[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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