Washington, Nov 12, 2007 - The U.S. House of Representatives today unanimously passed a bill introduced by Representative John Carter (Round Rock-TX) that renames a post office in Round Rock, Texas after Marine Corps Corporal Steven Gill. Corporal Gill was killed in Zaidon, Iraq on July 21, 2005 during his first tour of Iraq. Carter made the following statement:

“I rise today to support this resolution honoring the memory of Marine Corps Corporal Steven Patrick Gill of Round Rock, Texas. In January 2002, Steven Gill placed his college education on hold to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. The events of September 11, 2001 moved Steven to take up arms to defend his country, and on July 21, 2005, he paid the ultimate sacrifice while deployed in Iraq to do just that.

“Steven Gill was born on November 3, 1980 to Bill and Rose Gill of Houston, Texas. After moving to Round Rock in 1993, Steven attended Westwood High School. He was an active member of King of Kings Lutheran Church and took part in numerous missions’ trips to help those in need. After High School, Steven enrolled at Concordia University in Austin where he studied toward his goal of becoming a youth minister in the Lutheran Church. As it did for many Americans, the tragic events of September 11th changed the course of Steven’s life.

“As Congress returns to work after honoring our nation’s war heroes, I am proud to offer this small tribute to one of those heroes. Steven Gill gave his life so that we may enjoy the freedoms of this great nation. It is my honor, as his Congressman and a resident of Round Rock, to honor his sacrifice here today.”

Upon completion of basic training, Corporal Gill received follow on training to become an infantry Marine rifleman at the School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, California. He also attended Amphibious Reconnaissance School at Naval Amphibious Base in Norfolk, Virginia. On July 21, 2005, Corporal Gill was serving as a Reconnaissance Man with Echo Company, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team-eight, Second Marine Division in Iraq when he was killed. Corporal Gill served one tour in Iraq and was awarded a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Selected Marine Corps Reserve, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, two GWOT Service Medals and an Armed Forces Reserve Medal.