[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H524-H526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  BLAINE H. EATON POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 916) to designate the United States Post Office 
building located at 750 Highway 28 East in Taylorsville, Mississippi, 
as the ``Blaine H. Eaton Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:
       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF BLAINE H. EATON POST OFFICE 
                   BUILDING.

       The United States Post Office building located at 750 
     Highway 28 East in Taylorsville,

[[Page H525]]

     Mississippi, shall be known and designated as the ``Blaine H. 
     Eaton 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 ``Blaine H. Eaton Post Office 
     Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. McHugh) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).

                              {time}  1600

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us, S. 916, was introduced by the 
senior Senator from Mississippi, Senator Cochran on June 17, 1997, and 
cosponsored by the junior Senator from Mississippi, the majority 
leader, Senator Lott.
  On October 9 the measure was called up by unanimous consent, 
discharging the Senate Committee on Government Affairs. It was 
considered in the Senate without amendment and passed the same day. The 
legislation designates the United States Post Office located at 750 
Highway 28 East in Taylorsville, Mississippi, be known as the ``Blaine 
H. Eaton Post Office Building''.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Eaton started his professional career as a farmer 
and cotton buyer from Anderson-Clayton Company. He was executive 
secretary to U.S. Senator James Eastland before joining the U.S. Navy 
from 1944 to 1946. After returning from World War II he was elected to 
the Mississippi State House of Representatives, where he served for 12 
years. The bills he passed in Mississippi, such as the farm-to-market 
legislation, are still benefiting the people of that State today.
  He left public office in 1958 and became the manager of the Southern 
Pine Electric Power Association. He was recognized for his outstanding 
service by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and was 
presented with the Clyde T. Ellis Award for distinguished service and 
outstanding leadership.
  Mr. Eaton retired from his professional career in 1982, but remained 
active in community service. He taught Sunday school classes for 25 
years at the First Baptist Church of Taylorsville, where he was a 
member until his death in 1995.
  Mr. Speaker, here, too, I think we see a very fitting individual, 
fully deserving of having a United States Post Office Building 
dedicated to his name. This is a man who, like so many others, 
represents the values, represents the kind of personal qualifications 
that all of Americans can look toward with a great deal of honor and a 
great deal of respect.
  I would certainly urge all of my colleagues to join in supporting the 
entire State delegation, including Mr. Pickering, who is not able to be 
with us on the floor today, but I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, was very, 
very instrumental in ensuring full and fast consideration of this bill 
in the House, and he would urge its passage as well.
  Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us, S. 916, was introduced by the 
Senior Senator from Mississippi (Senator Cochran) on June 17, 1997 and 
cosponsored by the Junior Senator from Mississippi (Senator Lott). On 
October 9, 1997, the measure was called up by unanimous consent 
discharging the Senate Committee on Government Affairs. It was 
considered in the Senate without amendment and passed the same day. 
This legislation designates the United States Post Office Building 
located at 750 Highway 28 East in Taylorsville, Mississippi be known as 
the ``Blaine H. Eaton Post Office Building''.
  S. 916 honors Blaine H. Eaton, a native of Smith County, Mississippi. 
He attended Jones Junior College in the 1930's and was named Alumni of 
the Year in 1984. He also attended the University of Mississippi and 
George Washington Law School.
  Mr. Blaine Eaton started his professional career as a farmer and 
cotton buyer for Anderson-Clayton Co. He was executive secretary to 
U.S. Senator James O. Eastland before joining the U.S. Navy from 1944 
to 1946. After returning from World War II he was elected to the 
Mississippi State House of Representatives where he served 12 years. 
The bills he passed in Mississippi, such as the Farm-to-Market 
legislation, are still benefiting the people of Mississippi today. He 
left public office in 1958 and became the manager of the Southern Pine 
Electric Power Association. He was recognized for his outstanding 
service by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and was 
presented the Clyde T. Ellis Award for distinguished service and 
outstanding leadership.
  Mr. Eaton retired from his professional career in 1982 but remained 
active in community service. He taught Sunday School classes for 25 
years at the First Baptist Church of Taylorsville where he was a member 
until his death in 1995.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a fitting tribute to Blaine H. Eaton to have the 
U.S. Post Office Building located at 750 Highway 28 East in 
Taylorsville, Mississippi, named after this extraordinary 
Mississippian.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to support S. 916.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to join with the gentleman from New 
York (Chairman McHugh) in support of Senate bill 916, legislation 
introduced by Senator Thad Cochran from Mississippi which names a 
United States Post Office building in Taylorsville, Mississippi, as the 
``Blaine H. Eaton Post Office Building''.
  Mr. Eaton, as we have already heard, although deceased, had a very 
illustrious career. He served in the Navy, the Mississippi State House 
of Representatives, worked for the Southern Pine Electric Power 
Association, and was active in many civic organizations, including his 
church. I think his neighbors and friends continue to remember his long 
legacy of community service, and S. 916 commemorates Mr. Eaton's public 
service and dedication to his community, State, and country. Therefore, 
I am pleased to join in support of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak on 
behalf of legislation designating the U.S. Post Office facility located 
in Taylorsville, Mississippi, as the ``Blaine H. Eaton Post Office 
Building.''
  A native of Smith County, Mississippi, Mr. Eaton attended Jones 
Junior College from 1932-1934 and was named ``Alumni of the Year in 
1984.'' He also attended the University of Mississippi and George 
Washington Law School.
  He began his professional career as a farmer and cotton buyer from 
Anderson-Clayton Company and in 1942, he became the first executive 
secretary to former U.S. Senator James O. Eastland (D-MS). Mr Eaton 
served our Nation in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. Upon returning 
home from world War II, he was elected to serve in the Mississippi 
House of Representatives, and he effectively served the people of Smith 
County for 12 years. His leadership as chairman of the Highway and 
Highway Finance Committee resulted in the successful passage of the 
``Farm-to-Market'' legislation that is still benefiting Mississippi 
today as the ``State Aid Road Program.'' After leaving public office in 
1958, Mr. Eaton became the manager of the Southern Pine Electric Power 
Association. His outstanding service and accomplishments were 
recognized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association with 
the ``Clyde T. Ellis Award'' for distinguished service and outstanding 
leadership.
  Although retiring from his professional career in 1982, Mr. Eaton 
remained active in community service and enriched the lives of many by 
volunteering his time and leadership abilities to such organizations as 
the Lions Club International, the Hiram Masonic Lodge, the Southeast 
Mississippi Livestock Association, and the Economic Development 
Foundation. He was also a loyal member of the First Baptist Church of 
Taylorsville where he taught Sunday School classes for 25 years.
  With the death of Blaine Eaton in 1995, our State lost one of its 
finest citizens. Designating the Taylorsville Post Office as the 
``Blaine H. Eaton Post Office Building'' will commemorate the public 
service of their extraordinary Mississippian who dedicated his life to 
the betterment of the community and State he loved so much.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, with a final urging of all our colleagues to 
support this legislation and give a very fitting tribute to a very 
fitting person, I would urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shaw). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 916.

[[Page H526]]

  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________