[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 30, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H7375-H7379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  NORMAN SISISKY POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2910) to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 3131 South Crater Road in 
Petersburg, Virginia, as the ``Norman Sisisky Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2910

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

     SECTION 1. NORMAN SISISKY POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 3131 South Crater Road in Petersburg, 
     Virginia, shall be known and designated as the ``Norman 
     Sisisky Post Office 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 Norman Sisisky Post Office Building.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Moran) 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, H.R. 2910.
  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. 2910. I commend my good 
friend and fellow Virginian, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes), 
for introducing this measure to honor his distinguished predecessor, 
the late Congressman Norman Sisisky.
  H.R. 2910 honors Norman Sisisky's service to his district, his State 
and his country by designating the post office located at 3131 South 
Crater Road in Petersburg, Virginia as the ``Norman Sisisky Post Office 
Building.'' This bill has the strong support of all Members of the 
Virginia delegation.
  Although born in Baltimore, Maryland, Norman Sisisky grew up in 
Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University 
in 1949. Following a brief stint in the Navy, he became president of 
the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Petersburg, Virginia. Under his 
leadership, that company became one of the largest soft drink bottling 
operations in the South.
  From 1973 to 1982, Norman served in the Virginia House of Delegates. 
In 1982, he was elected to the House of Representatives where he served 
until his untimely death in March of this year. During his 18 years on 
Capitol Hill, Norman Sisisky compiled a moderate voting record. In 
fact, he was one of the first members of the conservative Blue Dog 
Coalition.
  He often worked across the aisle to achieve what he believed best for 
the American people. Few were more effective, especially in matters of 
national defense. He was the second ranking Democrat on the Committee 
on Armed Services and was widely praised for his devotion to military 
and defense issues.
  Among the other numerous highlights of his distinguished career was 
the passage of a balanced budget.
  Mr. Speaker, Norman Sisisky left many friends and admirers in this 
House. He has been rightly remembered as a bridge between the parties 
and for his sense of humor. I urge all Member to support this important 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a former Member of the Committee on Government 
Reform, I am very happy to join my colleague in the consideration of 
H.R. 2910, introduced by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes). It 
has met the committee co-sponsorship requirement and is supported by 
the entire Virginia Congressional delegation.
  Norman grew up in Richmond, Virginia, served honorably in the Navy 
during World War II. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth 
University, became a successful businessman as president of the Pepsi-
Cola Bottling Company of Petersburg where he lead what was a small 
business to one of the largest and most profitable in the South.
  Norm Sisisky served in Virginia's General Assembly representing 
Petersburg, Virginia. After serving five terms in the assembly, he was 
elected to U.S. Congress where he represented Virginia's Fourth 
Congressional District until his untimely death in March of this year.
  Norman Sisisky served as a senior member of the Committee on Armed 
Services and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Military 
Procurement. He was always a strong defender and advocate of the armed 
services, and I know he will be particularly missed in that area. He 
already has been.
  He was a member of the Subcommittee on Military Readiness and the 
Panel on Military Morale, Welfare and Recreation. He knew the 
importance of maintaining a strong military. He will always be 
remembered for standing behind our military families and veterans. He 
was also one of the most effective advocates in Congress for a strong 
Navy, particularly, and its ship building program at Newport News. 
Throughout his career in public service, he helped in a substantial way 
in making our military second to none.
  Norm Sisisky was a hard-working colleague and a dedicated public 
servant. I think we should also say he was, too, a very witty, urbane 
and engaging friend to so many of us. And in addition to his public 
service, we miss his friendship. He leaves a great legacy to the people 
of Virginia and to our entire Nation.
  I commend my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes), and 
all of the Virginia Congressional Delegation. And it is not just 
confined to Virginia. We have the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) 
speaking. It should be said that Norm was one of the best-liked Members 
of this body. I urge swift passage of this bill, and I trust it will be 
unanimous. This is one small way of remembering Norm Sisisky.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my 
time to the distinguished sponsor of this bill, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Forbes), and I ask unanimous consent that he be permitted 
to control that time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of our former 
colleagues, Norman Sisisky, the late Congressman from the Fourth 
District of Virginia.
  Congressman Sisisky passed away earlier this year having lived a rich 
life of public service and loving commitment to his family. He served 
his Nation during World War II as a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He went 
on to serve Virginia in the House of Delegates for 8 years. During his 
tenure there, his dedication to improving the lives of children earned 
him the Outstanding Service to Children in Virginia Award in 1978. He 
served the citizens of both the Commonwealth and the Nation by 
representing the people of Virginia's Fourth District for more than 18 
years in the United States Congress.
  Norman Sisisky was well respected by Members from both sides of the 
aisle, gaining a reputation as a personable man with a keen interest in 
and knowledge of national security issues. In fact, he is best 
remembered for his service on the Committee on Armed Services where he 
helped to shepherd through years of bipartisan legislation to improve 
the lives of men and women who wear the uniform that he once wore.
  Norman Sisisky was a life-long Virginian, born in Richmond and later 
settling nearby in Petersburg.
  He attended college at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he 
earned a degree in business administration. He built an outstanding 
career in soft drink bottling as president and owner of the Pepsi-Cola 
Bottling Company of Petersburg and chairman of

[[Page H7376]]

the board of the National Soft Drink Association.
  Norman and his wife, Rhoda, had four sons and later seven 
grandchildren. They are a living and gracious legacy to Norman's life, 
just as the work he did here is a legacy to his career in public 
service.
  Today, we join together to recognize those legacies by dedicating the 
facility of the United States postal service at 3131 South Crater Road 
in Petersburg, Virginia, as the Norman Sisisky Post Office Building. 
Though he spent much time in Washington and traveling the fourth 
district to represent his constituents, his home was in Petersburg; and 
it is fitting that this building bear his name.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), the 
Speaker; the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), the majority leader; and 
the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the chairman of the Committee 
on Government Reform, for helping to bring this tribute to the floor so 
quickly; and I would like to thank my colleagues, particularly in the 
Virginia delegation, for joining me as cosponsors of this resolution 
and for speaking on its behalf on the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and 
honor the memory of the late Congressman Norman Sisisky.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may want 
to consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), Norman's next 
door neighbor.
  Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding the time.
  It is with great pleasure that I rise in support of H.R. 2910, to 
designate a post office in honor of my friend and distinguished 
colleague, the late Norman Sisisky.
  President John F. Kennedy once said: ``A Nation reveals itself not 
only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it 
remembers.'' While the news of Norman's death was met by great sadness 
by all of those who knew him, the legacy of his life and his 
accomplishments are to be acknowledged, revered and celebrated.
  I knew Norman for almost 25 years. For 5 of those years, we served 
together in the Virginia House of Delegates. We served together here in 
the House of Representatives for over 8 years. During that time, I had 
the honor to represent a district adjacent to his in southeast 
Virginia. The proximity of our districts allowed us to work side by 
side on many issues; and as a result, we became close, and our staffs 
in Washington and our district offices also became close associates.
  The Fourth Congressional District, all of Virginia, the entire 
Nation, were all well served by Norman's leadership on the House 
Committee on Armed Services. He was the ranking member on the 
Subcommittee on Military Procurement and also served as a member of the 
Subcommittee on Military Readiness and Subcommittee on Morale, Welfare 
and Recreation. He worked diligently to ensure that our Nation's 
military was second to none.
  Due to his efforts, Newport News Shipbuilding has remained a world 
leader; and we have been able to continue to excel in nuclear aircraft 
carrier and submarine construction.
  When Virginia's military facilities came under threat of being closed 
during the base closings of the 1990s, Congressman Sisisky successfully 
protected Fort Lee, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and other bases in Virginia 
that have been critical to the readiness of our Armed Forces.
  Mr. Speaker, it is, therefore, fitting that a private man that worked 
so tirelessly behind the scenes, without the need for fanfare and 
accolades, should now be honored today as the Norman Sisisky Post 
Office serves the public. We will be reminded of his driving spirit and 
tireless commitment to public service.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. 
With this designation of a post office in honor of Norman Sisisky, we 
will say a job well done.
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to my distinguished 
colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf).
  (Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia 
(Mr. Forbes) for bringing this legislation to the floor of the House.
  It is very appropriate that we honor Congressman Norman Sisisky, who 
will always be remembered as a true gentleman, a dedicated public 
servant. He was a good person. He was a good father. He was a good 
husband, and in the delegation we could not have been closer.
  I see the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran); and I would ask the 
gentleman if he remembers at our delegation lunches, it was Norman that 
would always make us laugh, that would always have that witty comment 
and somebody who could reach across the aisle in a way that really very 
few Members can.
  His public service career began when he was elected, as was said, a 
member of the House of Delegates in 1973 representing Petersburg. He 
served for five terms in the Virginia General Assembly before being 
elected to Congress in 1982, and it was when I first met him.
  Norman, like another of our late Virginia colleagues, Herb Bateman, 
was a senior member on the House Committee on Armed Services. In fact, 
he and Bateman, Sisisky and Bateman, worked hand in glove on so many 
issues with regard to their portion of the State and so many issues 
with regard to the national defense. From their vantage point, they 
both were protectors of our national security. Norman was the ranking 
member of the Subcommittee on Military Procurement and also served on 
the Subcommittee on Military Readiness and the Panel on Morale, 
Welfare, and Recreation. The American men and women in the military had 
no finer friend than Norman Sisisky. No matter what their rank, from 
the lowest rank to the highest rank, Norman was their friend.
  Also, Norman was instrumental in working to get the funding to build 
the newest aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, which was recently 
christened.
  He worked tirelessly as an advocate for production of shipbuilding to 
strengthen our national defense, and it is appropriate that we honor 
his dedication to improving our defense and intelligence resources, 
especially in light of recent events with regard to what is taking 
place in the country.
  This Congress is honoring a very faithful servant and a wonderful 
man. Our lives have been forever enriched by having Norman Sisisky as 
our friend and colleague. Norman lived his life to the fullest. He had 
a great time, great sense of humor. He was hardworking and friendly and 
was a Member who truly worked in a bipartisan way by reaching across 
the aisle to work in the best interests of America. It was a privilege 
to work with Norman for 18 years and to work with him in the Virginia 
delegation on issues of importance, not only to the State of Virginia 
but to the Nation.

