[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H674-H676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RICHARD C. WHITE FEDERAL BUILDING

  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 233) to designate the Federal building located 
at 700 East San Antonio Street in El Paso, Texas, as the ``Richard C. 
White Federal building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 233

       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 700 East San Antonio Street 
     in El Paso, Texas, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Richard C. White 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 ``Richard C. White Federal Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from

[[Page H675]]

New Jersey (Mr. Franks) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Wise) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks).
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 233 designates the Federal building located in El 
Paso, Texas, as the Richard C. White Federal Building.
  Congressman White represented the 16th District of Texas in the 
United States House of Representatives for nine successive terms, from 
1965 to 1983. He was known for his dedication to public and community 
service. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War 
II, receiving the military order of the Purple Heart. He also served in 
the Texas State House of Representatives from 1955 to 1958.
  In 1983, after serving his ninth congressional term, Congressman 
White returned to his family in El Paso to resume his legal career and 
serve as a civic leader. He passed away in February 1998.
  As a dedicated public servant to the people of El Paso, this is 
indeed a fitting tribute. I support the bill and I urge my colleagues 
to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), who has worked so hard to get this 
bill to the floor.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 233 and urge this House to 
pass it. I am proud to have authored the legislation to name the 
Federal building in El Paso, Texas, after Richard C. White, who 
represented the people of El Paso in Congress for nine terms, from 1965 
to 1983.
  In his years of service to our Nation and the people of the 16th 
District, Congressman White showed genuine concern for his constituents 
and a commitment to do all that was in his power to help those whom he 
served. He truly led a life filled with integrity, compassion and 
contribution to the well-being of others, and he made a lasting 
impression on the lives of all who knew him.
  I would like to thank the Speaker of the House, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hastert), and the majority leader, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Armey), as well as the minority leader, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), for scheduling this bill on the floor today.
  I would also like to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Shuster) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the chairman 
and ranking members of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, for their support of this legislation as well. Their 
expeditious scheduling of this bill is greatly appreciated by the 
people of El Paso.
  Also, I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks) and 
the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Wise), the chairman and ranking 
members of the Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic 
Development, for their support and managing of this legislation today.
  I would also like to extend my gratitude to the 50 Members who 
cosponsored H.R. 233. Congressman White would have been proud and 
pleased to know of his many friends in the 106th Congress who knew him 
and remembered his legacy of public achievement and his leadership on 
behalf of our great Nation.
  Early in his life Richard White showed a great concern and commitment 
to his community and to his country. He entered military service as a 
marine in World War II and saw action in the Pacific theater. While 
fighting in the battles of Bougainville, Guam and Iwo Jima, he was 
wounded in action, and his service to his country was marked with great 
honor and decoration, receiving the military order of the Purple Heart.
  Upon returning to the States, this military veteran began advocating 
as an outstanding lawyer for the people of El Paso. In heeding a call 
for greater community service, Congressman White launched the beginning 
of a distinguished career as a legislator, serving first in the Texas 
House from 1955 to 1958.
  From the beginning, he worked hard to improve the quality of life 
along the border, focusing on health care and environmental issues. He 
established a nursing home at the University of Texas at El Paso and 
created the Hueco Tanks State Park.
  Richard White launched his Congressional career in 1965 as a 
representative for the 16th District of Texas. Many of my colleagues 
now were also his colleagues and remember his strong advocacy on behalf 
of his District. Congressman White exemplified the epitome of public 
service.
  His work on the Committee on Armed Services reflected a strong 
commitment to national security, providing unwavering support for Fort 
Bliss's Army Post and in drafting the reorganization of the legislation 
for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In addition, he brought the needs of El 
Paso and the border to the forefront in Congress as he created the 
Chamizal Border Highway and the Chamizal National Memorial.
  He also served with distinction on several other committees, the 
Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, Committee on Post Office and 
Civil Service, and on the Committee on Science and Technology.
  Even though having attained seniority and earning the respect and 
admiration of his peers, he nevertheless left Congress to return to his 
family in El Paso. Very typical of Congressman Richard White. The proud 
father of seven children, he was intent on spending more time with them 
and seeking other alternatives to civic service.
  I can say today, Mr. Speaker, that Richard White made the most of his 
life by touching the lives of those around him.

                              {time}  1500

  He was a dedicated representative, a loving husband, a caring father 
and, most of all, a friend. But, in all of this, he was a consummate 
professional in everything he did. He was a tremendous leader and a 
true gentleman who left behind a legacy for all public servants to 
emulate. It is only fitting that we honor and remember him by passing 
this legislation today.
  I, therefore, look forward to the Senate's quick enactment of the 
bill and the President's signature of this legislation. With the 
passage of this bill into law, the designation of the ``Richard C. 
White Federal Building'' will serve as a perpetual reminder to our 
community that he served so well, with the highest values of public 
service and the ability of one person to improve the lives of many.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, from being a distinguished war veteran to a 
representative in Congress to a devoted family man, Mr. White clearly 
has left his mark. It is most fitting and proper that we support this 
legislation and honor the civic career of Richard C. White by 
designating the Federal building in El Paso as the ``Richard C. White 
Federal Building.''
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 233 is a bill to designate the federal building in 
El Paso, Texas as the ``Richard C. White'' Federal Building.
  As you may know Richard White was a former colleague from Texas who 
represented the 16th district of Texas from 1965 until 1983. I wish to 
acknowledge the persistent efforts of Congressman Reyes, sponsor of the 
bill, who currently hold this seat. Congressman Reyes worked diligently 
with Committee members to ensure this bill came to the House floor in a 
timely manner.
  Congressman White was a native born Texan from El Paso who attended 
the University of El Paso, and later received his law degree from the 
University of Texas in Austin.
  From 1942 until 1945 he served his country with honor and 
distinction. As a United States Marine stationed in the Pacific he saw 
active duty and was awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
  In 1965 he was elected to the United States Congress where he served 
for 9 terms. While in Congress he served on the Armed Services, 
Interior, Post Office and Civil Service, and the Science and Technology 
committees where he was known as a team player, and consensus builder.
  In 1983 he retired to El Paso, resumed his legal career and became 
active in numerous civic activities. Richard White was a devoted 
husband and father of 7 children. His values, character, integrity, and 
leadership were assets to the United States Congress.

[[Page H676]]

  It is most fitting and proper that we support this legislation and 
honor the civic career of Richard C. White by designating the federal 
building in El Paso as the ``Richard C. White'' Federal Building.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 233.
  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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