[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 24, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H10804-H10806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  DAVID H. PRYOR POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. McHUGH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3877) to designate the U.S. Post Office building in Camden, 
AR, as the ``Honorable David H. Pryor Post Office Building,'' as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3877

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

     SECTION 1. DAVID H. PRYOR POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The United States Post Office building 
     located at 351 West Washington Street in Camden, Arkansas, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``David H. Pryor Post 
     Office Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     building referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the ``David H. Pryor Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York [Mr. McHugh] and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Owens] each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York [Mr. McHugh].
  Mr. McHUGH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, the legislation before us, H.R. 3877 was unanimously 
approved as amended by the Committee on Government Reform and 
Oversight. H.R. 3877 designates the United States Post Office building 
located at 351 Washington Street in Camden, AR, as the ``Honorable 
David H. Pryor Post Office Building''. The amendment simply corrects 
the address and makes stylistic changes to make this bill conform with 
other Post Office naming bills passed by the House. H.R. 3877 as 
amended designates the United States Post Office building located at 
351 West Washington Street in Camden, AR, as the ``David H. Pryor Post 
Office Building'' and makes necessary changes to the title of the bill.
  This is purely a post office naming bill and, as the United States 
Postal Service is off budget, there would be no budgetary implication. 
The Congressional Budget Office has informed the committee that the 
bill would not affect direct spending or receipts; therefore, pay-as-
you-go procedures would not apply. Additionally, the legislation 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates and would not 
affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments.
  The original bill was introduced by the gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. 
Dickey] and was cosponsored by the entire House Delegation from the 
State of Arkansas, pursuant to committee policy.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 3877 honors Senator David H. Pryor who served as 
former Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Post Office and Civil 
Service, and currently serves as that panel's ranking minority member. 
His other committee assignments include: Agriculture, Finance, and 
Aging.
  The Senator is a favorite son of the city of Camden, the county seat 
of Ouachita, AR--having been born and raised there. He was founder, 
publisher and editor of the Ouachita Citizen from 1957-61. He earned 
his law degree at the University of Arkansas and was a practicing 
attorney from 1964-66. Ouachita County elected him to the State 
legislature in 1960 at age 26. He was elected to the U.S. House of 
Representatives in 1966. In 1972 he ran for the Senate but was defeated 
in a runoff by John McClellan. However, he was elected Governor of 
Arkansas in 1974 and in 1976. David Pryor won the U.S. Senate seat in 
1978 and has retained it for three terms. He has announced his 
retirement from elective office at the end of this term.
  As a matter of record, Madam Speaker, the aldermen of the city of 
Camden passed a resolution ``on behalf of each and every resident of 
the community expressing appreciation to the Honorable David H. Pryor 
for his devotion and dedication to the citizens of this community in 
the performance of this public service during the terms of his various 
elected capacities.''
  Madam Speaker, I urge our colleagues to support H.R. 3877 as amended, 
a bill to honor a former Member of this body, Senator David H. Pryor, 
who has spent the major part of this life in service to our country and 
to his community of Camden, AR.

                              {time}  1400

  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to express my support for H.R. 3877, as 
amended, which designates the U.S. Post Office in Camden, Arkansas, as 
the David H. Pryor Post Office Building. It is cosponsored by the 
Arkansas delegation and is a fitting honor and duly notes the political 
contributions of this dedicated public servant, David Pryor.
  David Pryor is considered one of the most influential advocates in 
Washington for older Americans. Starting in 1989, he served for 6 years 
as chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and now serves as 
the top ranking Democrat on that committee. He also is a nationally 
recognized leader in the fight to save the Social Security system, to 
reform our nursing home industry, to bring down prescription drug 
prices and to make government institutions preserve the essential 
dignity of the senior citizens in this country.

