[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H7463-H7464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             JEROME ANTHONY AMBRO, JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3167) to designate the United States Post Office located at 
297 Larkfield Road in East Northport, New York, as the ``Jerome Anthony 
Ambro, Jr. Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3167

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

[[Page H7464]]

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The United States Post Office located at 297 Larkfield Road 
     in East Northport, New York, shall be known and designated as 
     the ``Jerome Anthony Ambro, Jr. 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 referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a 
     reference to the ``Jerome Anthony Ambro, Jr. Post Office 
     Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Sessions) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3167 was introduced by the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Ackerman). The legislation was introduced on February 5, 1998 and 
is cosponsored by the entire House delegation from the State of New 
York pursuant to the policy of the Committee on Government Reform and 
Oversight.
  H.R. 3167 designates the building of the United States Postal Service 
located at 297 Larkfield Road in East Northport, New York, as the 
``Jerome Anthony Ambro, Jr. Post Office Building''.
  Jerome Anthony Ambro, Jr., a lifelong New Yorker, was born in 
Brooklyn. He graduated from New York University and served in the 
United States Army military police. Mr. Ambro served four terms as 
Huntington Town Supervisor and as a member of the Suffolk County Board 
of Supervisors. He was elected to Congress in 1974 and served three 
terms representing the 3rd District of New York. Mr. Ambro was elected 
leader of the 1982 freshman Members who were elected after Watergate. 
He served as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Natural Resources 
and Environment and was known for his tireless work for senior 
citizens, strengthening Social Security, and his role in passing the 
clean air and clean water legislation. Mr. Ambro died at age 64 in 
1993.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in support of H.R. 3167.
  Our effort here, Mr. Speaker, is to name a post office in honor of a 
former colleague, and this was offered by the gentleman from the great 
State of New York (Mr. Ackerman). It is in honor of a gentleman whose 
record of service in this House speaks for itself, I think all would 
agree, in terms of his fight on behalf of senior citizens and the 
protection of Social Security and in terms of his efforts in passing 
the Clean Air Act, his acknowledged leadership by his colleagues when 
he was elected head of the freshman class, some 82 Members.
  The other point that I would make is that he served even before his 
election here to Congress. He was a member of the armed forces and, in 
part, during his service there, was a military police officer. My older 
brother served as a military police officer, so I have a certain 
affection for those who serve in that role or have served in that role. 
And I also think it is important to note his recognized contributions 
in his local community.
  So I would join with my colleague from Texas and ask that we 
favorably support this bill unanimously out of the House and that we do 
our part, which is to acknowledge his service and his dedication to 
public service, through the naming of this post office in his hometown.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3167, a 
bill to designate the United States Post Office located in East 
Northport, New York, as the ``Jerome Anthony Ambro, Jr. Post Office 
Building.'' This legislation is a fitting tribute to a great man and 
selfless public servant.
  I am proud to be the sponsor of this legislation. The fact that all 
31 members of the New York Delegation cosponsored the bill demonstrates 
the respect we all have for Jerome Anthony Ambro, Jr. In addition, both 
Senators from New York have sponsored similar legislation in the other 
body. It doesn't stop there. The Huntington Town Board--the local 
government representing the community where the post office is 
located--unanimously approved a resolution urging Congress to pass this 
legislation.
  The reason this bill has such widespread support, from the grassroots 
to the Capitol, is that Jerry, as his friends called him, served his 
constituents, colleagues and country well. Unfortunately, our nation 
sustained a major loss when Jerry passed away in 1993 from diabetes 
complications.
  Jerry was a lifelong New Yorker, and he never forgot his roots. 
Following his service in the United States Army, Jerry served his 
constituents admirably for four terms as the Huntington Town 
Supervisor. In that role, he worked diligently to improve environmental 
protection and senior citizen services on Long Island.
  Following his local success, Jerry was elected to three terms in the 
U.S. House of Representatives where he served as Chairman of the 
Science Subcommittee on Natural Resources and the Environment. He 
played a leading role in passing clean air and clean water legislation 
that improved our country's quality of life. Jerry also was a tireless 
advocate for senior citizens, fighting for the strengthening of Social 
Security.
  Jerry Ambro's distinguished public service in local government and 
the House of Representatives deserves to be honored. The East Northport 
Post Office will be a legacy to Jerry's tireless efforts to improve the 
lives of New Yorkers.
  I thank the chairman and the ranking member of the Postal Service 
Subcommittee for their cooperation in moving this legislation, and I 
strongly urge all of my colleagues to support this important bill.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3167.
  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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