[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 17, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H10093-H10094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HARRY KIZIRIAN POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1606) to designate the United States Post Office building 
located at 24 Corliss Street, Providence, RI, as the ``Harry Kizirian 
Post Office Building.''
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1606

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

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The United States Post Office building located at 24 
     Corliss Street, Providence, Rhode Island, shall be known and 
     designated as the ``Harry Kizirian Post Office Building''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the United States 
     Post Office building referred to in section 1 shall be deemed 
     to be a reference to the ``Harry Kizirian Post Office 
     Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York [Mr. McHugh] and the gentlewoman from Michigan [Miss Collins] each 
will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York [Mr. McHugh].
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight voted 
favorably on the measure before us. Congressman Reed of Rhode Island 
introduced H.R. 1606 and was joined by his State delegation in 
cosponsoring his bill, as required by committee policy. This 
legislation designates the main U.S. Post Office in Providence, RI, be 
named the ``Harry Kizirian Post Office.''
  The measure before us honors Mr. Kizirian, a World War II marine 
veteran and former Providence Postmaster. Mr. Kizirian is Rhode 
Island's most decorated living veteran and was a career postal worker 
who held the position of Providence Postmaster for 25 years until his 
retirement.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to support H.R. 1606, a bill which 
would name a Post Office after the postal employee who served as 
Postmaster at the facility for 25 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I again join my colleague and chairman of the 
Subcommittee on the Postal Service in support of H.R. 1606, legislation 
naming the U.S. Post Office, located at 24 Corliss Street in 
Providence, RI as the, ``Harry Kizirian Post Office Building.''
  It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge Mr. Kizirian. He retired 
from the Post Office as the Postmaster of the facility being named 
after him and is the most decorated World War II veteran in Providence.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague, the 
gentleman from Rhode Island, Mr. Jack Reed, sponsor of the bill.
  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank Chairman McHugh 
and the ranking member, Representative Collins of the Subcommittee on 
Postal Service and Chairman Clinger of the Government Reform and 
Oversight Committee for helping me bring this bill to the floor. I 
would also like to thank my colleague from Rhode Island, Mr. Kennedy, 
who cosponsored this bill with me, and Senators Chafee and Pell, who 
have introduced an identical bill in the Senate.
  This bill would designate the main U.S. Post Office in Providence, 
RI, as the ``Harry Kizirian Post Office.'' Because some of you may not 
know Harry, I would like to tell you a little about this outstanding 
Rhode Island citizen.
  Harry Kizirian is the most decorated living veteran in Rhode Island. 
On Okinawa, he was severely wounded while leading an infantry assault. 
For his extraordinary heroism, Harry was awarded the Navy Cross, the 
Bronze Star with V Device for Valor, the Purple Heart with a Gold Star, 
and the Rhode Island Cross.
  When Harry returned to the United States, he immediately went to work 
at the main post office in Providence where he had worked during high 
school to support his widowed mother. Displaying the same commitment 
and teamwork he showed on the frontlines at Okinawa, he worked his way 
up to an appointment as the Postmaster. He was confirmed by the U.S. 
Senate in 1961, and held the position of Postmaster for 25 years.
  Throughout his career with the Postal Service, Harry also devoted 
much of his time to the community, serving on numerous boards and 
committees. Harry served on the board of directors for Butler Hospital, 
Big Brothers of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Blue Cross, the Rhode Island 
Heart and Lung Associations, and numerous others.
  Harry and his wife, Hazel, also successfully raised a wonderful 
family. 

[[Page H 10094]]
They have five children: JoAnne, Thomas, Janice, Shakay, and Richard; 
four grandchildren: Rebecca, Thomas, Joseph, and Janice; and three 
step-grandsons: Dylan, Collin, and Matthew.
  Harry has served his country in every capacity: in the military, as a 
civil servant, as a devoted husband and father, and as a loyal 
American. Harry Kizirian is a source of inspiration for the young and 
old, and he is a particularly cherished member of Rhode Island's proud 
and vibrant Armenian community.
  This bill would commemorate his generosity and valor for future 
generations, and it would pay tribute to a remarkable gentleman who has 
given so much to his Nation, his community, and his family. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in honoring Harry Kizirian by supporting this 
bill.

                              {time}  1445

  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Rhode Island [Mr. Kennedy].
  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 1606, a bill that will designate the main post office 
in Providence, RI, as the ``Harry Kizirian Post Office.''
  Harry Kizirian is a shining example of someone who has fully realized 
the American Dream. A dedicated individual, Harry grew up in my own 
neighborhood of Mount Pleasant in Providence and worked hard to support 
his widowed mother.
  As a high school graduate, Harry enlisted in the Marine Corps and 
served in the South Pacific, where he would lead a Marine fire team to 
victory despite sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. For this selfless 
heroism, Harry was awarded the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star with a 
device for Valor, the Purple Heart with a Gold Star, and the Rhode 
Island Cross.
  Harry's service to our country did not end with the Allied Victory in 
World War II. For the next 35 years, Harry would demonstrate the same 
commitment to duty and service at the Post Office in Providence as he 
did during his days in Okinawa. In 1961, the honor and respect that 
Harry had earned from, not only his colleagues, but also the people of 
Rhode Island, reached a pinnacle as Harry was confirmed by the Senate 
as Postmaster.
  During his tenure as Postmaster, Harry went well beyond his required 
duties and served many important social causes. As a leading member of 
the Big Brothers of Rhode Island, the Providence Human Relations 
Commission and the Providence Heritage Commission, Harry demonstrated 
his high regard for his friends and citizens of his community.
  Perhaps Harry's greatest achievement is shared with his wife Hazel as 
they have successfully raised five children, who now have several 
children of their own, Shakay and Richard. When asked about all his 
achievements, Harry humbly responded: ``I'm just an ordinary American 
boy who loves dealing with people from all walks of life.''
  In my opinion, Harry Kizirian is anything but ordinary. Raised with a 
strong Armenian heritage, Harry is a living tribute to his family, his 
friends, and his country.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to stand with my colleague, Jack Reed, to 
offer this bill which will honor Harry Kizirian's commitment and 
generosity for generations to come.
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Riggs). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York [Mr. McHugh], that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1606.
  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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