(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District – Kansas) introduced legislation to rename the Gardner, Kansas, postal service facility the “Private First Class Shane R. Austin Post Office.” Austin died in Iraq on October 8, 2006, while serving in the United States Army’s First Armor Division.

Moore was joined by the rest of the Kansas House delegation – Congressman Todd Tiahrt (Fourth District), Congressman Jerry Moran (First District) and Congressman Nancy Boyda (Second District) – in introducing the bill (H.R. 3034). Kansas Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback introduced companion legislation in the Senate (S. 1772).

“Shane sacrificed the most precious thing a person can offer to his country – his life,” said Moore. “Our community owes Shane and his family absolute gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy that he so heroically fought to protect. My heartfelt condolences go to Shane’s family and loved ones. I am honored to join my colleagues in offering this remembrance so that our community never forgets the sacrifice a brave soldier from Kansas made for his country.”

Austin grew up in Edgerton, Kansas, and attended Gardner-Edgerton High School before joining the U.S. Army. Austin was 19 years old when he was killed during combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq.