[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 142 (Tuesday, November 1, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H9444-H9446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ALBERT HAROLD QUIE POST OFFICE

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3989) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 37598 Goodhue Avenue in Dennison, Minnesota, as the 
``Albert Harold Quie Post Office,'' as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3989

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

     SECTION 1. ALBERT H. QUIE POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 37598 Goodhue Avenue in Dennison, 
     Minnesota, shall be known and designated as the ``Albert H. 
     Quie 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 ``Albert H. Quie Post Office''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 3989, as amended. I offer this bill 
together with my colleague from Minnesota (Mr. Kline). This bill would 
designate the post office in Dennison, Minnesota, as the Albert H. Quie 
Post Office Building.
  Let me tell you a little bit about Al Quie. I am privileged to know 
Al and have known him for a very long time. Al Quie was born on a farm 
in Wheeling Township in Rice County near Dennison, Minnesota, on 
September 8, 1923. He attended the grade schools in Nerstrand and high 
school in Northfield. He graduated from St. Olaf College in 1950.
  Mr. Quie served as a pilot in the United States Navy from 1943 to 
1945. He later became the owner and operator of a dairy farm there in 
Rice County. He was the clerk of the District 43 School Board from 1949 
to 1952 and a supervisor for the Rice County Soil Conservation District 
from 1950 until 1954.
  Al Quie was elected to the Minnesota State Senate in 1955, and he was 
elected as a Republican to the 85th Congress by a special election to 
fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative 
August Andresen. He was reelected to the succeeding Congresses for 10 
consecutive terms. In 1978, he left the Congress to run for Governor of 
Minnesota where he served from 1979 until 1983.
  You cannot talk about Al Quie without talking about his wife, 
Gretchen, a very special woman, a loving and tender woman; and I 
remember her so well as the First Lady of the State of Minnesota.
  But Al Quie is so many things. He was a true patriot, a very 
committed Christian, a loving father and husband. He was a principled 
public servant; and in many respects, he embodied all of the qualities 
that we in this House should emulate. I think naming a post office 
after him in his hometown of Dennison, Minnesota, is a very, very small 
tribute.
  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 House Government Reform Committee, I 
am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 3989, 
legislation naming the postal facility in Dennison, Minnesota, after 
Albert Harold Quie. This measure, which was introduced by 
Representative John Kline on October 6, 2005, and unanimously reported 
by our committee on October 20, 2005, enjoys the support and 
cosponsorship of the entire Minnesota delegation.
  Harold Quie, a native of Minnesota, was born on a farm, educated in 
the State, and served in the U.S. Navy for 2 years. He served in the 
Minnesota State Senate from 1955 to 1958, before serving in the U.S. 
House of Representatives in 1958. Representative Quie was reelected and 
served until 1979 when he was elected Governor of Minnesota. He served 
as Governor until 1983.
  After 25 years in government as a public servant, Representative Quie 
continued to be a man of the people. He became a lecturer, teacher, and 
director, and vice president of Prison Fellowship, both in Minnesota 
and North Dakota. Representative Quie is currently retired, living in 
Minnesota.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to honor the 
contributions of former Representative and Governor Quie, and I urge 
swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may 
consume to my colleague from Minnesota (Mr. Kline).
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time and for his leadership on this bill. I think it was Mr. 
Gutknecht's original idea, and I am very pleased that he had it.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3989, this resolution 
which pays tribute to an outstanding Minnesotan through the designation 
of the Albert H. Quie Post Office. I express my appreciation to my 
colleague from Minnesota, as I said, for his leadership, for his 
initiative in this bill, and for helping us pull the entire Minnesota 
delegation together. We have unanimous bipartisan support for this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, Al Quie is a lifelong Minnesotan who is guided by a 
strong faith and the principle of selfless service. Residents of 
Minnesota's Second Congressional District can be proud of this native 
son who was born on a farm in Rice County, was educated in Nerstrand 
and Northfield, and graduated from St. Olaf College in 1950, all 
institutions in the Second District of Minnesota.

