[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H706-H708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        KEITH D. OGLESBY STATION

  Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2952) to redesignate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 100 Orchard Park Drive in Greenville, South 
Carolina, as the ``Keith D. Oglesby Station''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2952

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

     SECTION 1. REDESIGNATION.

       The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
     100 Orchard Park Drive in Greenville, South Carolina, and 
     known as the Orchard Park Station, shall be known and 
     designated as the ``Keith D. Oglesby Station''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the facility referred 
     to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the 
     ``Keith D. Oglesby Station''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Terry) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia 
(Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry).


                             General Leave

  Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H.R. 2952, the bill now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Nebraska?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint) 
introduced H.R. 2952 on September 27, 1999, along with the entire South 
Carolina delegation as original cosponsors.
  The Congressional Budget Office has reviewed the legislation and has 
estimated that its enactment would have no significant impact on the 
Federal budget and would not affect direct spending or receipts. 
Therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply.
  This bill contains no intergovernmental or private sector mandates as 
defined by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs 
on State, local, or tribal governments.
  The legislation redesignates the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 100 Orchard Park Drive in Greenville, South 
Carolina, presently known as the Orchard Park Station, as the Keith D. 
Oglesby Station.
  Keith Oglesby was the postmaster of Greenville for 6 years. 
Unfortunately, sadly, tragically, he drowned last year while on 
vacation with his family. Among the many activities the postmaster was 
associated with are chairperson for the Greenville Counties Combined 
Federal Campaign for 5 years; postal co-chair for the Upstate Postal 
Customer Council and he served on the board of directors for 4 years 
and President for a year of Senior Action, an organization to provide 
and raise funds for social events for senior adults in Greenville 
County.
  Mr. Oglesby was awarded the Benjamin Award, the Postal Service's top 
public relations honor. He received the second award posthumously. 
Postal employees, his peers and customers in Greenville have requested 
that Mr. Oglesby be remembered in the community where he lived, worked, 
and served.
  Mr. Oglesby was known by his words, quote, ``do the right thing,'' 
end quote. I believe that such an honor initiated by one's own 
community is the right thing and I thank our colleague, the gentleman 
from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint), for sponsoring H.R. 2952, naming a 
postal facility after postmaster Keith D. Oglesby, and I urge all of 
our colleagues to support this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  As a Member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to 
join my committee colleague, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry), 
in the consideration of two postal naming bills. Both bills honor a 
number of fine individuals who have contributed much to the improvement 
of their communities and States.
  H.R. 2952 and H.R. 3018 have met the committee's sponsorship 
requirement and are supported by the entire South Carolina 
congressional delegation. In addition to and on behalf of the ranking 
minority member, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), I would 
like to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) and the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. McHugh), for their support and assistance in the 
accommodation and timely consideration of these postal-naming bills.
  As a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to 
bring to my colleagues' attention H.R. 2952, legislation introduced by 
the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint). H.R. 2952 would 
designate a post office located at 100 Orchard Park Drive in 
Greenville, South Carolina, as the Keith D. Oglesby Station.
  Mr. Oglesby was a tireless worker and community activist. As the 
Greenville postmaster, he took his position in the community seriously. 
He hosted the First-Day Issue ceremonies for the Organ & Tissue 
Donation Stamp, coordinated blood drives, and participated in the March 
of Dimes Walk America and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
  He was honored posthumously with a second Benjamin Award, the Postal 
Service's top public relations award, given in recognition of community 
outreach accomplishments.
  I urge my colleagues to join in honoring Mr. Oglesby and to pass H.R. 
2952.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint), the initiator and sponsor 
of this important legislation.
  (Mr. DeMint asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. DeMINT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Terry) very much for managing this bill on the floor.
  Madam Speaker, today the House will consider a bill which is very 
important to my hometown and to the people of Greenville, South 
Carolina. H.R. 2952 renames the Orchard Park Station of the Greenville 
Post Office in honor of the late Postmaster Keith D. Oglesby.
  The tragic and unexpected death of Mr. Oglesby last summer shocked 
and saddened the community of Greenville.

