[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 147 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H9700-H9702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EDWARD O'GRADY, WAVERLY BROWN, PETER PAIGE POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 1591) to redesignate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 48 South Broadway, Nyack, New York, as the 
``Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige Post Office Building.''
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 1591

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

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 48 South Broadway, Nyack, New York, and 
     known as the ``Nyack Post Office'' shall be known as the 
     ``Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige 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 shall be deemed to be a reference to

[[Page H9701]]

     the ``Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige Post Office 
     Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Shays) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SHAYS. 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 under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 1591 introduced by Senator Charles Schumer of New 
York, designates this postal service facility in Nyack, New York as the 
``Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige Post Office Building.'' 
The three namesakes of this post office designation were tragically 
killed during a malicious robbery of a Brinks Corporation armored 
vehicle on October 20, 1981, 22 years ago today. This bill has already 
passed the other body, and I am pleased the House is taking it up 
today.
  On that dreadful October day in 1981, a gang attacked a Brinks 
armored car in broad daylight outside a shopping mall in the New York 
City suburb of Nyack. The two guards, Peter Paige and Joseph Trombino, 
were both shot, and Paige died from his wounds. The ruthless gang also 
shot and killed Nyack police officers Edward O'Grady and Waverly Brown, 
who courageously responded to the robbery.
  Mr. Speaker, this senseless, wicked crime ended the lives of these 
three men who were each carrying out their daily duties 22 years ago 
today. With the enactment of S. 1591, this post office in Nyack will 
forever carry the names of these three slain heroes.
  Peter Paige dutifully served the Brinks Corporation for 25 years as a 
security guard prior to the 1981 robbery. He was a gentle, yet diligent 
man, who was known by his colleagues, friends, and family for his 
selflessness.
  Waverly Brown was a caring and disciplined Nyack police officer who 
earned a reputation as a no-nonsense law enforcer. In addition, Officer 
Brown was known for his aptitude in the kitchen, as he regularly 
prepared meals for his fellow officers at his station.
  Edward O'Grady also served with the police force in the Village of 
Nyack. Prior to his police service, Mr. O'Grady was a Marine who served 
two tours, two tours, in Vietnam. He also selflessly worked with the 
Volunteer Fire Department in his hometown of Nyack.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the Senator from New York for helping us all 
to remember the wonderful lives as well as the sacrifices of Edward 
O'Grady, Waverly Brown, and Peter Paige. I also congratulate the 
Senator for having S. 1591 considered by the House, and I want to 
recognize the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for introducing an 
identical piece of legislation, H.R. 3167, in this body. He, certainly, 
also should be commended for his work to commemorate the lives of these 
three men.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all Members to support the passage of S. 
1591.
  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 rise in support 
of S. 1591, legislation naming a postal facility in Nyack, New York, 
after Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, and Peter Paige. This measure was 
introduced by Senator Charles Schumer on September 8, 2003. S. 1591 was 
unanimously passed by the Senate and unanimously approved by the 
Committee on Government Reform. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) 
has an identical bill, H.R. 3167, that has met the committee 
cosponsorship policy and has the support of the entire New York 
delegation.
  Twenty-two years ago on October 20, 1981, members of a radical group, 
the Weather Underground, killed two police officers and a Brinks guard 
in two separate but deadly incidents. On that Wednesday, gunmen held up 
an armored vehicle just outside the Nanuet National Bank and killed 
Brinks guard Peter Paige. Minutes later, while on the run, the killers 
opened fire and mortally wounded two Nyack policemen, Edward O'Grady 
and Waverly Brown. These men paid the ultimate sacrifice for doing 
their job and died in the line of duty.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Senator Schumer and the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Engel) for seeking to honor the memory of these slain 
individuals by naming a postal facility in their honor. I am indeed 
pleased to join with the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) in 
consideration of this measure and urge its swift passage.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), the sponsor of this 
legislation.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Illinois for yielding 
time, as well as my friend from Connecticut.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1591, legislation I have worked 
on with our Senator, Senator Schumer, to name the United States Postal 
Service facility at 48 South Broadway in Nyack, New York, in my 
district, after three heroes: Nyack Police Officers Edward O'Grady and 
Waverly Brown, and Brinks Guard Peter Paige.
  I am proud to have introduced H.R. 3167, the House version of this 
bill, that has the support of the entire 29-member New York State 
delegation in the House. It is a true testament to those three brave 
men who helped prevent the deaths of countless others 22 years ago 
today when an armed gang attempted to rob a Brinks armored truck in the 
middle of the day at a crowded mall with no regard for the lives that 
would fall in their wake. The naming of this Federal building will 
serve as a living memorial to these fine men who made the ultimate 
sacrifice while serving their community.
  Mr. Speaker, there are few events that rock a community such as this. 
To this day, the people of Rockland County can recount the events of 
October 20, 1981, as if it were yesterday. This wonderful, tranquil 
community was awakened by the stark gunfire of a gang of heavily armed 
murderers and thieves who struck at the heart of the community, the 
Nanuet Mall, where children and families shop, eat, and spend time 
throughout the year. This brazen act forever changed Rockland County 
and the families of those gunned down.
  It is reassuring to know that Peter Paige, Edward O'Grady, and 
Waverly Brown did not die in vain. After this horrific incident, 
Rockland County implemented new training measures and policies that 
have saved the lives of many officers over the last 22 years.
  In addition to better coordination with State and Federal agencies, 
the Rockland County Police Department also began rigorous new training 
programs designed to deal with these types of crises. These new 
policies undoubtedly enhanced the Rockland PD's response to September 
11 and the subsequent war on terror.
  Also, every year on October 20, and as we are speaking now this is 
happening at this moment, the community gathers at a park on the Hudson 
River dedicated to their memory to honor their lives and their heroism. 
Today, the loved ones of these fine men are there remembering their 
son, their father, their friend. I am honored and humbled to inform 
them that the House of Representatives is recognizing them as well, and 
that the memory will be forever imprinted on Rockland County and, 
indeed, on our entire Nation.
  This honor comes at a difficult time for the families of the victims 
as a participant in the robbery, Kathy Boudin, was recently paroled. 
Although she has regained her freedom, the lives of Edward O'Grady, 
Waverly Brown, and Peter Paige can never be replaced and the wounds 
their families and friends and the community still feel can never be 
healed. So, again, this is a fitting tribute to the memory of those 
lost and the lives of those still with us who grieved for their loved 
ones.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank both the chairman of the Committee on 
Government Reform, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), and the 
ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), for moving

