[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 16, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H6823-H6824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         FRANCIS BARDANOUVE UNITED STATES POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2876) to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located in Harlem, Montana as the 
``Francis Bardanouve United States Post Office Building.''
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2876

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

     SECTION 1. FRANCIS BARDANOUVE UNITED STATES POST OFFICE 
                   BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 216 2nd Street, S.W. in Harlem, Montana, 
     shall be designated and known as the ``Francis Bardanouve 
     United States Post Office Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     United State Post Office referred to in subsection (a) shall 
     be deemed to be a reference to the ``Francis Bardanouve 
     United States Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann 
Davis).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on the bill now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2876. This legislation, 
introduced by our distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Montana 
(Mr. Rehberg), designates the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 216 2nd Street, Southwest, in Harlem, Montana, as 
the Francis Bardanouve Post Office Building.
  Francis Bardanouve was a Montana State Representative from 1958 to 
1994. He chaired the powerful House Committee on Appropriations for 
nearly 2 decades. His integrity and respect from his colleagues 
transcended party lines. He was a longtime farmer-rancher in Blaine 
County, Montana.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of H.R. 2876, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, 
I am pleased to join my colleague, the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. 
Jo Ann Davis), in consideration of this postal naming legislation, H.R. 
2876, which names a Post Office in Harlem, Montana after Francis 
Bardanouve, which was introduced by the gentleman from Montana (Mr. 
Rehberg) on September 10, 2001.
  Francis Bardanouve represented Harlem, Montana for 36 years, most 
notably as chairman of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations. 
He was labeled a conservative Democrat who began his career in the 
Montana Legislature House of Representatives in 1959, serving until his 
retirement a few years ago. I want to thank the gentleman from Montana 
(Mr. Rehberg) for introducing this measure, and I would certainly urge 
swift passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he 
may consume to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg), the sponsor of 
the bill.
  Mr. REHBERG. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking my colleagues from 
the Committee on Government Reform for favorably reporting this piece 
of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Committee on 
Government Reform and the ranking member for expediting House 
Resolution 2876 that designates the Post Office building in Harlem, 
Montana as the Francis Bardanouve Post Office. I also thank the 
majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), for scheduling 
this bill today.
  It is important that from time to time we honor individuals within 
the circle of our communities, those whose lives quietly reflect the 
best that all of us reach for. Francis Bardanouve is such a person.
  Francis's distinguished record in the Montana House of 
Representatives spanned 5 decades. When his career began in 1959, 
Dwight Eisenhower was President and George W. Bush was just another 12-
year-old boy in Midland, Texas.

                              {time}  1645

  Francis was born, raised, educated in Blaine County, Montana. His 
roots entwine back to a Prussian bandmaster on one side of his family 
and a French farmer on the other. Besides serving actively as a 
legislator, Francis has worked hard his whole life as a farmer, a 
rancher, a husband, and a father.
  Having had the privilege of serving three sessions with Francis in 
the Montana House, I can sum up his public service simply: common sense 
and compassion. He was both tight-fisted and kindhearted. As a long-
serving Democrat chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, 
Francis said, ``I voted against things I'd like to support. I left 
frustrated at times because there were things I'd like to do, but we 
didn't have the money.''
  Former Montana Governor Ted Schwinden reaffirms this by stating: 
``Francis was more parsimonious with the taxpayers' dollar than any 
other chairman over the years.''

[[Page H6824]]

  When Francis announced his retirement in 1999, the Montana House of 
Representatives passed a resolution honoring him and designating a 
``Francis Bardanouve Appreciation Day.''
  This resolution aptly stated: ``Francis Bardanouve has never sought 
personal distinction or reward, but has had his leadership role cast 
upon him . . . The strong hands of Francis Bardanouve have played a 
major role in shaping the destiny of Montana.''
  By designating the Harlem, Montana Post Office the ``Francis 
Bardanouve Post Office,'' we honor not only a good Montanan who quietly 
did his duty for many years, but we pay tribute to all those who 
honorably serve their community and this country day after day without 
expecting praise.
  Public officials come and go, but Francis, please know that your 
deeds and service will remain forever engraved in the archives of our 
Nation, the post office in your community, and the hearts of your 
family and friends.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge strong support of House Resolution 2876, and I 
include for the Record a news article regarding this legislation.
  The article referred to is as follows:

              [From the Independent Record, Apr. 15, 1993]

                 Lawmaker Honored for Years of Service

                             (By Bob Anez)

       Rep. Francis Bardanouve bowed his head and blushed 
     Wednesday as he listened to a half-hour tribute from the 
     Montana House commemorating his 34 years as a state lawmaker.
       ``It's almost overwhelming,'' he told legislators after 
     hearing praise about his efforts during three decades in the 
     House. ``Whatever I have done is what you helped me do.''
       Bardanouve, a Harlem Democrat, was first elected to the 
     Legislature in 1958 and has served as chairman of the 
     powerful House Appropriations Committee in 10 sessions.
       He will not run for re-election next year because the newly 
     drawn legislative districts prevent him from seeking his 
     current seat.
       Gov. Marc Racicot read a proclamation declaring Wednesday 
     ``Francis Bardanouve Day.''
       The document lauded Bardanouve for faithfully and 
     diligently serving the interests of the people in his 
     district and the state. It calls Bardanouve a ``living 
     institution.''
       The House unanimously approved a resolution honoring 
     Bardanouve's years of service and branding him ``one of the 
     Treasure State's living treasures.''
       The measure cites his sense of fairness, willingness to 
     listen and ability to make informed decisions.
       ``Francis Bardanouve has always faced the legislative 
     challenge with energy, wisdom, keen wit and a dedication to 
     the common good,'' the resolution says. ``Francis Bardanouve 
     has never sought personal distinction or reward, but has had 
     his leadership role cast upon him.''
       The resolution calls him a believer in equality, fairness 
     and integrity, and adds, ``The strong hands of Francis 
     Bardanouve have played a major role in shaping the destiny of 
     Montana.''
       Several former and present lawmakers who have sat next to 
     Bardanouve over the years recalled their sessions with the 
     Harlem farmer.
       Speaker John Mercer, a Polson Republican who was 2 years 
     old when Bardanouve first became a legislator, advised him, 
     ``Take great pride in your accomplishments.
       ``This House will always belong to you Francis,'' he added.

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I once again want to commend the gentleman for honoring 
such an outstanding individual by naming a post office after former 
Representative Bardanouve.
  I also want to thank him for educating many of us who did not know 
that there was a Harlem, Montana. Generally, when we think of Harlem, 
we think of New York. So we thank the gentleman on both counts.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to 
support this measure, H.R. 2876, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Quinn). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2876.
  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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