[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 153 (Tuesday, October 28, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H9837-H9838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RICHARD D. WATKINS POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3175) to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 2650 Cleveland Avenue, NW in 
Canton, Ohio, as the ``Richard D. Watkins Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3175

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

     SECTION 1. RICHARD D. WATKINS POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 2650 Cleveland Avenue, NW in Canton, Ohio, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Richard D. Watkins 
     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 in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the Richard D. Watkins 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 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, on behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, I am 
pleased that the House is considering H.R. 3175. This legislation, 
sponsored by my distinguished colleague from the State of Ohio (Mr. 
Regula), names this post office in Canton, Ohio, as the Richard D. 
Watkins Post Office Building. The entire delegation from the State of 
Ohio has cosponsored the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, Mayor Richard Watkins is a devoted public official who 
is retiring next month after 12 years as the chief executive of Canton, 
Ohio. His contributions to the people of east central Ohio are 
immeasurable, and this post office would be a deserved tribute to Mayor 
Watkins' service.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Ohio for introducing this 
legislation, and I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 
3175.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased 
to rise in support of H.R. 3175, legislation naming a postal facility 
located at 2650 Cleveland Avenue, NW, in Canton, Ohio, after Richard D. 
Watkins.
  H.R. 3175, introduced by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) on 
September 24, 2003, was unanimously approved by our committee on 
October 8, 2003. The measure has met the Committee on Government Reform 
policy and has the support and cosponsorship of the entire Ohio 
delegation.
  Mr. Watkins, a lifelong resident of Canton, was born in 1930. He 
attended local schools and after college served in the United States 
Marine Corps. After serving his country, he returned to Canton and 
began an impressive career in public service. Richard Watkins was 
elected to the Canton City Council for six terms and served two terms 
as Stark County Commissioner. He was elected mayor in November of 1991 
and reelected in 1995 and 1999.
  In addition to public service, Richard Watkins was dedicated to a 
host of community service projects. He worked with the Boy Scouts, 
serving on their advisory board. He was a member of the National League 
of Cities, Urban Policy Committee, president of the Belle Stone 
Elementary School PTA and formed the Canton Community Clinic, a free 
health care facility which provides medical and dental care to 
thousands of people in need.

[[Page H9838]]

  Mr. Watkins has also been very involved in local transportation and 
infrastructure projects and economic development.
  I commend my colleagues for seeking to honor the accomplishments of 
Richard D. Watkins by naming a postal facility in his hometown of 
Canton, Ohio, and I urge swift passage of H.R. 3175.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as 
he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), 
the sponsor of H.R. 3175.
  (Mr. REGULA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the 
time.
  Richard Watkins has left a great legacy of public service in our 
community, public service that had many dimensions, as was outlined by 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis). I think that he deserves a lot 
of credit for the great work that he has done in our community, and 
this would be a fitting tribute to his career.
  He is completing 12 years as mayor of what we know as the Hall of 
Fame city. Canton, Ohio, has the Football Hall of Fame, and in that 
capacity he accomplished many things that are beneficial to people.
  Mr. Watkins has always been sensitive to the type of leadership that 
cares about people. I think perhaps the best example were his efforts 
to establish the Canton Community Clinic. This is a free health care 
facility. It has been in operation since 1994, and it has served over 
35,000 people in that time. This is a beacon light of help to many 
people who otherwise would not have access to health services.
  In addition, he developed what is known as Cornerstone Square. This 
is a social services campus, kind of a ``one-stop'' for people that 
need help. The Ohio Bureau of Workmens' Compensation is there, the 
Industrial Commission of Ohio and the Ohio Bureau of Employment 
Services. So those that need assistance in these areas can go there and 
find help, and I think his leadership in getting that accomplished was 
great. And it is so important because it has not only provided these 
services in a central place, but it also provided a facility in part of 
the city that needed rehabilitation.
  He has worked on a number of things in the revitalization of downtown 
Canton. Big cities have a challenge these days, and Mayor Watkins has 
addressed that challenge and provided a worthwhile legacy for those 
that he represents. The aesthetic appeal of downtown Canton has been 
immeasurably enhanced by his actions as the mayor, and this would be a 
fitting tribute to an individual who has served the public well, who 
has provided a legacy for others to benefit and also has provided 
leadership that will inspire others to public service.
  He was also, as has been mentioned before, a member of the Marine 
Corps, and I know for some Members that is a very substantial 
endorsement, and so I would urge the Members to support this 
legislation and give this fitting honor of naming the Cleveland Ave. 
Post Office, city of Canton, Ohio, for the retiring mayor of Canton, 
Ohio, Richard D. Watkins.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, 
and I commend the gentleman from Ohio for working on such a meaningful 
piece of legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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. 3175.
  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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