delivered a floor speech titled "MASTER SERGEANT MELVIN O. HANDRICH POST OFFICE BUILDING" in the House. The speech addressed the environment and also covered defense. It referenced legislation: HR5831.

Full Text

MASTER SERGEANT MELVIN O. HANDRICH POST OFFICE BUILDING

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 65 (Tuesday, April 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 14, 2026)] [House] [Pages H2855-H2856] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] MASTER SERGEANT MELVIN O. HANDRICH POST OFFICE BUILDING Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5831) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 306 South Main Street in Waupaca, Wisconsin, as the ``Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich Post Office Building''. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5831 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. MASTER SERGEANT MELVIN O. HANDRICH POST OFFICE BUILDING. (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 306 South Main Street in Waupaca, Wisconsin, shall be known and designated as the ``Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich Post Office Building''. (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich Post Office Building''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Subramanyam) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas. General Leave Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this matter. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? [[Page H2856]] There was no objection. Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Wied). Mr. WIED. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill to rename the United States Post Office in Waupaca, Wisconsin, in honor of Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich, a Waupaca County native, a Medal of Honor recipient, and a hero who served our Nation in both World War II and the Korean war. In August 1950, Master Sergeant Handrich and his company faced overwhelming enemy forces attempting to overrun their position. Despite intense and sustained fire, he voluntarily moved to an exposed forward post where he directed mortar and artillery fire for 8 hours as enemy soldiers advanced to within 50 feet of his position. When he saw elements of his company preparing to withdraw, he crossed open, fire-swept ground to rally and reorganize his men, restoring the line and enabling them to continue the fight. Though severely wounded, he refused evacuation and returned to his forward position to continue directing fire. He remained there until the enemy overran his post, and he was mortally wounded. When the position was retaken, more than 70 enemy dead were found in the area he had so courageously defended. Master Sergeant Handrich's extraordinary bravery, leadership, and self-sacrifice reflect the highest traditions of our military and of the State of Wisconsin. Naming this post office in his honor ensures that his legacy will be remembered by future generations to come. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5831. I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Master Sergeant Handrich by naming the post office in Waupaca, Wisconsin, after him. Madam Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 5831, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill to honor Master Sergeant Melvin Handrich. I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5831. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR5831, HR5831

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MASTER SERGEANT MELVIN O. HANDRICH POST OFFICE BUILDING Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 65 (Tuesday, April 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 14, 2026)] [House] [Pages H2855-H2856] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] MASTER SERGEANT MELVIN O. HANDRICH POST OFFICE BUILDING Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5831) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 306 South Main Street in Waupaca, Wisconsin, as the ``Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich Post Office Building''. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5831 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. MASTER SERGEANT MELVIN O. HANDRICH POST OFFICE BUILDING. (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 306 South Main Street in Waupaca, Wisconsin, shall be known and designated as the ``Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich Post Office Building''. (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich Post Office Building''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Subramanyam) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas. General Leave Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this matter. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? [[Page H2856]] There was no objection. Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Wied). Mr. WIED. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill to rename the United States Post Office in Waupaca, Wisconsin, in honor of Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich, a Waupaca County native, a Medal of Honor recipient, and a hero who served our Nation in both World War II and the Korean war. In August 1950, Master Sergeant Handrich and his company faced overwhelming enemy forces attempting to overrun their position. Despite intense and sustained fire, he voluntarily moved to an exposed forward post where he directed mortar and artillery fire for 8 hours as enemy soldiers advanced to within 50 feet of his position. When he saw elements of his company preparing to withdraw, he crossed open, fire-swept ground to rally and reorganize his men, restoring the line and enabling them to continue the fight. Though severely wounded, he refused evacuation and returned to his forward position to continue directing fire. He remained there until the enemy overran his post, and he was mortally wounded. When the position was retaken, more than 70 enemy dead were found in the area he had so courageously defended. Master Sergeant Handrich's extraordinary bravery, leadership, and self-sacrifice reflect the highest traditions of our military and of the State of Wisconsin. Naming this post office in his honor ensures that his legacy will be remembered by future generations to come. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5831. I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Master Sergeant Handrich by naming the post office in Waupaca, Wisconsin, after him. Madam Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 5831, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill to honor Master Sergeant Melvin Handrich. I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5831. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ Referenced legislation: HR5831, HR5831