[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  JOHN GRIESEMER POST OFFICE BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 12, 1997

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to designate 
the U.S. Post Office Building located at Bennett and Kansas Avenue in 
Springfield, MO, as the John Griesemer Post Office Building.
  John Griesemer was born in Mount Vernon, MO, and grew up on a dairy 
farm in Billings, MO. He graduated from Billings High School in 1948 
and he earned a bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering from 
the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1953. He served as a first 
lieutenant, Engineering Officer in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 until 
1956.
  After his discharge from the Air Force, John returned to southwest 
Missouri to work for his family's business, Greisemer Stone Co. He 
served there as president and as a director until his death in 1993.
  In defiance of conventional wisdom, John Griesemer balanced a 
successful career with family life and a dedication to community 
service. He and his wife, Kathleen, raised five children on a small 
farm just east of Springfield, MO. John was active in his church, 
having served as chairman of the annual Diocesan Development fund 
drive, member of the Financial Advisory Committee and co-trustee of the 
Heer-Andres Trust of the Catholic diocese of Springfield-Cape 
Girardeau, MO. He also served as co-chairman of the Margin for 
Excellence fund drive to establish an endowment and build a new 
Catholic High School in Springfield. John was an Eagle Scout, a Scout 
Master and, in later years, served on the Board of the Ozarks Council 
of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also involved with the Junior 
Achievement program.
  In addition to his work with Griesemer Stone Co., John founded Joplin 
Stone Co. and Missouri Commercial Transportation Co., and served as 
president of Springfield Ready Mix Co. He was a director of Boatmen's 
National Bank and, in 1991 was president of the Springfield Development 
Council, a nonprofit subsidiary corporation of the Springfield Chamber 
of Commerce.
  In 1984, John was named by President Reagan to serve on the U.S. 
Postal Service Board of Governors, which oversees the Postal Service. 
He was elected chairman of that Board in 1987 and 1988 and served for 3 
years as its vice chairman.
  In spite of his many personal achievements, John's favorite story 
about himself was one of personal failure. When he was 8 years old he 
got a job picking strawberries; at the end of the first day he had 
failed to meet his quota, so he was fired. In the words of his wife 
Kathleen, ``that shows that failure is not forever.'' His example is 
one that all Americans can live by.
  John Griesemer passed away in 1993, survived by his wife and five 
children. His legacy is one of service to his God, his country and to 
his fellowman through dedication to family, business and community. I 
ask that my colleagues join me in honoring that legacy by passing the 
legislation that I have offered today.

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