President Signs Iowa Delegation Legislation to Name Cedar Rapids Post Office After SFC Pasker Into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) today released the following statement after President Obama signed into law the Iowa delegation’s legislation to name a Cedar Rapids post office after Sergeant First Class (SFC) Terryl L. Pasker, an Iowa National Guardsman who was killed in action in Afghanistan. The Iowa Congressional delegation, led by Senator Ernst in the Senate, and Representative Blum (R-IA) in the House, introduced this legislation in March.

“Sergeant First Class Pasker made the ultimate sacrifice for our state and our country in defense of our freedoms,” said Senator Ernst. “While we can never thank him and his family enough for his service, I am proud that our community will be able to recognize his heroism with this tribute to him. I am grateful that the president signed this legislation into law, as well as to my Iowa colleagues – especially Congressman Blum – for their work to ensure Sergeant First Class Pasker and his family receives the recognition he deserves.”

  **Click to watch Senator Ernst speak on the importance of honoring SFC Pasker during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee business meeting last month.**

About the Legislation to Rename a Cedar Rapids Post Office for SFC Pasker:

• This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Services located at 615 6^th Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as the “Sergeant First Class Terryl L. Pasker Post Office Building”.

• SFC Terryl L. Pasker was born in Anamosa, Iowa, enlisted in the US Army in 1990, and joined the Iowa National Guard in 1995. While serving in the Guard, he deployed to Afghanistan from 2004, and again in 2011 with the 334^th Brigade Support Battalion, 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 34^th Infantry Division. SFC Pasker gave the ultimate sacrifice to his country when he was killed in a green-on-blue attack in Panjshir Province, Afghanistan on July 9, 2011, near the end of his tour. SFC Pasker was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He is survived by his wife, Erica; parents, Mary and David; brother, Andrew, and two sisters, Christine and Rebecca.

• Today’s bill signing follows its passage by the full Senate on May 26. It was introduced in the Senate by Senator Ernst, along with Senator Chuck Grassley, in March, and went on to pass unanimously through the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee before it went to the Senate floor for full consideration. The Ernst-Grassley bill is the Senate version of Representative Rod Blum’s (R-01) bill, cosponsored alongside Iowa Representatives Dave Loebsack (D-02), David Young (R-03) and Steve King (R-04).

# # #