[[Page H10805]]

  Beyond Camden and the State of Arkansas, he is a hero. Certainly he 
is a hero to many senior citizens in New York and in my district. His 
name has been mentioned in numerous town meetings by senior citizens 
over the years because of this great fight against high prescription 
prices. David Pryor issued an information paper to assist indigent 
patients with access assistance programs sponsored by pharmaceutical 
companies. He issued a report card in 1992 on drug manufacturing price 
inflation, in 1993 a hearing on marketplace reform, in 1994 a briefing 
on equal access to discounts, in 1993 a briefing on cost containment in 
other industrialized nations with respect to prescription drugs, in 
1993 a briefing on pharmaceutical pricing, also in 1993 a briefing on 
medication costs for older Americans.
  Before that, he had a landmark hearing on drug prices in 1989. He is 
the author of the 1992 Veterans Health Care Act, which lowered the cost 
of drugs purchased by the VA, the Department of Defense, public health 
clinics, disproportionate share hospitals, et cetera. That was enacted, 
that act.
  He was also the author of many other acts. I rise to salute him not 
only in terms of his being a favorite son of Arkansas, but throughout 
the Nation senior citizens are quite appreciative of the contributions 
of David Pryor. He is a hero for all the Nation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHUGH. Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from New York 
for his very kind comments and for his efforts, not just on behalf of 
this bill but all of the issues we are dealing with on the 
subcommittee. I appreciate that.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. 
Dickey], the prime sponsor of this legislation.
  Mr. DICKEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for 
yielding me this time.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 3877 would designate the Post Office building in 
Camden, AR, as the David H. Pryor Post Office Building. The bill is 
intended to recognize Senator Pryor's distinguished career in public 
service, as an Arkansas State representative for 6 years, 
Representative of the United States House of Representatives 
representing the Fourth District of Arkansas for 6 years, the governor 
of Arkansas for 4 years, and United States Senator for 18 years.
  This bill is a fitting tribute to Senator Pryor upon his retirement 
because he was born and raised in Camden, AR, where the post office 
will be, because the city of Camden requested this honor to be granted 
to Senator Pryor in recognition of his long service to the County of 
Ouachita, the State of Arkansas, and the United States, because he is 
the ranking minority member and the past chairman of the Senate Post 
Office and Civil Service Subcommittee is another reason; because he has 
worked tirelessly against overzealous IRS agents and enforcement 
methods and for the passage of a taxpayer Bill of Rights which he 
achieved in 1988; and because Senator Pryor has honorably served his 
community, his State and his country as an elected public official for 
more than three decades. The House should pass this bill to honor 
Senator Pryor and, in doing so, wish Senator Pryor a long and happy 
retirement.
  I might add, in addition to all those things, that he probably or 
arguably is one of the most popular public officials ever to serve in 
the State of Arkansas. People know him not as Senator Pryor, not as 
David Pryor but just as David, and he is beloved. He is a gentleman at 
all times. He is always polite. He never to my knowledge, and I have 
supported him when he ran for office in the U.S. House of 
Representatives, he has never offended anybody personally. He has made 
stands and he has offended people that way, but he is always careful to 
call.
  I look back over my years knowing that when I was supporting him for 
this position, the position I now hold, representing the Fourth 
District, he asked me to come to Washington with him, and I declined. I 
was not ever sure if he meant just to come up here and help him unpack 
and go back or whether or not it would be to help him in his office. 
But I know this, it would have changed my career a whole lot, and I 
probably should have done it so some of his statesmanlike qualities 
would have rubbed off.
  I wish you the best, David, but I welcome you home to Arkansas after 
your retirement.
  Mr. McHUGH. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arkansas [Mr. Hutchinson], who also worked on and supported this 
legislation.
  Mr. HUTCHINSON. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3877, which 
would name the post office in Camden, AR, after my friend and 
colleague, David Pryor.
  David began his career in 1960 with his election to the Arkansas 
general assembly. He then came to Washington in 1966 as the 
Representative of the Fourth District of Arkansas. After serving for 6 
years he returned to Arkansas and in 1974 the people of Arkansas chose 
him as their Governor. Following his two terms as Governor, Arkansans 
again sent him to Washington--this time as their U.S. Senator.
  David is considered the most popular politician in Arkansas. For 
those of us who know him it is easy to understand why. For the last 18 
years David has diligently served the people of Arkansas. He is the 
consummate example of a statesman. He is tireless in his service to his 
constituents, courteous to those he disagrees with, listens to all 
sides of an argument, makes his decisions with thoughtful 
consideration, and is unyielding on matters of principle. He is an 
example not only to those of us in public service but to all Arkansans. 
He truly represents the very best of our State.
  Senator Pryor has been particularly active on issues affecting the 
elderly. Arkansas has one of the highest per capita populations of 
senior citizens in the Nation, and David has been one of their primary 
champions. Through his service on the aging committee, including 6 
years as chairman, the Senator has sought to bring attention to the 
problems which they face. His advocacy on their behalf, particularly in 
the areas of prescription drug prices and reforms to the nursing home 
industry, has been recognized nationwide.
  David Pryor has also been a leader in efforts to protect the American 
taxpayer. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, the Senator 
wrote the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which was the first piece of 
legislation in 40 years to guarantee the basic rights of individual 
taxpayers when they deal with the Internal Revenue Service.
  Finally, Madam Speaker, I would point out that during my tenure in 
the Arkansas legislature I was privileged to serve with another Pryor--
Mark Pryor, David's son. They say you can tell a lot about a man by the 
children he raises. I agree. I learned a lot about David through his 
son. I had the opportunity to observe first hand the character traits 
that David passed on to his child. Duty, honor, integrity, and devotion 
to constituents are always foremost in the Pryor family.
  Madam Speaker, I consider it a high honor to be able to call two 
generations of Pryors, my friends, and I think it fitting that we honor 
the service of Senator David Pryor here today.
  Mrs. LINCOLN. Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of 
renaming the U.S. Post Office in Camden, AR, the Honorable David H. 
Pryor Post Office Building, after the distinguished Senator and my dear 
friend, David Pryor. With this designation it is my hope that we can 
show, in some small measure, our appreciation for Senator Pryor's 
lifelong commitment to public service in the State of Arkansas and at 
the national level. Most notably as a U.S. Senator for 18 years.
  David Pryor began his political career by being elected to the 
Arkansas General Assembly in 1960. He was then elected in 1966 for 3 
consecutive terms to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving the 
Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas, and in 1974 became Governor 
of the State of Arkansas. The two-term Governor is still remembered as 
a skilled and caring administrator who, through a time of recession, 
managed to cut spending without hurting programs. In 1978, the people 
of Arkansas made the decision to return David Pryor to Washington, but 
this time as a member of the U.S. Senate. A position which he has 
served with honor and dignity, becoming one of the most respected 
Senators of his generation.
  As a member of the Agriculture Committee, David Pryor's leadership 
has led to the development of innovative programs and legislation to 
help our farmers and defend Arkansas'