                              {time}  1545

  Norm Sisisky's commitment and devotion to public service is deserving 
of recognition and it is appropriate that the postal building at 3131 
South Crater Road in Petersburg, Virginia, be renamed in his honor.
  Again, I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes) for 
bringing this to the floor, and let Norman know, as he is I am sure 
watching somewhere, that we do miss him very, very much.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleagues on the Government Reform 
Committee in bringing this legislation to the floor to designate a U.S. 
postal building in Petersburg, Virginia, to honor the late Congressman 
Norman Sisisky, who served Virginia's Fourth Congressional district for 
nine terms.
  It is appropriate that we honor Congressman Sisisky, who will always 
be remembered as a true gentleman and dedicated public servant.
  Norman Sisisky was born June 9, 1927, and graduated from John 
Marshall High in Richmond, Virginia. He joined the Navy after high 
school and served through World War II until 1946. He graduated from 
Virginia Commonwealth University in 1949 with a degree in business 
administration.
  Norm's work as a public official was undoubtedly strengthened by his 
success in the private sector. After graduating he transformed a small 
Pepsi bottling company in Petersburg, Virginia, into a highly 
successful distributor of soft drinks throughout Southside Virginia.

[[Page H7377]]

  His public service career began when he was elected as delegate to 
the Virginia House of Delegates in 1973 representing Petersburg. He 
served five terms in the Virginia General Assembly before being elected 
to Congress in 1982.
  Norman, like another of our late Virginia colleagues, Herb Bateman, 
was a senior member on the House Armed Services Committee and from that 
vantage point was a protector of our national security. He was the 
ranking member of the subcommittee on military procurement, and also 
served on the subcommittee on military readiness and the panel on 
morale, welfare, and recreation.
  Before his untimely passing this past March, he had been appointed to 
the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Norman was also a 
member of the ``Blue Dog'' coalition in the 104th through the 107th 
Congresses and led bipartisan efforts through that work. Norman was 
instrumental in working to get funding to build the newest aircraft 
carrier, USS Ronald Reagan, which was recently christened.
  He worked tirelessly as an advocate for production of shipbuilding 
and strengthening our national defense. It is appropriate that we honor 
his dedication to improving our defense and intelligence resources, 
especially in light of recent events and our new attention to these 
priorities.
  He presented with pride Virginia's Fourth Congressional District in 
the southeastern corner of the Commonwealth, the home of the First 
Permanent English Settlement in North America, and today the home of 
one of the largest concentrations of military power in the world.
  This Congress is honoring a faithful servant and wonderful man, and 
our lives are forever enriched for having had Norman Sisisky as our 
friend and colleague. Norman lived his life to the fullest. He was 
hard-working and friendly and he was a member who truly worked in a 
bipartisan way. He reached across the aisle to work for the best 
interests of America. It was a privilege to serve with him the over 18 
years he was in Congress and to work with him in the Virginia 
delegation on issues of importance to our state and union.
  Congressman Sisisky's commitment and devotion to public service is 
deserving of recognition, and it is appropriate that the postal 
building at 131 South Crater Road in Petersburg, Virginia, he renamed 
in his honor. I urge our colleagues to join me in supporting this 
legislation to honor his former member for his dedicated public 
service.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the honorable and very distinguished gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Hoyer).
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I was elected to the House in 1981 in a 
special election. I came here in early June, so I had been here some 18 
months before Norm Sisisky was sworn in in January of 1983 to the House 
of Representatives. But because Virginia and Maryland are members of 
the same organizational region for our caucus, and because Norm and I 
had a number of interests in common, we became very good friends. I am 
pleased, therefore, to rise on behalf of this legislation.
  This legislation, of course, will pass unanimously, as it should. It 
is appropriate that the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes) introduced 
this resolution to honor his predecessor. They come from different 
parties, but they come from the same State, the same region, and the 
same district, and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes) knows full 
well of the affection and respect with which Mr. Sisisky was held in 
his district.
  Norm Sisisky, some of my colleagues may not know, was born in 
