[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 69 (Monday, May 17, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H3051-H3052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               BOBBY MARSHALL GENTRY POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4176) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 122 West Elwood Avenue in Raeford, North Carolina, 
as the ``Bobby Marshall Gentry Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4176

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

     SECTION 1. BOBBY MARSHALL GENTRY POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 122 West Elwood Avenue in Raeford, North 
     Carolina, shall be known and designated as the ``Bobby 
     Marshall Gentry 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 Bobby Marshall Gentry Post Office 
     Building.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. MURPHY. 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. 4176, the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4176 designates the U.S. Postal Service facility 
located at 122 West Elwood Avenue in Raeford, North Carolina, as the 
``Bobby Marshall Gentry Post Office Building.'' Like H.R. 3740, this 
bill enjoys the cosponsorship of the entire North Carolina 
congressional delegation.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my distinguished colleague and friend 
from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes) for introducing H.R. 4176.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) and my friend the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Davis) for helping participate today.
  I rise today urging my colleagues to support H.R. 4176, legislation 
that would name the main post office in Raeford, North Carolina, in 
honor of their long-time mayor and my good friend, Bobby Marshall 
Gentry. Many qualities Bobby Marshall Gentry had. The old saying is 
``They also serve who only stand and wait.'' Let me tell my colleagues 
for sure, Bobby Marshall Gentry never stood and never waited. He moved 
forward for his town, for his church, for his family, for his children.
  Mr. Gentry was elected to the Raeford City Council in February of 
1977 and proceeded to serve the city of Raeford, North Carolina, 
faithfully for 26 years. In March of 1990, Bob was appointed to the 
post of mayor after the death of then current mayor, J.K. McNeill. Bob 
was elected in his own right as Raeford's mayor in 1993 and reelected 
in 1997 and 2001. He served until his untimely death on October 29 of 
2003. He served his country also as an Army veteran of the Korean War.
  It is interesting to look at all the things that Mayor Gentry did, 
but one of his most proud accomplishments in those 26 years, only one 
time was there a tax increase. There were numerous tax decreases for 
which we all admired him.
  Like most folks in Hoke County, I was shocked and saddened when I 
heard the news that Bob had died. Today I urge my colleagues to join me 
in remembering a great man who I am proud to have called my friend.
  Mr. Speaker, Bob Gentry was a popular mayor. Folks in the community 
appreciated, admired and really liked him a lot. In fact, I do not 
think it is too much of a stretch to say that the Raeford community 
loved Mayor Gentry. Once, when asked why he ran for office, Bob replied 
as if it were just simple common sense, ``I enjoyed it so much that I 
could not resist running again and again.''
  Bob was known for his ability to not only accomplish good things for 
Raeford, but he was able to genuinely have a good time serving and 
accomplishing these many ends.
  Raeford, North Carolina, is a small town in my district, but this 
small-town mayor was a big-time leader who was constantly looking out 
for the town and the people. He passionately pursued economic 
development opportunities. Under his leadership, Raeford was put on 
track for the largest downtown development in Raeford's history. As a 
long-time and loyal employee of Burlington Mills for 17 years, he also 
owned his own small business. He was a contributor. He was a giver.
  Mayor Gentry was appointed to the Lumber River Council of Governments 
board of directors in February of 1990. He served as chairman of this 
group for several terms and was known by his fellow board members as a 
leader who believed in starting on time, getting your work done and 
adjourning on time.
  Bob greatly admired another great North Carolinian, former United 
States Senator Jesse Helms. He once said of Senator Helms, ``His 
integrity is beyond reproach. When he thinks he is right, he will not 
compromise his position for political acceptance or gain. His morals 
are of the highest standards.''
  We were members of different political parties, but his admiration 
for Senator Helms and his befriending of me and shepherding me through 
the process showed clearly his focus was always people and not 
politics.
  Mayor Gentry was a hardworking mayor. He left a legacy with his 
community. His vision for the future and his determination made Raeford 
a better place to live and work.
  Mr. Speaker, in a small city like Raeford, you often see your friends 
and neighbors at the post office. It is the kind of place where people 
say hello and get caught up on what is happening around town. It is 
very fitting then that today the Raeford community joins me in support 
of naming the Raeford Post Office, a building at the center of the 
community, in honor of our former mayor Bob Gentry.
  To his wife Eleanor, I had the privilege, Mr. Speaker, of attending 
the celebration of his life, the funeral service for him, and to 
Eleanor, there is a passage of scripture, ``In my Father's House, there 
are many mansions. I have gone to prepare a place for you.'' Well, Bob 
Gentry is in heaven right now making sure that water and sewer are 
taken care of, that the lights are on, and preparing a place for 
Eleanor and his family and others.
  To Marsha, Gary and Mark, his children; to his five grandchildren, 
Marshall, Lucas, Katie, Kelly and Liam, their grandfather was a 
wonderful man. He leaves many memories of a life well-lived, a good and 
faithful servant who has gone on before, who served in many, many ways.
  Honesty, integrity, intense commitment, these are the qualities, 
among many, that signified our friend, Bobby Marshall Gentry.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and honor my friend, 
a fine public servant.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, 
I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 4176, 
legislation naming a postal facility in Raeford, North Carolina, after 
Bobby Marshall Gentry. This measure, which was introduced by the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes) on April 20, 2004, and 
unanimously reported by our committee on May 6, enjoys the support and 
cosponsorship of the entire North Carolina delegation.
  Bobby Gentry, as we have heard, a lifelong resident of Raeford, was a 
businessman and long-time member of the political establishment in his 
community. He served on the Raeford City Council for 13 years, from 
1977 to 1990,

[[Page H3052]]

and was appointed mayor in 1990. He then went on to win three mayoral 
elections after that.
  Sadly, on October 29, 2003, Mayor Gentry passed away of a heart 
attack. Earlier that day, he had played golf with friends and was out 
having dinner.
  Mr. Speaker, as I understand it, the Raeford community, postmaster 
and mayor are all in support of this measure. I want to commend my 
friend the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes) for introducing 
it, and I urge its passage.
  I do not have any other speakers.
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding.
  Not everyone knows my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis), did not spend his life in Chicago. He grew up in the rural 
south, and I bet he knew people like Bobby Gentry, the kind of folks 
you are glad to see on the streets. It particularly pleases me and the 
people in my community for the gentleman to stand in honoring the 
memory and life of a man who grew up in a rural farming community, but 
did many great things from that platform.
  I thank the gentleman for his help and support.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman, 
and it is a pleasure to be here with my colleague.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to again acknowledge my colleague, the gentleman from North 
Carolina (Mr. Hayes), for his work on H.R. 4176 and the work of the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), and I urge all of the Members to 
support its passage.
  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 Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4176.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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