[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 16, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H1293-H1295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              JOSEPH W. WESTMORELAND POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3960) to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 3719 Highway 4 in Jay, Florida, 
as the ``Joseph W. Westmoreland Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3960

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

     SECTION 1. JOSEPH W. WESTMORELAND POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 3719 Highway 4 in Jay, Florida, shall be 
     known and designated as the ``Joseph W. Westmoreland Post 
     Office Building''.

[[Page H1294]]

       (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 Joseph W. Westmoreland 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 H.R. 3960, the bill 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, H.R. 3960, introduced by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Jeff Miller) designates the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 3719 Highway 4 in Jay, Florida, as the Joseph W. 
Westmoreland Post Office Building.
  Mr. Speaker, Joseph Westmoreland was appointed as postmaster at the 
Jay, Florida, post office in 1948, where he served for 41 years until 
his retirement in September 1989. Prior to this appointment, Mr. 
Westmoreland also served in our Nation's military during World War II 
as a member of the Army Air Corps. Throughout his life, Mr. 
Westmoreland distinguished himself as a community leader, constantly 
working for what was best for northwest Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge 
adoption of H.R. 3960.
  Mr. Speaker, 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 Committee on Government Reform, I am 
pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 3960, a 
measure which names a postal facility after Joseph W. Westmoreland, 
introduced by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Jeff Miller) on March 13, 
2002, and enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the Florida 
congressional delegation. This measure was originally introduced by our 
former colleague, Mr. Scarborough.
  Mr. Speaker, Joseph Westmoreland was a member of the postal 
community, serving as postmaster of the Jay, Florida, post office for 
41 years until his retirement in 1989. A World War II veteran, 
community leader, and very devout member of the Jay United Methodist 
Church, Mr. Westmoreland was a civil servant who believed in going the 
extra mile to help the public. As a matter of fact, there are some who 
would say he was a servant of the community and enjoyed it. I urge 
swift passage of this resolution.
  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 Florida (Mr. Jeff Miller), the 
distinguished sponsor of the bill.
  Mr. JEFF MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to 
rise today as the House considers H.R. 3960, a bill to designate the 
United States Postal Service Facility located in Jay, Florida, as the 
Joseph W. Westmoreland Post Office Building.
  Mr. Speaker, earlier this year I introduced this measure to provide a 
fitting tribute to the service and life of the man who did so much for 
that area of the State in northwest Florida.
  Mr. Joseph Westmoreland was born to humble beginnings in South 
Carolina before serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Upon 
leaving service in 1946, Joe married Evelyn, whom he had met while 
stationed at Hurlburt Field. The couple moved to Jay, where Evelyn's 
father owned a small grocery store, and where they would share 55 years 
of marriage.
  Joe was appointed postmaster by Congress in 1948, a position he would 
serve in for 41 years until his retirement. Time and time again, Joe 
proved himself not only an exemplary postmaster, but a strong community 
leader until his death January 28 of last year. While living in Jay, he 
became a charter member of the Jay Lions Club and served in many 
positions in the Jay United Methodist Church, from teaching adult 
Sunday school classes to chair of the finance committee.
  Joe was an example to all of us that a civil servant is forever 
indebted to the people he serves. His faith taught him that there is no 
greater act than service to fellow man, and his life was a testament to 
these beliefs. Although Joe is not with us today, his legacy of service 
and dedication to community serves as a shining example to those in 
northwest Florida.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Joe's wife, Evelyn, and his sons, Lofton and 
Dale, for sharing their husband and father with the communities for so 
many years.
  I would like to thank the Committee on Government Reform, the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), and the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Waxman) for their assistance in getting this bill to the floor, 
and urge my colleagues to support this measure to recognize a man who 
dedicated over 4 decades of his life to the people of Jay, Florida.

                              {time}  1415

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such times he may consume 
to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sandlin).
  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 3960, to 
designate a post office in Jay, Florida, as the Joseph W. Westmoreland 
Post Office Building.
  Joseph Willis Westmoreland was an admirable American and a public 
servant. He was among the greatest generation and served in the Army 
during World War II. World War II veterans alone represent nearly 40 
percent of all American war participants. These great individuals 
risked their lives for the future of this country and we must keep our 
promise to them. Mr. Speaker, the World War II veteran population is 
aging and we must keep our promise to these individuals and give them 
the Social Security benefits we guaranteed to them when they went off 
to war.
  Joseph Westmoreland served as the postmaster of the Jay Post Office 
in Jay, Florida for 41 years. He dedicated his working years to public 
service and made our government a better place. After a lifetime of 
public service, Mr. Westmoreland retired to enjoy his golden years. 
Like over 32 million Americans, Mr. Westmoreland relied on Social 
Security as a safety net. In Florida alone, where this post office will 
be dedicated, there are over 3 million Social Security recipients. The 
Republican budget taps into the Social Security trust fund and 
jeopardizes the future of these millions of seniors in Florida and 
throughout the country.
  The Joseph W. Westmoreland Post Office Building in Florida will be 
another shining example of what good government is all about. The 
Postal Service has a slogan, ``We deliver.'' Sadly, Mr. Speaker, this 
Congress continues not to deliver for America's retirement. This 
Congress, after spending down the surplus, continues to pass 
legislation to raid the Social Security trust fund. Our seniors deserve 
better.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I can imagine that over a period of 41 years as postmaster that Mr. 
Westmoreland must have passed out hundreds and thousands of Social 
Security checks and people probably would come to the post office with 
a smile on their face and with glee in their heart, knowing that they 
were going to pick up that valued Social Security check. I would just 
hope that we never do anything that would jeopardize or take away the 
opportunity for people to continue to have that feeling.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  I urge the adoption of this measure honoring an exemplary civil 
servant.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pence). 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. 3960.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof)

[[Page H1295]]

the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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