[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 14, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H942-H944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    JOEL T. BROYHILL POSTAL BUILDING

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3699) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 8409 Lee Highway in Merrifield, Virginia, as the 
``Joel T. Broyhill Postal Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3699

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

     SECTION 1. JOEL T. BROYHILL POSTAL BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 8409 Lee Highway in Merrifield, Virginia, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Joel T. Broyhill 
     Postal Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the ``Joel T. Broyhill Postal Building''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.R. 3699.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) introduced this 
bill, H.R. 3699, on February 29 of this year, with each Member of the 
House delegation from the State of Virginia supporting the legislation, 
which is the standing policy on the Committee on Government Reform.
  As noted, Mr. Speaker, this bill designates the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 8409 Lee Highway in Merrifield, 
Virginia, as the ``Joel T. Broyhill Postal Building.''
  The Congressional Budget Office has reviewed the legislation and has 
determined the enactment of H.R. 3699 would have no significant impact 
upon the Federal budget. Spending by the Postal Service is classified 
as off-budget and, thus, is not subject to pay-as-you-go procedures. As 
well, the bill contains no intergovernmental or private sector mandates 
as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. It would impose no cost 
on State, local, or tribal governments.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the record of this subcommittee in 
working with particularly the distinguished gentleman from 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), the ranking minority member, 
in having the opportunity to bring a host of postal naming bills to 
this floor.
  Today we have two bills that certainly are no exception, two bills 
that seek to name facilities after individuals who, as their 
predecessors have done, have so admirably served their country, have 
served, in these instances, their Congress and their government here in 
Washington, and most importantly have served their communities.

                              {time}  1430

  I am going to be pleased in a moment to yield to our good friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), for a full 
description of the background of our first designee. But I would just 
say that this is an individual who was elected to the 83rd Congress in 
1955 and for 22 years served in this House proudly.
  Of interest, he was the first Member of Congress to represent what 
was then the newly created 10th Congressional District of Virginia, 
where he served as a member on the Republican side of the aisle. It is 
also important to note, Mr. Speaker, that Congressman Broyhill was also 
a member of what was then the Committee on Post Office and Civil 
Service, that committee at the time that oversaw the activities of the 
postal service and, as such, I think is particularly worthy of this 
particular designation.
  His time in Congress, I think, would merit such a designation, but 
Congressman Broyhill accumulated a record of service that extends far 
beyond the halls of this hallowed institution. He was a decorated 
veteran. He served in World War II as a captain and, at age 25, he 
fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was taken prisoner and held 
in a German POW camp until he heroically escaped and rejoined the 
advancing allied forces.
  In short, Mr. Speaker, this is an individual that dedicated most of 
his life to service of his country, both in a public fashion and, as we 
have just heard, in his military capacity as well.
  Congressman Broyhill today is the father of three daughters and one 
step-daughter and resides not far from this body, in Arlington, 
Virginia. It is with great pride, Mr. Speaker, that I bring this bill 
to the floor and ask for its enthusiastic adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  As a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to 
join with the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) in the consideration 
of two postal-naming bills. Both bills honor fine individuals who have 
contributed much to the improvement of their country and their State.
  First, we will consider H.R. 3699, which honors Joel Broyhill. When 
the time is appropriate, Mr. Speaker, after we hear from the prime 
sponsor, I will yield to my colleague, the gentleman from the fine 
State of Virginia (Mr. Moran), to make some further comments on this 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker: H.R. 3699 and H.R. 3701, both sponsored by Congressman 
Frank Wolf, have met the committee cosponsorship requirement and are 
supported by the entire Virginia congressional delegation. It must be 
voted that the persons honored by H.R. 3699 and H.R. 3701--former 
members of Congress--Joel Broyhill and Joseph Fisher, both represented 
the congressional district currently held by Congressman Frank Wolf.
  As the Ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on the Postal 
Service, I would like to thank Chairman Burton and Chairman

[[Page H943]]