[[Page H9702]]

this legislation quickly through the committee and to the floor so it 
can be considered today, the exact anniversary of that tragic day.
  I also want to thank the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. DeLay), for his help and cooperation in facilitating this process, 
and the minority leader, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), 
for her support today. In addition, today would not be possible without 
the tireless work of our Senator, Chuck Schumer, and the entire New 
York delegation, who have come together as New Yorkers do in a time of 
need and have unanimously supported this legislation.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1591, legislation I 
am working on together with Senator Schumer, to name the United States 
Postal Service facility at 48 South Broadway in Nyack after three 
heroes, Nyack Police Officers Edward O'Grady and Waverly Brown, and 
Brinks Guard Peter Paige. I am proud to have introduced H.R. 3167, the 
House version of this bill that has the support of the entire New York 
delegation. It is a true testament to these brave men who helped 
prevent the deaths of countless others 22 years ago when an armed gang 
attempted to rob a Brinks Armored Truck in the middle of the day at a 
crowded mall with no regard for the lives that would fall in their 
wake. The naming of this federal building will serve as a living 
memorial to these fine men who made the ultimate sacrifice while 
serving their community.
  Mr. Speaker, there are few events that rock a community such as this. 
To this day, the people of Rockland County can recount the events of 
October 20, 1981, as if it were yesterday. This wonderful, tranquil 
community was awakened by the stark gunfire of a gang of heavily armed 
murderers and thieves who struck at the heart of the community, the 
Nanuet Mall, where children and families, shop, eat, and spend time 
throughout the year. This brazen act forever changed Rockland County 
and the families of those gunned down.
  It is reassuring to know that Peter Paige, Edward O'Grady, and 
Waverly Brown did not die in vain. After this horrific incident, 
Rockland County implemented new training measures and policies that 
have saved the lives of many officers over the last 22 years. In 
addition to better coordination with state and federal agencies, the 
Rockland County Police Departments also began rigorous new training 
programs designed to deal with these types of crisis. These new 
policies undoubtedly enhanced the Rockland PD's response to September 
11th and the subsequent war on terror. Also, every year on October 
20th, the community gathers at a park on the Hudson River dedicated to 
their memory to honor their lives and their heroism. Today, the loved 
ones of these fine men are there--remembering their son, their father, 
their friend. I am honored and humbled to inform them that the House of 
Representatives is recognizing them as well, and that their memory will 
be forever imprinted on Rockland County, and our entire Nation.
  This honor comes at a difficult time for the families of the victims 
as a participant in the robbery, Kathy Boudin, was recently paroled. 
Although she has regained her freedom, the lives of Edward O'Grady, 
Waverly Brown, and Peter Paige can never be replaced and the wounds 
their families and friends still feel can never be healed. So again, 
this is a fitting tribute to the memory of those lost and the lives of 
those still with us who grieve for their loved ones.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank both Chairman Tom Davis and Ranking 
Member Henry Waxman  for moving this legislation quickly through the 
Committee and to the floor so it could be considered today on the 
anniversary of that tragic day. I also want to thank Majority Leader 
Tom DeLay for his help and cooperation in facilitating this process and 
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for her support. In addition, today would 
not be possible without the tireless work of Senator Chuck Schumer, and 
the entire New York delegation who have come together as New Yorkers do 
in a time of need and have unanimously supported this legislation.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, thanking Members for their cooperation, I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Boozman). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 1591.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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