Baltimore, Maryland, in 1927. His parents had come from Lithuania; 
emigrated to this country. When Norm was a very young boy, his family 
moved to Virginia. He grew up in Richmond and, after he graduated from 
high school, he enlisted in the Navy for the final years of World War 
II. He was very young. He enlisted at almost his first opportunity, as 
soon as he graduated from high school.
  After completing his naval service, Norm graduated from Virginia 
Commonwealth University. History would prove that his service to the 
Navy in World War II did not end until his death, for the Navy had no 
better friend than Norm Sisisky. Indeed, the Armed Services of America, 
the defense of our Nation, the defense of freedom throughout this world 
had no better friend nor more tenacious supporter than Norm Sisisky.
  When he graduated from college and completed his naval service, he 
entered into the soft drink bottling distribution business. He bought a 
small distribution plant that he then built into a giant distribution 
plant and was so respected by his colleagues that he became the 
President of the National Soft Drink Association.
  Norm Sisisky was a man of faith, active in his synagogue and in many 
Jewish organizations. Indeed, he served as president of his 
congregation. Norm and his wife, the former Rhoda Brown, had four sons, 
Mark, Terry, Richard and Stuart, and seven grandchildren. Norm and 
Rhoda were and are extraordinarily proud of those four sons and those 
seven grandchildren, and I know they will be proud to point to this 
post office that will be named for Norm Sisisky.
  By the way, let me, as an aside, make a suggestion. The first bill 
that I passed as a Member of this House was to name the District 
Heights Post Office for E. Michael Roll, who had been the mayor of the 
town in which I lived for over 20 years. And I can remember as a young 
kid, the town was small enough that the mayor would get on you if you 
were not riding your bike in the proper place or he saw you throw an 
ice cream wrapper on the street or something of that nature. Mr. Roll 
had recently died, and I was so pleased to introduce a bill to honor 
him by naming the post office after him.
  When they went out to the District Heights Post Office, and this is 
what I want my Virginia friends to hear, they were going to take off 
the words ``United States Post Office.'' The post office had proposed 
putting E. Michael Roll's name in place of United States. I told them 
that E. Michael Roll would roll over in his grave if he knew his name 
was replacing the name of the country that he loved so deeply.
  So I would suggest that perhaps rather than name this post office the 
Norm Sisisky Post Office Building, that we name it the Norm Sisisky 
United States Post Office as the official name of the place.
  But to get back to Norm Sisisky, although we are talking about an 
appropriate act which need not be debated, we are talking about an 
individual whom this body is poorer for having lost. Born on June 9, 
1927, he died on March 29 of this year. He died too soon. It could be 
said, of course, that perhaps all of us die too soon, but we 
particularly miss Norm Sisisky who was an expert on not only national 
defense but on national intelligence. He served on our Permanent Select 
Committee on Intelligence.
  He was a quiet man, not bombastic, not rhetorical, not subject to 
self-aggrandizement or self-promotion. He was a man of substance. He 
was a man of commitment. He was a man of great intellect. He was a man 
of great energy. And he worked extraordinarily hard to make sure that 
America was strong, that we tended to our military, and that we made 
sure our intelligence was the best that it could be. How deeply in this 
time of trouble that confronts America today do we miss Norm Sisisky.
  I am proud to rise on behalf of this legislation because, as was 
quoted earlier in talking about Ben Franklin and quoting John Kennedy, 
a nation is known by the men and women that it honors. It is absolutely 
appropriate that we honor Norm Sisisky; that we lament his loss, but 
glory in the service that he gave to this institution and to this 
country that he loved.
  I ask all of us, as we vote on this legislation later today, to 
remember that contribution and perhaps to once again send a note or 
make a call to Rhoda and tell her we share her loss, not as poignantly, 
not as personally, but as his colleagues we share her loss, the loss of 
her sons, the loss of the grandchildren, and the loss of the great 
Commonwealth of Virginia.
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock).
  Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time, and it is my pleasure to rise today in support of H.R. 2910, 
being brought to us by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes), which 
will honor our good friend Congressman Norm Sisisky.
  The location of the post office in Petersburg, Virginia, bearing 
Norm's name is quite fitting. Norm represented the people of Petersburg 
for almost 28 years, as a member of the Virginia General Assembly for 
10 years,

