[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
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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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