[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 84 (Monday, June 10, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H6048-H6049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SAMMY L. DAVIS FEDERAL BUILDING

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3186) to designate the Federal building located at 1655 
Woodson Road in Overland, MO, as the ``Sammy L. Davis Federal 
Building.''
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3186

       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 located at 1655 Woodson Road in 
     Overland, Missouri, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Sammy L. Davis Federal Building''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the ``Sammy L. Davis Federal Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest] and the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. 
Mascara] each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest].
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3186 is a bill to designate the Federal building in 
Overland, MO, as the ``Sammy L. Davis Federal Building.'' Sammy Davis 
is a citizen who distinguished himself in the face of mortal danger. In 
November 1967, while stationed in Cai Lay, Vietnam, as a cannoneer with 
the 9th Infantry Division, then Private First Class Davis participated 
in a fierce ground attack. He personally directed fire at enemy 
positions with a machinegun, to allow cover for his guncrew to position 
artillery for direct fire. When his comrades were killed manning this 
artillery piece, Private First Class Davis took up a position on the 
howitzer and fired at point blank range into enemy positions. After 
being injured by a mortar attack, he then rescued his wounded comrades 
who were trapped across a river, by floating an air mattress to the 
banks of the far side and pulled three men to safety. He continued his 
efforts despite wounds suffered during this attack, and joined another 
howitzer crew and fired upon enemy positions until that force broke 
contact and fled. His efforts and valor resulted in his receiving the 
Congressional Medal of Honor. Mr. Davis is currently retired, due to 
disability.
  The building being named in honor of Mr. Davis is the U.S. Army 
Publications Distribution Center, which serves as the center for 
distribution of technical and supply publications, recruiting 
materials, forms and testing material, and classified and accountable 
publications.
  Mr. Speaker, young Mr. Davis, with his faith, had the courage to do 
what he did, and because of his courage he gives us renewed hope on a 
fairly regular basis that the dedication to this country is always 
worth it.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and urge my colleagues to support 
this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 3186 introduced by Mr. Clay of Missouri 
to recognize the volunteer work, the community service, and the heroic 
acts of Mr. Sammy L. Davis.
  As a young man in Vietnam, Mr. Davis risked his life under fire, to 
aid his fallen comrades. For his efforts he was awarded the 
Congressional Medal of Honor. In his later life and career, Mr. Davis 
remained devoted to examining and lecturing on issues concerning

[[Page H6049]]

POW's and other matters of importance to veterans.
  It is fitting and proper to join Mr. Clay in honoring Mr. Davis by 
designating the Federal building in Overland, MO As the ``Sammy L. 
Davis Federal Building''.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar], the ranking member of the full 
committee.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time. It is not often that we have the privilege in this Chamber to 
recognize in a very appropriate way a Congressional Medal of Honor 
winner, a true hero. These are people whose recognition is usually 
given posthumously because they have made the ultimate sacrifice.
  But in the case of Sammy L. Davis, he is among us, not only among us 
but he is using his, in a sense, platform, his great distinction that 
he won at extraordinary risk to himself, to serve the needs of the 
community in the broadest possible sense. A motivational speaker, he 
talks about the plight of prisoners of war; talks about other issues of 
interest to veterans. He has given himself a purpose and a career in 
life greater than any that could have been imagined for him.

                              {time}  1500

  And having the distinction of being one of these truly special people 
whom our country has recognized with its highest distinction, he merits 
very special recognition.
  I salute the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Clay], our colleague, for 
having introduced this legislation, for urging the designation of the 
Federal building in Overland, MO, in honor of Sammy L. Davis. It is 
indeed appropriate, and it is a modest step that we can take to honor 
this hero.
  There is nothing, however, that we can do, not naming and no words, 
that can ever hope to reach the height that he has achieved in his own 
service in Vietnam in the defense of the life of others.
  I urge the enactment of this legislation.
  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, having no further requests for time, I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I thank the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania [Mr. Mascara] for his effort and the gentleman from 
Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar] for his eloquent words. Some 25 years ago, the 
Vietnam war divided this country, but it is people like Mr. Davis who 
have strengthened the Union in their efforts since then.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this legislation, and I 
thank Mr. Davis for his contribution to this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Coble). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest] that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3186.
  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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