[[Page H7378]]

and as a member of this body representing Virginia's Fourth 
Congressional District from 1983 until earlier this year.
  Congressman Sisisky served America in World War II and brought this 
experience to Congress. Norm became a senior member of the House 
Committee on Armed Services where he became a champion of our military 
and veterans issues. Norm was the ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Military Procurement and also served on the Morale, Welfare and 
Recreation Panel. He took the lead in protecting Virginia's naval and 
military facilities and was an ardent defender of our national defense, 
but worked at the same time to ensure that military spending decisions 
strike the proper balance between strategic necessity and fiscal 
prudence.
  His record of distinguished service to our country and to the people 
of the Commonwealth of Virginia demonstrates to us all his commitment 
to the values and principles of freedom and public service. This 
facility we are naming today will remind us of his dedication to our 
country and to the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I urge my colleagues 
to support this legislation.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member rises today to express his 
very strong support for H.R. 2910, the Norman Sisisky Post Office 
Building Designation Act of 2001, which designates the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 3131 South Crater Road in 
Petersburg, Virginia, as the ``Norman Sisisky Post Office Building.''
  This Member would like to thank the main sponsor of H.R. 2910, the 
distinguished gentleman from Virginia [Rep. Randy Forbes]; the rest of 
the Virginia congressional delegation; the Chairman of the House 
Committee on Government Reform the distinguished gentleman from Indiana 
[Mr. Dan Burton]; and the Ranking Member of the Committee, the 
distinguished gentleman from California [Mr. Henry Waxman] for their 
instrumental role in bringing H.R. 2910 to the House Floor.
  Mr. Speaker, the late Congressman Sisisky was in many ways bigger 
than life--he lived life to the fullest, worked as hard as any Member 
in this body, and always enjoyed his family and friends. We can all 
take great pride in the kind of person Norm was, and in his many 
important contributions to not only the State of Virginia, but also the 
United States as a whole. As many of you probably know, this Member 
traveled with Congressman Sisisky frequently on NATO Parliamentary 
Assembly (NATO PA) matters and to the annual Munich Conference on 
Security Policy (previously known as the Munich Wehrkunde Conference). 
In fact, Norm Sisisky participated in the Munich Conference on Security 
Policy longer than any sitting Member of the House and served as this 
Member's Democrat co-leader of the House delegation to this conference 
in February of this year.
  This Member can still recall Norm's remarks during a NATO PA meeting 
where a discussion of the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), 
European burden sharing and the need for Europe to meet its own NATO 
military commitments brought Norm to his feet with the simple words of 
``Show me the money.'' He went on to explain that while he was 
supportive of ESDP, his support was conditional on the need for our 
European NATO allies to increase their own defense budgets to meet not 
only ESDP requirements, but more importantly their NATO requirements. 
The House NATO PA delegation was certainly proud of Norm Sisisky's 
blunt and forceful remarks, as Norm Sisisky wasn't one for beating 
around the bush nor for talking just to talk--when Norm spoke we all 
listened.
  This was just one of the many examples of Norm Sisisky's keen 
knowledge of national defense matters and his forceful personality. 
This Member had great respect and appreciation for him as a person and 
as a congressional colleague. He was one of this Member's favorite 
people and we all miss him greatly! Therefore, this Member supports the 
naming of the Post Office Building in Petersburg, Virginia, the 
``Norman Sisisky Post Office Building''. It certainly is a honor well-
deserved which this Member strongly urges his colleagues to support.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to my friend and colleague from Virginia, Norm Sisisky, who served this 
body with dignity, honor and extreme dedication since 1983.
  Norm was a true gentleman and a great patriot. I will never forget 
his kind and valuable tutelage when I first came to Congress, nor will 
I forget how he demonstrated to all of us the importance of caring more 
