Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tom Reed today announced legislation to name the U.S. Post Office in Corning after Army Specialist Ryan Jayne passed out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Army Specialist Ryan Jayne is an Elmira native who died in 2012 while serving in Afghanistan. The legislation passed the House on June 17, 2014 and now heads to the Senate floor for a final vote.
“Specialist Jayne served with truly heroic bravery and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Senator Gillibrand said. “I am pleased this bill to name the Corning Post Office after him passed out of the committee and look forward to it passing the full Senate and being signed into law, where it will serve as a testament to his legacy in the community and service for his country.”
“Specialist Ryan Jayne put his country before himself and made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation,” Rep. Reed said. “His sacrifice will not be forgotten and I am honored to be a part of recognizing Specialist Jayne and his legacy in this lasting way. Today’s move in the Senate means remembering Specialist Jayne in this way is one step closer to becoming a reality for his family, friends, comrades and our local community he called home.”
“We want to thank Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Reed for their support and truly appreciate all they have done to move this legislation along quickly,” said the family of Specialist Jayne. “Ryan is greatly missed and naming the Corning post office after him will be a real honor for his family.”
Specialist Jayne was born in Elmira before moving with his family to the Corning area. He was a 2008 graduate of Corning East High School, where he was awarded the Judi McCort Memorial Scholarship for courage, hard work and responsibility. Jayne attended Corning Community College before enlisting in the Armed Forces in 2010.
Specialist Jayne was in Afghanistan for his second deployment. Along with fellow New Yorkers Staff Sergeant Dain Taylor Venne and Sergeant Brett Gornewicz, Jayne died from wounds sustained when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in the Paktia Province of Afghanistan. All three were assigned to the 444th Engineer Company based in Oswego.