[[Page H10806]]

resources. In addition, David Pryor is considered one of the most 
influential advocates in Washington on behalf of older Americans. He 
also is a nationally recognized leader in the fight to save the Social 
Security system, to reform our nursing home industry, to bring down 
prescription drug prices, and to make government institutions preserve 
the essential dignity of the senior citizens in this country.
  As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, David Pryor wrote the 
``Taxpayer Bill of Rights,'' which was the first piece of legislation 
in 40 years to guarantee the basic rights of individual taxpayer when 
they deal with the Internal Revenue Service.
  David Pryor is held in high esteem by his colleagues in Congress, and 
in 1989, he became the first Arkansas Senator since Joe T. Robinson to 
occupy a position in the Senate leadership, which he held for 6 years 
until 1995. Few have created such a positive influence for Arkansas and 
our great Nation while remaining so dedicated to service. But most 
importantly, David Pryor considers it an honor to represent the people 
of Arkansas, and we consider it an honor to have had such a talented 
and compassionate individual to represent us and our State for these 
many years. The motto of his service, ``Arkansas Comes First,'' is more 
than a slogan; it has and continues to be his way of life.
  With the constant negativity and partisanship in the political 
climate of the 1990's, many politicians have fallen from grace in the 
eyes of their constituents and the Nation. However, I can honestly say 
that there is no one who is more respected for his leadership abilities 
and his kind, thoughtful nature in the State of Arkansas than Senator 
David Pryor. Senator Pryor continues to transcend partisan political 
bickering to remain at all times a gentleman and a statesman, and one 
of the most admired persons to ever grace the halls of Congress. 
Further, I could not have asked for a more supportive, caring, and 
thoughtful mentor.
  Again, may I add my full support for H.R. 3877, designating the David 
H. Pryor U.S. Post Office.
  Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHUGH. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Greene of Utah). 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. 3877, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to 
designate the United States Post Office building located at 351 West 
Washington Street in Camden, Arkansas, as the `David H. Pryor Post 
Office Building'.''
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________