[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 108 (Monday, August 8, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     WALTER B. JONES FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURT HOUSE

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4772) to designate the Federal building and United States 
courthouse located at 215 South Evans Street in Greenville, NC, as the 
``Walter B. Jones Federal Building and United States Courthouse.''
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4772

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The Federal building and United States courthouse located 
     at 215 South Evans Street in Greenville, North Carolina, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Walter B. Jones 
     Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper,or 
     other record of the United States to the Federal building and 
     United States courthouse referred to in section 1 shall be 
     deemed to be a reference to the ``Walter B. Jones Federal 
     Building and United States Courthouse''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio [Mr. Traficant] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger] will be recognized for 20 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant].
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Lancaster], one of 
our fine Members.
  Mr. LANCASTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to cosponsor and support 
H.R. 4772, a bill to honor our late friend and colleague Walter B. 
Jones by naming the Federal building and U.S. Courthouse in Greenville, 
NC, for him.
  Walter Jones served the people of eastern North Carolina in this 
House from February 1966 until his death in September 1992. Early in 
1992, he had announced his intention to retire from public life at the 
end of the year; because of his untimely death, his colleagues of the 
House did not have the normal opportunity to let him know what he meant 
to them.
  During his 26 years in Washington, he demonstrated time and again 
that he considered his duty to his constituents to be his highest 
priority. The people of the former First Congressional District sensed 
his love for them, and they returned that love in many forms and on 
numerous occasions.
  He chaired the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee for a dozen 
years and lead that panel in a quiet but effective way. He was known 
for his bipartisan fairness in his leadership of the Committee.
  Walter Jones had many legislative achievements in this House. They 
include:
  Sponsorship of the landmark Oil Pollution Act, Congress' response to 
the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
  Amendments to the Coastal Zone Management Act which overturned a 
Supreme Court decision which had diminished a State's right to review 
Federal actions that affected that State's coastal areas;
  Successful opposition to Coast Guard user fees on recreational 
boaters;
  Protection of the North Carolina Outer Banks from offshore oil 
drilling;
  Successful resistance to efforts to eliminate the Sea Grant College 
Program and initiation of a research vessel fleet rebuilding program 
for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
  Sponsorship of the Shipping Act of 1984, a major rewrite of the laws 
regulating the ocean transportation of goods to and from the United 
States;
  Major expansion of the National Marine Sanctuary Program; and
  Sponsorship of the Foreign Shipping Practices Act, a statute which 
enables the U.S. Government to combat discrimination by foreign nations 
against U.S. vessels.
  When I came to the House in 1986, Walter Jones was quick to befriend 
me and was always ready to offer guidance and advice when I sought it. 
In 1992, when it became apparent that redistricting would bring many of 
his constituents into my new congressional district, he diligently 
helped me become known to his many, many supporters and friends.
  It is altogether fitting that this House honor Walter by passing this 
legislation. I congratulate and thank Mr. Traficant for bringing it to 
us today.

                              {time}  1320

  Mr. CLINGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4772, a bill to designate the 
Federal building and U.S. courthouse in Greenville, NC, as the ``Walter 
B. Jones Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.
  Walter Jones was a native of Fayetteville, NC, where he was born in 
1913. He entered politics in 1949, having been elected Mayor of 
Farmville, NC. He spent 6 years in the North Carolina legislature, and 
was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1966 to fill an unexpired term. He 
was reelected to succeeding Congresses through the 102d Congress. In 
1981 Congressman Jones became chairman of the Committee on Merchant 
Marine and Fisheries, where he served with distinction until his death 
in 1992. I urge enactment.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she consume to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton].
  Mrs. CLAYTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding this time to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to come before the House of Representatives 
to speak on behalf of the constituents of the First Congressional 
District of North Carolina, which I now represent, in honoring 
Congressman Walter B. Jones. To name a building after him is a gesture 
which will be appreciated by all those people served by Congressman 
Jones during his tenure in the House of Representatives.
  Congressman Jones was elected to the House of Representatives in 1966 
and served so ably for 26 years. During that time he served as chairman 
of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee from 1980 until 
his death in 1992. This was a post he held with pride because much of 
his district was coastline and this enabled him to respond to the 
concerns of much of his constituency.
  Walter Jones loved the State of North Carolina--he loved the people 
of North Carolina. His goal was to be responsive to those people who 
elected him because they trusted him. He worked for the farmers, the 
businessmen, the veterans, the elderly, and all other constituents 
alike. No constituent problem was too large or too small for him to try 
to try to resolve. He was admired by his constituents for just that 
reason--that he was responsive to their needs and would go the extra 
mile to assist anyone who called on him. He knew no boundaries in his 
efforts to help--he was a willing listener and a friend to all.
  I share in this tribute to my predecessor and am proud to be a 
cosponsor of H.R. 4772 to designate the Federal Building and U.S. 
Courthouse in Greenville, NC, as the Walter B. Jones Federal Building 
and Courthouse.
  Mr. CLINGER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume, and I want to compliment the gentlewoman from North Carolina 
[Mrs. Clayton] and the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Lancaster] 
for their efforts in response to this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I loved Mr. Jones. He would advise me on occasion and 
tell me not to fight so much; but every time I got into a fight he 
helped me.
  I can remember when I passed the first Buy American amendment. If it 
was not for his help at 1:30 in the morning, it would not have passed. 
Mr. Speaker, that is the kind of man he was.
  Mr. Speaker, Walter B. Jones of North Carolina, had a remarkable 
career as a public servant. Following election to numerous positions in 
North Carolina, he was elected to Congress in 1966. He then served 
until 1992. From the 97th through the 102d Congress, he served as 
chairman of the Committee on Merchant Marines and Fisheries. 
Congressman Jones was a dedicated and successful servant of his State 
and the Nation. He was a friend whom I greatly admired.
  It is fitting that Chairman Jones be honored by having this Federal 
building and U.S. courthouse named after him.
  This bill has my strong support, and the bipartisan support of the 
committee. I urge adoption of H.R. 4772.
  Mr. MINETA. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in strong support of H.R. 4772, 
to honor our late friend and colleague, Walter B. Jones, by naming the 
Federal building and courthouse in Greenville, NC, after him.
  Walter Jones was born in Fayetteville, NC, in 1913. He attended 
Fayetteville public schools and the Elise Academy in North Carolina. 
After graduating in 1934 from North Carolina State University, he 
engaged in an office supply business for 15 years.
  In 1949, Walter B. Jones entered public office as the mayor of 
Farmville, NC, and served until 1953. He was elected to the North 
Carolina general assembly in 1955, 1957, and 1959, and the North 
Carolina State Senate in 1965. He began his service in the U.S. 
Congress after winning a 1966 special election, and was reelected to 
the 11 succeeding Congresses, serving from February 5, 1966, to January 
3, 1989. Jones was a member of the powerful Agricultural Committee and 
served as chair of the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries from 
the 97th through the 100th Congresses.
  A dedicated servant of his State and country, Walter B. Jones resided 
in Farmville, NC, until his death on September 15, 1992. Congressman 
Jones was well-respected during his long career in Congress, and was 
known for his fairness and steadfast leadership. This naming bill is a 
fitting tribute to his accomplishments, and I urge support for the 
bill.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Montgomery). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4772.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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