[[Page H707]]

As we have grieved his loss, we have also struggled to find a way to 
appropriately honor Mr. Oglesby in his contribution to the post office 
and to the community of Greenville.
  Renaming a postal facility in his honor is one way to pay tribute to 
this outstanding citizen and beloved boss. The dedication of Keith 
Oglesby to his job and to serving others has aided those in the 
Greenville community, as well as the State of South Carolina and the 
Nation as a whole.
  Among many other community service activities, Mr. Oglesby hosted the 
First Day of Issue ceremonies for the Organ & Tissue Donation Stamp. He 
filled Christmas stockings for the Salvation Army. He coordinated the 
postal blood drive. He participated in the March of Dimes Walk America 
and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
  Mr. Oglesby also supported the work of the Greenville Family 
Partnership, which I am on their board, and he supported our efforts to 
keep kids safe and drug free.
  He was honored by the Greenville Family Partnership as the volunteer 
of the year in 1997. As a supervisor, as has already been mentioned, he 
always told his workers to do the right thing. This motto permeated his 
actions and expectations to local postal customers, employees of the 
post office, and to higher management of the United States Postal 
Service.
  We recognize his service to our community. He was also honored, as 
has been mentioned already today, with two Benjamin Awards, the Postal 
Service's top public relations honor given to recognize community 
outreach accomplishments.
  In the word of a Greenville postal employee, renaming the facility in 
honor of Keith D. Oglesby is important, because, and I quote, ``Keith 
Oglesby, a man respected and admired by his peers, his employees and 
many, many postal customers, would always be remembered in a community 
which he proudly lived, worked and served.''
  Madam Speaker, we are a success in this life when the people who know 
us the best love us the most.

                              {time}  1030

  We received this morning a number of pages of quotes and comments 
from folks who had worked for Mr. Oglesby and knew him and I will 
submit them for the Record at this time.
       The following quotes testify to the character of Keith D. 
     Oglesby, who we seek to honor today by passing H.R. 2952, 
     designating the Keith D. Oglesby Station.
                                 ______
                                 
       As the past branch president for the local letter carriers' 
     union, I had the honor of working with Keith Oglesby for more 
     than five years. Keith's door was always open for any 
     employee at any level, and when you spoke, he listened.
       In my 30 years with the Postal Service, Keith was, without 
     a doubt, a man who defined dignity and respect for all 
     employees at all levels. He walked the talk--every day--every 
     hour--every minute that I knew him.
       I know I will never meet another like him, and for this, I 
     am sad. But I'll never forget his kind, smiling face, and 
     I'll always smile when he walks through my memories.
                                                 Steven B. Gibson,
     US Postal Service.
                                  ____

       If you close your eyes and think for a moment of the kind 
     of person you would most like to have as a friend, a father, 
     a brother or a neighbor, Keith will come to mind.
       He was fun and funny: interesting and interested; caring 
     and carefree; warm and giving in all walks of his life. I 
     appreciate to opportunity to have worked with Keith through 
     the Upstate Postal Customer Council.
                                                 Carolyn Thompson,
     Liberty Life.
                                  ____

       I met Keith when I became a member of the Upstate Postal 
     Customer Council Executive Board in 1996.
       He was energetic, kind-hearted and had a great sense of 
     humor. He had a genuine concern for people and always greeted 
     you with a smile.
       Keith was an inspiration and a blessing to all who knew 
     him. We will miss him dearly!
                                                    Kathy Jenkins,
     Clemson University.
                                  ____

       In every way, Keith Oglesby consistently provided an 
     example of being a superior manager of the public's trust, 
     while being a warm, interactive employer and a human being.

                                         Hugh M. Hampton, Jr.,

                                               Manager, Marketing,
     US Postal Service.
                                  ____

       Keith believed in the power of positive reinforcement to 
     achieve goals. While others may have resorted to threats or 
     predictions of gloom and doom, Keith inspired each person the 
     encountered to live up to their full potential, not only with 
     his words, but with his actions.
       Because of his belief in the basic good in everyone, the 
     ``impossible'' became the ``possible'' and achievable.
                                                    Carolyn Clark,
     US Postal Service.
                                  ____

       Daryel (Keith) was a devoted and loving husband; a caring 
     and encouraging father; a faithful friend and a Man among 
     Men.
       Daryel (Keith) always welcomed people with open arms, 
     accepting them for who they were, never judging but always 
     supporting.
                                                    Stephen Jeter,
     Family Friend.
                                  ____

