[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 67 (Thursday, May 13, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. STEVENS (for himself and Ms. Murkowski):
  S. 2415. A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 4141 Postmark Drive, Anchorage, Alaska, as the 
``Robert J. Opinsky Post Office Building,'' to the Committee on 
Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I send to the desk legislation to 
designate the U.S. Post Office located at 4141 Postmark Drive in 
Anchorage, Alaska after Robert J. Opinsky.
  Bob Opinsky started his career with the Postal Service in 1956 as a 
$1.50-an-hour temporary clerk. Through hard work and dedication, he was 
able to work up the ranks of the Postal Service and become the District 
Manager of the Postal Service in Alaska.
  During his 41 years with the Postal Service, Bob has proven his 
commitment to the Postal Service. In 1964 when the great earthquake hit 
Alaska, the local roads were torn apart and homes and buildings were 
destroyed. In addition, the earthquake created a large hole in the 
Anchorage post office building. However, despite the conditions of the 
Anchorage post office and roads, Bob Opinsky went to work on the Monday 
morning following the Friday quake.
  Bob Opinsky introduced innovative methods to run the Postal Service. 
Under Bob's leadership in 1996, the Postal Service was awarded the 
Green Star Award; an award given in honor of environmental 
responsibility. The Postal Service in Alaska recycled more than 725,000 
pounds of mixed paper and 100,000 pounds of cardboard. Not only was the 
Anchorage recycling program environmentally friendly, the Postal 
Service's efforts reduced their annual disposal cost by about $34,000.
  After 41 years of employment with the Postal Service, Bob Opinsky 
retired from his District Manager position in 1996. Bob has poured his 
heart and soul into the Postal Service. It is only fitting we honor his 
commitment to the Postal Service by dedicating a post office in 
Anchorage, Alaska after him.
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