McHugh for their support and assistance in the accommodation and timely 
consideration of these postal naming bills.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3699, to designate the United States Postal Service 
located at 8409 Lee Highway in Merrifield, Virginia, as the ``Joel T. 
Broyhill Postal Building,'' was introduced by Congressman Wolf on 
Tuesday, February 29, 2000, with the support and cosponsorship of the 
entire Virginia delegation.
  Congressman Joel T. Broyhill was born in 1919 in Hopewell, Virginia. 
A World War II Army veteran, he fought in the famous ``Battle of the 
Bulge,'' was captured and held as a POW in a German camp until his 
escape. Mr. Broyhill returned to Virginia and was elected to Congress 
in 1952, representing the 1oth District for 22 years. He served as a 
Republican member of the House Committee on Post Office and Civil 
Service, the Committee on the District of Columbia, and the Committee 
on Ways and Means.
  I urge swift adoption of this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), who is the primary author of this 
bill, a gentleman who has worked very hard to bring these two very 
meritorious measures to the floor before us today.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege, as the representative of the 10th 
Congressional District of Virginia, to speak today in very strong 
support of legislation I introduced which would designate the postal 
facility located at 8409 Lee Highway in Merrifield, Virginia, as the 
Joel T. Broyhill Postal Building. I want to thank the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. McHugh) of the Subcommittee on Postal Service and the 
entire Committee on Government Reform for moving this legislation very, 
very fast.
  The Honorable Joel T. Broyhill was elected to Congress in 1952 and 
began his career in the service in the House as a Republican Member in 
1953 in the 83rd Congress. I can still remember looking down and seeing 
Congressman Broyhill as he served here on the floor for so many years.
  Born in Hopewell, Virginia, on November 4, 1919, Joel Broyhill served 
22 years as a representative of the 10th Congressional District. He was 
the first Member of Congress to represent the newly created 10th. He 
began his congressional career and service as a member, as the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) said, of the House Committee on 
Post Office and Civil Service and the District of Columbia, and later 
became a member of the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means.
  Constituent services, assisting people he represented, was the 
cornerstone of Joel Broyhill's service in Congress. According to the 
Almanac of American Politics in 1972, and I quote, they said, ``There 
were few offices that took care of constituents' needs and complaints 
with more efficiency.'' Congressman Broyhill estimated that he aided 
more than 100,000 10th Congressional District residents in his 20-plus 
year service in office. The almanac also describes Congressman Broyhill 
as a Member of Congress and says that he ``should be credited with 
voting his conscience.''
  Congressman Broyhill is a decorated veteran and for 4 years served 
bravely, along with thousands of other young American soldiers, in 
World War II as a captain in the 106th Infantry Division. At the age of 
25, Captain Broyhill fought in one of the most decisive and costly 
conflicts in World War II, the famous, the infamous, the Battle of the 
Bulge. He was taken prisoner and held in a German POW camp until he 
heroically escaped and was able to rejoin advancing allied forces.
  Congressman Broyhill has dedicated most of his life to serving his 
country in both war and peace, in public and in a military capacity. 
His commitment and his devotion to public service is deserving of 
recognition, and it is appropriate that the postal building at 3409 Lee 
Highway in Merrifield, Virginia, be renamed in his honor. He also loved 
this body and loved this House, and I appreciate the fact that the 
House has honored him with this.
  Congressman Broyhill is the father of three daughters, one step-
daughter and resides today in Arlington, Virginia.
  Mr. Speaker, the entire Virginia congressional delegation has 
sponsored this legislation today, and we join in asking our colleagues 
to vote in support of H.R. 3699 to honor former Congressman Joel T. 
Broyhill through the naming of the Joel T. Broyhill Postal Building in 
Merrifield, Virginia.
  I would also like to announce that Senator Warner has introduced 
identical legislation in the Senate where we hope it goes for a quick 
passage.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me this time, the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Fattah).
  Mr. Speaker, it is entirely appropriate that we name the central post 
office facility in Merrifield, Virginia, after Joel Broyhill. Mr. 
Broyhill served Arlington County and Fairfax County and Northern 
Virginia extraordinarily well during his long public career. It was a 
transitional period during those days and Mr. Broyhill earned a 
reputation for excellent service to his constituency, particularly 
Federal workers.
  A native of Hopewell, Virginia, this distinguished gentleman attended 
public schools, graduated from Fork Union Military Academy, and then, 
upon completion of his studies at George Washington University, 
enlisted in the Army.
  The gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) and the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Wolf) have described his courage and valor. He escaped 
the German forces after the Battle of the Bulge and then rejoined 
advancing American forces. After his distinguished career in the 
military ended, he did not end his public service. After concluding his 
military career, he resumed real estate pursuits but then ran for 
Congress.
  His base was his long service with the Arlington County Chamber of 
Congress, the County Planning Commission in Arlington, and then served 
for 22 years in the United States Congress. He was a vigilant advocate 
for Federal workers. He served his country well. As the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Wolf) has said, he was credited with always voting his 
conscience.
  It is entirely appropriate, Mr. Speaker, that we recognize his 
commitment and devotion to public service by naming this central post 
office in his honor.
  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to 
rise today to honor Mr. Joel T. Broyhill. I am proud to be a co-sponsor 
along with my colleagues from Northern Virginia, Congressmen Frank Wolf 
and Jom Moran, of H.R. 3699, designating that the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 3409 Lee Highway in Merrifield, 
Virginia, to be known as ``Joel T. Broyhill Postal Building.'' Mr. 
Broyhill has served a distinguished career in the United States Army 
and as a Representative from Virginia's 10th Congressional District.
  Born in Hopewell, Virginia, November 1919, the Honorable Joel 
Broyhill was first elected to the Eighty-third Congress in 1952 as a 
Republican and served for 22 years as representative of the 10th 
Congressional District. He was the first elected representative of the 
newly created district. He served as a member of the House Committee on 
Post Office and Civil Service, and a committee nearest to my heart, the 
Committee on the District of Columbia and the Committee on Ways and 
Means.
  Congressman Broyhill, a decorated veteran, served four years in World 
War II as a Captain in the 106th Infantry Division. At age 25, he 
fought in the ``Battle of the Bulge'' and was held captive in a German 
POW camp until he heroically escaped and made his way back to the 
advancing Allied armies.
  The Honorable Joel Broyhill has dedicated his life to serving his 
country in both the military and as a public official. The Almanac of 
American Politics stated that Congressman Broyhill ``should be credited 
by voting his conscience.'' His commitment and dedication to public 
service is deserving of recognition, and it is appropriate that the 
postal building at 3409 Lee Highway in Merrifield, Virginia.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor such a man as Joel 
Broyhill. He was ably served his country and community. I know my 
colleagues join me in honoring and thanking Joel for his many years of 
dedicated service to the people of Virginia's 10th Congressional 
District.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I would simply urge all our Members to 
support this very worthy piece of legislation honoring an equally 
worthy individual.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.

[[Page H944]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Stearns). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3699.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  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.

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