Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tom Reed today announced President Barack Obama has signed legislation to name the U.S. Post Office in Corning after Army Specialist Ryan Jayne. 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 received final Congressional passage in the Senate on August 1, 2014.
“Specialist Jayne served with truly heroic bravery,” Senator Gillibrand said. “He answered the highest call, and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Naming the Corning Post Office after him will honor his legacy in the community he loved for all to proudly remember his life and his service.”
“For Specialist Jayne’s family, friends and everyone who knew him, naming the Corning Post Office in his honor is one small way we can recognize his bravery, service and love of his country,” Reed said. “I am proud to be a part of getting this bill honoring Specialist Jayne signed into law so that his actions are never forgotten. We remember Specialist Jayne’s acts of heroism and courage today and every day.”
“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 into law,” said the family of Specialist Jayne. “Ryan is greatly missed and naming the Corning post office after him is 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.