Floor SpeechNeutral2026-04-14

STAFF SERGEANT JOSE DUENEZ JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING

Foreign PolicyDefenseTrade

Context

On 2026-04-14, Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) delivered a floor speech titled "STAFF SERGEANT JOSE DUENEZ JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING" in the House. The speech addressed foreign policy and also covered defense, trade policy. It referenced legislation: HR6020.

Full Text

STAFF SERGEANT JOSE DUENEZ JR. 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 H2852-H2853] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STAFF SERGEANT JOSE DUENEZ JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6020) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois, as the ``Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. Post Office Building''. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 6020 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. STAFF SERGEANT JOSE DUENEZ JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING. (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois, shall be known and designated as the ``Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. 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 ``Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. 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 measure. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? There was no objection. Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Plainfield, Illinois, for Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez, Jr. Sergeant Duenez tragically lost his life during a tactical training exercise while serving his country. He was known by his peers as a trustworthy and dedicated soldier and a natural leader, ultimately reaching the rank of staff sergeant in November 2020. Sergeant Duenez was also a decorated soldier, receiving two Army Commendation Medals and many other achievements. Most importantly, he was a loving brother, husband, and father. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6020, introduced by my colleague from Illinois, and I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood). Ms. UNDERWOOD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6020, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois, as the Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. Post Office Building. Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez, Jr., was born on April 8, 1999, and raised in Joliet, Illinois, in my district. By the time he graduated from Joliet Central High School in 2017, he already knew that he wanted to serve his country in uniform. As soon as he finished high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served his country with honor and bravery for 7 years as an M1 Abrams tank system maintainer. Staff Sergeant Duenez' Army service included three overseas deployments: Poland in 2019, Germany in 2022, and Lithuania in 2025. He was promoted five times over the course of his Army service, ultimately reaching the rank of staff sergeant in November 2020. During his service, he was recognized with two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, one Certificate of Achievement, two Army Good Conduct Medals, and a National Defense Service Medal. In addition to his passion for service, Staff Sergeant Duenez also loved fishing and spending time with his family. Tragically, on March 31, 2025, Staff Sergeant Duenez and three other U.S. soldiers were killed during an Army training exercise in Lithuania. His record of exemplary service to his country is something that my constituents can all take pride in. That is why I introduced this bill to commemorate his sacrifice and establish a lasting reminder of his legacy. We know that Staff Sergeant Duenez will never be forgotten by his wife, Karen; his son, Jose Duenez III; his mother, Leticia; his father, Jose; his five sisters; his 18 beloved nieces and nephews; or by the countless friends and neighbors in our community who knew and loved him. This bill will ensure that the Illinoisans who were not fortunate enough to know him in life can still come to know him in spirit through the legacy he leaves behind and the impact he has had on our community. Staff Sergeant Duenez was an extraordinary American who served his country with strength and resilience. This bill ensures that the Plainfield, Illinois, post office will bear his name as a reminder of his contributions not only to our country but to his community and family as a father, husband, brother, and son. I am grateful to Senator Duckworth for partnering with me on this effort and to all of my colleagues in the Illinois delegation for their support in honoring the life and legacy of Staff Sergeant Duenez. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote. Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood) for her comments. I encourage my colleagues to support her bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill, naming a post office for an honored serviceman, Staff Sergeant Duenez, and I yield back the balance of my time. [[Page H2853]] 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. 6020. 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: HR6020, HR6020

View original source →

STAFF SERGEANT JOSE DUENEZ JR. 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 H2852-H2853] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STAFF SERGEANT JOSE DUENEZ JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6020) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois, as the ``Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. Post Office Building''. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 6020 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. STAFF SERGEANT JOSE DUENEZ JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING. (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois, shall be known and designated as the ``Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. 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 ``Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. 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 measure. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? There was no objection. Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Plainfield, Illinois, for Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez, Jr. Sergeant Duenez tragically lost his life during a tactical training exercise while serving his country. He was known by his peers as a trustworthy and dedicated soldier and a natural leader, ultimately reaching the rank of staff sergeant in November 2020. Sergeant Duenez was also a decorated soldier, receiving two Army Commendation Medals and many other achievements. Most importantly, he was a loving brother, husband, and father. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6020, introduced by my colleague from Illinois, and I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood). Ms. UNDERWOOD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6020, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois, as the Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. Post Office Building. Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez, Jr., was born on April 8, 1999, and raised in Joliet, Illinois, in my district. By the time he graduated from Joliet Central High School in 2017, he already knew that he wanted to serve his country in uniform. As soon as he finished high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served his country with honor and bravery for 7 years as an M1 Abrams tank system maintainer. Staff Sergeant Duenez' Army service included three overseas deployments: Poland in 2019, Germany in 2022, and Lithuania in 2025. He was promoted five times over the course of his Army service, ultimately reaching the rank of staff sergeant in November 2020. During his service, he was recognized with two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, one Certificate of Achievement, two Army Good Conduct Medals, and a National Defense Service Medal. In addition to his passion for service, Staff Sergeant Duenez also loved fishing and spending time with his family. Tragically, on March 31, 2025, Staff Sergeant Duenez and three other U.S. soldiers were killed during an Army training exercise in Lithuania. His record of exemplary service to his country is something that my constituents can all take pride in. That is why I introduced this bill to commemorate his sacrifice and establish a lasting reminder of his legacy. We know that Staff Sergeant Duenez will never be forgotten by his wife, Karen; his son, Jose Duenez III; his mother, Leticia; his father, Jose; his five sisters; his 18 beloved nieces and nephews; or by the countless friends and neighbors in our community who knew and loved him. This bill will ensure that the Illinoisans who were not fortunate enough to know him in life can still come to know him in spirit through the legacy he leaves behind and the impact he has had on our community. Staff Sergeant Duenez was an extraordinary American who served his country with strength and resilience. This bill ensures that the Plainfield, Illinois, post office will bear his name as a reminder of his contributions not only to our country but to his community and family as a father, husband, brother, and son. I am grateful to Senator Duckworth for partnering with me on this effort and to all of my colleagues in the Illinois delegation for their support in honoring the life and legacy of Staff Sergeant Duenez. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote. Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood) for her comments. I encourage my colleagues to support her bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill, naming a post office for an honored serviceman, Staff Sergeant Duenez, and I yield back the balance of my time. [[Page H2853]] 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. 6020. 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: HR6020, HR6020