Key Senate Committee Approves Clinton Bill To Rename Patchogue Post Office In Honor Of Lt. Michael Murphy

Washington, DC Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer announced that legislation to honor Lt. Michael Patrick Murphy was passed yesterday by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs. Senator Clinton and Senator Schumer, who was a cosponsor, welcomed approval of the bill which would designate the United States Postal facility located in Patchogue, NY as the Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy Post Office Building. Lt. Murphy, a U.S. Navy SEAL, was killed at age 29 during combat in Afghanistan last year while bravely serving as part of a secret reconnaissance mission.

A true hero and role model, Lt. Mike Murphy served our nation with valor, leadership, and bravery. I am sincerely thankful to my colleagues on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee for approving this bill and taking us one step closer to this tribute to a man who made the greatest of sacrifices to our nation. With this legislation, we honor his memory and offer our deepest respect and gratitude to his family, Senator Clinton said.

Lt. Michael P. Murphys life was tragically cut short in Afghanistan while he was bravely serving his country, Senator Schumer said. Having already been awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star, it is only fitting that the post office in Lt. Murphy's hometown will now bear the name of this great American hero so he can be honored in the Patchogue community forever.

Lt. Murphy was reported missing on June 28, 2005, during Operation Red Wing, a secret reconnaissance mission in the mountains of Afghanistan in search of Taliban and alQaeda insurgents. A fourman commando team of Navy SEALs was dropped off in a forested area of the countrys Eastern mountain border with Pakistan. The group came under immediate attack from insurgent rebels. Calls for help brought rescue helicopters which were met with immediate insurgent fire. One of the helicopters was downed by an explosive device, killing all 16 soldiers aboard.

At PatchogueMedford High School on Long Island, Michael was a National Honor Society student and a varsity football athlete. He worked as a lifeguard during his summer vacations. After graduating high school he attended Penn State University where he majored in political science and excelled academically. Michael decided shortly after graduating college that he would fulfill his passion to join the Navy SEALs, a task that his parents warned would be formidable. Michael never hesitated and took a position as soon as an opening was available, going on to serve with distinction. In recognition of his courage and sacrifice, Lt. Murphy was honored posthumously with the Purple Heart and Silver Star.