[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 147 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H9702-H9703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
BRIGADIER GENERAL (AUS-RET.) JOHN H. MCLAIN POST OFFICE
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 3068) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 2055 Siesta Drive in Sarasota, Florida, as the
``Brigadier General (AUS-Ret.) John H. McLain Post Office''.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3068
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. BRIGADIER GENERAL (AUS-RET.) JOHN H. MCLAIN POST
OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 2055 Siesta Drive in Sarasota, Florida,
shall be known and designated as the ``Brigadier General
(AUS-Ret.) John H. McLain 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 Brigadier General (AUS-Ret.) John H.
McLain Post Office.
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 H.R. 3068.
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, I am happy to join with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Davis) to introduce H.R. 3068, which was introduced by my colleague,
the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Harris), which designates this U.S.
Postal Service facility in Sarasota, Florida, as the Brigadier General
John H. McLain Post Office. The entire delegation from the State of
Florida has signed on as cosponsors to this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, Brigadier General John McLain was a national hero who
this body appropriately recognizes today. A veteran of both World War
II and the Korean War, General McLain served his Nation in the U.S.
Army for 37 years. He earned countless honors during his career,
including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of
Merit.
John McLain was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 21,
1919. After finishing high school, he enlisted in the Army in 1940. His
very enlistment at this time exhibited bravery and a love of country,
as Hitler's Nazi Germany had already invaded several countries in
Europe by this time at the outbreak of World War II. Sure enough,
McLain was soon sent to Europe as part of General George Patton's Third
Army. He fought bravely during the infamous Battle of the Bulge that
began in December 1944 and was promoted to the rank of captain for his
valor.
When he returned to his hometown following World War II, McLain
enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated with
honors in 1947. As war erupted in Korea, Captain McLain volunteered for
active duty, despite being a Reserve in the Army. During the war, he
served as a senior advisor with the Korean Military Advisory Group.
After he returned safely home from his second war in 1953, he returned
to the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his second degree,
this time a master of arts.
The Korean War concluded General McLain's distinguished combat
service, but he remained in the Army Reserves until his retirement in
1977. He deservedly earned the rank of brigadier general in 1972. It is
important to note that the general spent much of his years following
his active duty teaching. He taught English classes at Florida State
University in Tallahassee, Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg,
Florida, and St. Petersburg High School in Edgewood, Pennsylvania. He
also returned to his alma mater to teach English history classes at the
University of Pittsburgh.
From the time of his retirement until his death, General McLain lived
in Sarasota with his wife of 50 years,
[[Page H9703]]
Patricia Ann. He contributed to his community by volunteering countless
hours at schools and organizations in the Sarasota area.
Mr. Speaker, for all these reasons, I urge all Members to support
passage of H.R. 3068 that will name this post office after Brigadier
General John McLain. General McLain will be laid to rest in Arlington
National Cemetery on November 5 with full military honors.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for her work toward
honoring General McLain through this legislation.
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 with my colleague, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr.
Shays), in support of H.R. 3068, legislation naming a postal facility
in Sarasota, Florida, after Brigadier General John H. McLain.
This measure was introduced by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms.
Harris) on September 10, 2003. H.R. 3068, which was unanimously
approved and reported by the Committee on Government Reform on
September 18, 2003, has the support and cosponsorship of the entire
Florida congressional delegation.
General McLain served his country bravely for nearly 4 decades, both
on active duty and as a Reservist. He enlisted in the United States
Army in 1940 and served in World War II and the Korean War. He attained
the rank of brigadier general in 1972 and was inducted into the Field
Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 1976. During his career, he
received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious
Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal, among others.
An active member of his community, General McLain passed away last
month on September 23, 2003. He left behind a wife, four children,
grandchildren, and a great grandchild. General McLain will be buried
with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on November 5,
2003.
Mr. Speaker, naming a postal facility after the late General John H.
McLain continues in our tradition of honoring individuals of great
character and service to their community and to their country. I urge
swift passage of this bill.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Davis) for his help in passage of both these pieces of legislation. I
also know the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Harris) badly wanted to be
here for consideration of H.R. 3068. I commend her for her work on this
bill.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation honors a devoted American patriot,
Brigadier General John H. McLain. I, along with the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis), urge all Members to support its passage.
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, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3068.
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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