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thedrifter
11-23-07, 08:34 AM
Bill to name Suffield post office for fallen Marine reaches Bush

Associated Press

November 23, 2007

SUFFIELD, Conn. -- Legislation to name Suffield's post office in memory of a hometown Marine killed in Iraq is awaiting President Bush's signature after being approved by Congress.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, who proposed the measure in August, expects the president to sign the bill that will name the building after Cpl. Stephen R. Bixler, who was killed in May 2006 while on foot patrol in Fallujah during his second tour of duty in Iraq.

"Hopefully, it's just a matter of days before we complete the community's request," Courtney said.

Bixler, 20, joined the Marines after graduating in 2003 from Suffield High School, where he was an Eagle Scout and a runner.

He was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.

Kevin Goff, a friend of Bixler's family, originally proposed renaming the post office. Bixler's father, East Windsor letter carrier Richard Bixler, said he is "thrilled" the proposal has received U.S. House and Senate approval.

"We can't thank enough the people who have done everything to make this happen," he said. "Now, we're just waiting for the president to sign it."

A spokesman for the White House said he did not know when the president would review the bill.

Courtney, D-Conn., solicited public comments about the post office plan in July and said he received 170 letters, e-mails and calls that were overwhelmingly in support. The messages included endorsements from Gov. M. Jodi Rell, several of Bixler's former classmates, fellow Boy Scouts and other Marines.

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives quoted some of those letters while speaking in support of the bill on the House floor, Courtney said.

"It was really moving," he said. "This idea has definitely been community-driven."

Ellie