[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 51 (Monday, March 31, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H2497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1515
                       JIM RICHARDSON POST OFFICE

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1505) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 2127 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte, North 
Carolina, as the ``Jim Richardson Post Office''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1505

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

     SECTION 1. JIM RICHARDSON POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 2127 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte, 
     North Carolina, shall be known and designated as the ``Jim 
     Richardson Post Office''.
       (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 Jim Richardson Post Office.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Waxman) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).


                             General Leave

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. 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 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1505 has been introduced by our esteemed colleague, 
the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt), and it designates the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2127 Beatties 
Ford Road in Charlotte, North Carolina as the ``Jim Richardson Post 
Office Building.''
  Mr. Speaker, State Senator Jim Richardson of Charlotte, North 
Carolina was a venerable public servant who deserves acknowledgment by 
this House. Mr. Richardson earned one term as a State representative, 
followed by 4 terms in the Senate of the Tarheel State. His time 
serving in the North Carolina State legislature followed a 
distinguished 33-year career with the United States Postal Service. He 
reached the rank of postmaster in Mount Holly, North Carolina, and was 
recognized with a Postal Service Certificate of Appreciation for his 
outstanding career. By all accounts, Jim Richardson was one of the most 
friendly and most wonderful men one would ever meet.
  Sadly, Mr. Speaker, I understand that Mr. Richardson was diagnosed 
with cancer 3 years ago and he is conducting a brave fight. I know I 
speak for all Members when I say that the thoughts and prayers of this 
entire House are with Mr. Richardson and his family.
  Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge all Members to support the 
adoption of H.R. 1505. I want to thank our colleague, the gentleman 
from North Carolina (Mr. Watt), for introducing this meaningful 
measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  As ranking member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I join 
my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) in the 
consideration of H.R. 1505, a bill which names a U.S. postal facility 
located at 2127 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte, North Carolina after 
Jim Richardson. This bill was introduced by our friend and colleague, 
the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt), on March 27, 2003.
  For the benefit of my colleagues, H.R. 1505 has met the committee 
cosponsorship requirement and has the support and sponsorship of the 
entire North Carolina State congressional delegation.
  Mr. James Franklin Richardson, Sr., was born in Charlotte, North 
Carolina in 1926. After attending elementary and high school in 
Charlotte, Mr. Richardson went on to join the United States Navy and 
fought in World War II. After receiving an honorable discharge from the 
Navy, Mr. Richardson attended and graduated from Johnson C. Smith 
University with a bachelor of science degree in physical education and 
general science. Upon graduation, Mr. Richardson began a 33-year career 
with the United States Postal Service.
  During his tenure with the Postal Service, Jim Richardson served as a 
service clerk and a postal supervisor. He spent his last 8 years with 
the Postal Service as postmaster in Mount Holly, North Carolina. Before 
he retired, Jim Richardson had received a Certificate of Appreciation 
from the Service, in ``Recognition of Exceptional Performance in the 
Interest of Improved Postal Service.''
  In 1985, Jim was elected to the North Carolina House of 
Representatives where he served one 2-year term before being elected to 
the North Carolina Senate. He served 4 terms in the Senate before he 
retired and was elected to the Mecklenburg County Commission where he 
served for 6 years.
  During his years in public service, Jim Richardson was known for 
operating in a bipartisan manner and working hard to improve and 
promote his community. He always held true to his convictions and 
continued to fight the good fight. This fight continues today as Jim 
battles against cancer.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny 
Davis), the ranking member of the Postal Task Force, for getting this 
bill to the House Floor. I also commend my colleague, the gentleman 
from North Carolina (Mr. Watt) for seeking to honor the incredible 
contributions made by Jim Richardson to his community, and I urge the 
swift passage of this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1505.
  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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