       Keith Daryel Oglesby never met a stranger. His love and 
     caring for everyone he met was truly an inspiration.
       Our forty-year friendship with Keith has allowed us to 
     witness his dedication to his family, work and friends with 
     the most wonderful combination of sincerity, responsibility 
     energy and humor. We were blessed to have been a part of his 
     life.
                                         Tommy and Jeannie Barret,
     Family Friends.
                                  ____

       Keith always put the important things in their proper 
     perspective--like family, a worthy cause, menitoring others, 
     health and doing things he loved. His memory is a source of 
     strength to all who knew him.
                                                    Guynell Brown,
     US Postal Service.
                                  ____

       Not only did Keith always look for and see the best in 
     people, he also helped others see the best in themselves. He 
     was a person who truly ``walked the talk.''
                                                    Sandra Taylor,
     US Postal Service.
                                  ____

       Keith was the most genuine person I ever met. He always 
     made everyone feel comfortable and at ease. He was everyone's 
     friend.
                                                     Jeanne Brown,
     Greenville Marriott.
                                  ____

       Keith Oglesby was a kind, gentle and honorable man--someone 
     you knew you could trust.
                                                     Jim Hardwick,
     Hardwick Printing.
                                  ____

       1. A friend to everyone.
       2. Caring for others--senior citizens, employees, and 
     visitors.
       3. Patience--willing to listen to those who had an opinion, 
     either good or bad.
       4. Placed the customer first.
       5. Motivator.
       6. Encourager--encouraged people to take the worst moments 
     in their lives and make them positive.
       7. Loyal--Keith was loyal to the employees at the lowest 
     level of work to the senior management in the organization.
       8. Time--Keith would take the time to hear from a 
     dissatisfied customer, an employee with a problem or someone 
     who needed his help.
       9. A futurist--looking at a problem and able to see the 
     positive in every situation.
       10. A loyal Florida State graduate and Seminole fan.
                                                     Tommy Abbott,
     US Postal Service.
                                  ____

       Keith Oglesby was the most compassionate and caring person 
     you could ever hope to work for. No employee was too small; 
     nor was time ever too short for Keith to take a minute to 
     talk.
                                                    Thomas Turner,
     US Postal Service.
                                  ____

       Keith was the finest neighbor and family man ever. He was a 
     kind, humble person--a gentleman's gentleman.
       People who met him didn't just like him--they LOVED him. 
     There was no gray area.
                                                      Robert Moon,
     Retired postal employee, friend and neighbor.
                                  ____


  Keith Daryel Oglesby, A Special Friend, June 5, 1947-June 7, 1999--
       Postmaster, Greenville, SC, December 26, 1992-June 7, 1999

                      Loved By All--Missed By All

                    (By Tommy Abbott, June 10, 1999)

     He must have been born happy and with a smile;
     It must have remained there when he was a child.
     He kept it there throughout his adult life--this smile on his 
           face,
     He shared it with everyone he met no matter what the place.

     He must have been born with a big heart that had an unusual 
           beat.
     It was a heart that cared for the people he would meet.
     A heart that would listen to those who wanted to talk;
     No matter who the person was or the path they had walked.

     He must have been born with a caring mind;
     He always had an attitude that was sweet and kind.
     When others had a need, he would place them first;
     And give them food, or water to meet their thirst.

     He must have been born with happy feet;
     He would walk around and encourage those he would meet.
     If he found that you were disappointed with life or a little 
           down;

[[Page H708]]

     He would cheer you up and you were glad he was around.

     He must have been born with a gift of encouragement;
     It was one of those gifts that God would have sent.
     He was good at encouraging others and lifting them up;
     It only took his smile, his voice, or sharing coffee in a 
           cup.

     He must have been born with the ability to look ahead;
     Because he was normally thinking what to do or what to be 
           said.
     He had the answers for problems or trouble that came his way;
     They seemed to disappear when you listened to what he had to 
           say.

     Keith was born and one day, like everyone, he had to die;
     That is something we all face in this present life.
     But he has come onto our life's path and taught us many 
           lessons;
     On looking at the best in life and be happy for no reasons.

     God went into the garden the other day to pick some flowers;
     He didn't have to spend all day searching or even an hour.
     He saw one flower, it was a beauty and happy in life's 
           breeze;
     He said that is My flower, I will take it home;
     And Keith smiled.

  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote in favor of House 
Resolution 2952. The Keith D. Oglesby Station would be a permanent 
memorial of the steadfast service of Keith Oglesby to the Greenville 
community and to the United States Post Office.
  Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2952.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________