about doing good than getting credit. He certainly earned his 
reputation as a hard worker and skilled negotiator.
  The son of Lithuanian immigrants, Norm was born in Baltimore. The 
family moved during the Depression to Richmond, Virginia where he grew 
up. Upon graduating from John Marshall High School, he enlisted in the 
Navy during World War II, serving through the end of 1946. Norm 
described himself as a self-made businessman, turning a local soft-
drink company into one of the most successful Pepsi-Cola 
distributorships in the country at the time.
  During his ten years in Congress, Norm secured committee assignments 
that paid great dividends to the residents and businesses in his 
district. He played a leading role in reforming the Defense 
Department's financial management system and worked tirelessly to 
preserve the nuclear shipbuilding industrial base so vital to 
employment rates in the Hampton Roads area. His was the proper and 
responsible balance: Protect Virginia's military facilities, but also 
make sure that military spending decisions are fiscally prudent and 
fair to taxpayers nationwide. He worked tirelessly in the Congress to 
improve procurement practices and streamline government to make it more 
effective and efficient.
  Mr. Speaker, I continue to mourn the loss of Norm Sisisky as a friend 
and a colleague. Norm lived his life with exuberance and passion for 
serving his beloved Virginia. He was a true leader on behalf of all 
Virginians and Americans, and as a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, he 
worked across partisan divides, searching for the common good. I ask 
all of my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation, which 
will ensure that Norm Sisisky's contributions to his community will be 
remembered for generations to come.
  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2910, the 
Norman Sisisky Post Office Building Designation Act. I am honored today 
to pay tribute to Norman Sisisky, who was a colleague and familiar 
figure in Virginia politics for many years. It is fitting and proper 
that we should honor Norman today on the floor of this House where he 
acted so honorably as a public servant since he was elected to Congress 
in 1982 until his death earlier this year.
  Norman Sisisky spent a lifetime serving Virginia and the United 
States, and we are all deeply indebted to this distinguished Virginia 
gentleman. Norman first displayed his love for this country when he 
enlisted in the Navy as a young man during World War II. His time in 
the Navy, though short, left a lasting impression and he never forgot 
that we must diligently tend to the needs of the men and women serving 
in the military.
  At the conclusion of the war, he became a successful businessman and 
well known throughout the business community for transforming a small 
bottling company into a highly successful soft drink distributor. His 
business background and creative thinking proved invaluable when he 
later decided to enter elective politics. Norman served in the Virginia 
General Assembly for several years before being elected to the House of 
Representatives in 1982. Here in Washington, Norman was known as a 
staunch defender of our national security and worked tirelessly on 
behalf of the men and women who serve our nation in the military.
  Norman was particularly effective in building coalitions in support 
for key programs and reaching across the aisle on matters of importance 
to Virginians. From ensuring adequate funding for aircraft carriers and 
submarines to modernizing our weapons systems, he was an ardent voice 
on the Armed Services Committee and an ally of every person who wears 
the uniform of the United States.
  In his District, and throughout Virginia, his reputation as an 
outstanding Member of Congress was unparalleled. His legacy of 
constituent service, consensus building and selfless service is a model 
for all Members of Congress.
  The people of the Fourth District, the Commonwealth of Virginia and 
the United States of America have truly benefited from his dedicated 
service and at this time of national crisis his military mind and 
Congressional experience are sorely missed. Norman was successful in 
every aspect of his life and we rightly dedicate this post office in 
his memory today.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). 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. 2910.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.

[[Page H7379]]

  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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