[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H10363-H10364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR PLACEMENT OF PLAQUE HONORING DR. JAMES HARVEY EARLY IN 
            THE WILLIAMSBURG, KENTUCKY, POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1714) to provide for the 
installation of a plaque to honor Dr. James Harvey Early in the 
Williamsburg, Kentucky, Post Office Building.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 1714

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

     SECTION 1. INSTALLATION OF PLAQUE TO HONOR DR. JAMES HARVEY 
                   EARLY.

       (a) In General.--The United States Postmaster General shall 
     install a plaque to honor Dr. James Harvey Early in the 
     Williamsburg, Kentucky Post Office Building located at 1000 
     North Highway 23 West, Williamsburg, Kentucky 40769.
       (b) Contents of Plaque.--The plaque installed under 
     subsection (a) shall contain the following text:
       ``Dr. James Harvey Early was born on June 14, 1808 in Knox 
     County, Kentucky. He was appointed postmaster of the first 
     United States Post Office that was opened in the town of 
     Whitley Courthouse, now Williamsburg, Kentucky in 1829. In 
     1844 he served in the Kentucky Legislature. Dr. Early married 
     twice, first to Frances Ann Hammond, died 1860; and then to 
     Rebecca Cummins Sammons, died 1914. Dr. Early died at home in 
     Rockhold, Kentucky on May 24, 1885 at the age of 77.''.

  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 S. 1714.
  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, Senate 1714, sponsored by Senator Mitch McConnell, would 
install a plague to honor Dr. James Harvey Early in the Williamsburg, 
Kentucky, Post Office.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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 my colleague in the House consideration of S. 1714, which places a 
plague in the Post Office in Williamsburg, Kentucky, honoring Dr. James 
Harvey Early. This measure was introduced by Senator Mitch McConnell on 
November 5, 2001.
  Dr. James Harvey Early was born on June 4, 1808, in Knox County, 
Kentucky. He was appointed postmaster of the first United States Post 
Office that was opened in the town of Whitley Courthouse, now 
Williamsburg, Kentucky, in 1829. In 1844 he served in the Kentucky 
legislature.
  Dr. Early died at home in Rockhold, Kentucky, on May 24, 1885, at the 
age of 77. He represents the significance of individuals who have made 
a tremendous impact on the development of our community for many, many 
years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleague and urge swift passage of this 
resolution.
  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 
1714, a bill to provide for the installation of a plaque in the 
Williamsburg Kentucky Post Office Building to honor Dr. James Harvey 
Early.
  Kentucky was one of the first frontiers, marked with rugged terrain 
and harsh conditions. In this challenging frontier land, Dr. Early 
helped shape his community through his

[[Page H10364]]

many years of service. Born in Knox County, Kentucky in 1808, the young 
James Early served as the first Postmaster for the community of Whitley 
Courthouse, now known as Williamsburg, Kentucky. He went on to serve 
the community in the Kentucky State Legislature as a member of the Whig 
party in 1844 at the same time that he maintained a farm near Rockhold, 
Kentucky.
  However, his greatest contribution to the community might well be his 
service as a doctor for nearly 30 years. Dr. Early practiced as a 
civilian doctor for the Union Army during the Civil War and continued 
as a country doctor until his death at the age of 77.
  Married twice, Dr. Early helped raise 15 children, four of whom went 
on to serve this country in their own right by joining the Union Army 
during the war. Some of his descendants still live in Kentucky and 
continue to serve our commonwealth and this great nation in numerous 
ways.
  Dr. James Harvey Early was a man who provided great service to his 
community through the trying and difficult times of war in this 
country, and it is fitting that we honor him today with this plaque.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further 
requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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 Senate bill, S. 1714.
  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. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. 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, rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________