[[Page H9445]]

  Throughout his life, Al demonstrated his Minnesota values and earned 
the respect of his fellow citizens. As a pilot in the U.S. Navy, he 
served his Nation bravely in the final days of the Second World War. 
Returning to Minnesota, he continued to serve as a member of the 
District 43 School Board, the Minnesota State Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and as Governor of our great State, all 
accomplishments which have already been mentioned and probably cannot 
be mentioned enough for this great American.
  In his life, faith has always been a clear and guiding principle. As 
one of the founders of the bipartisan National Prayer Breakfast, Al is 
responsible for a meaningful tradition which continues today. Attended 
by every President for the past 50 years, the National Prayer Breakfast 
unites men and women from across the political spectrum in every area 
of the country in a common purpose, and, Mr. Speaker, I might add, from 
countries around the world as this prayer breakfast has grown in 
participation.
  The National Prayer Breakfast was an outgrowth of Al's work in the 
bipartisan Congressional Prayer Breakfast. Considered ``the best hour 
of the week'' by many of us, there are many of my colleagues here in 
this room today who regularly attend this Members-only gathering, it is 
still held weekly, providing a welcome opportunity for prayer and 
fellowship.
  Closely intertwined with Al's faith is his love of nature and 
adventure. Over the course of nine summers, accompanied by friends, 
colleagues, and his sons, Al traveled the length of the Continental 
Divide on horseback, journaling along the way.

                              {time}  1445

  Considering it his greatest triumph, he detailed the experience in a 
book, Riding the Divide, which I highly commend to all of my 
colleagues. It is a personal account of his adventure and a testimony 
of his faith journey.
  Though the ride to Canada to Mexico may have been his biggest 
personal triumph, Al's greatest impact on the lives of others may be 
his work with Prison Fellowship Ministries, a volunteer organization 
which ministers to prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims and their families, 
and promotes biblical standards of justice in the criminal justice 
system.
  Through this group, Al's faith has impacted individuals and changed 
lives. Al Quie's life reflects faith, dedication to service and an 
enduring commitment to the people of Minnesota. It is an honor as a 
Minnesotan to pay tribute to him today.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy).
  Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for 
bringing forth this resolution.
  It would be great to have the opportunity to visit all of those for 
whom we name post offices, but I think if you really knew Al Quie, you 
would know that he would be a standard against which we would judge the 
others.
  A lot has been talked about the great things he has done in public 
service as well as for the community. I first got a chance to interact 
with him when I started to get involved in the process of politics in 
1978 when he ran for Governor. What an amazing man he is. The last two 
times I saw Governor Quie were in church and in a prison. You might 
think that is a little bit unusual combination, but he really has 
brought his faith to those that are in prison and really dedicated 
himself to that.
  This is a person that not only served in many capacities in the State 
legislature, as a U.S. Congressman and as Governor, but through his 
work with Prison Fellowship and the Minnesota School Readiness Business 
Advisory Council, helping people be prepared for school, he has 
committed himself to the community.
  It has already been mentioned about the fact that he has just a gem 
of a spouse. Those that meet Gretchen know how much that contributes to 
his strength. If you are known by your fruits, their five children, 
Fredric, Jennifer, Daniel, Joel and Ben, speak highly of them.
  A true leader, a man dedicated to his faith, family State and 
country. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bill, pleased to 
support a bill to name a post office after someone who makes Minnesota 
nice personified.
  Denison, Minnesota, deserves to have their post office named after 
Governor Quie. I applaud my colleagues for bringing this forward.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues. I would just add 
one thing to the comments of my colleague (Mr. Kline) and that is that 
when he rode the Continental Divide, he was in his 70s. An amazing 
tribute. He is now in his 80s. He and Gretchen still are living happily 
in Minnesota. I believe that naming this post office is just a small 
way for us to say thank you for his many, many years of selfless public 
service.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope the Members will join us in supporting this 
important resolution.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
public servant, a man of great faith and good works, a great American--
and a friend to all Minnesotans and many who have served in this House.
  Al Quie is a truly honorable man, a ``servant leader'' of the highest 
order. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation before us to 
honor this dedicated public servant. This legislation would designate 
the post office in Dennison, Minnesota, as the ``Albert Harold Quie 
Post Office.''
  Mr. Speaker, this is a truly fitting and well-deserved honor for an 
outstanding former Member of Congress and great Governor of the State 
of Minnesota. As my friend since I was first elected to the Minnesota 
Senate in 1980 when Al was Governor, I consider him one of the most 
honorable people I've known in my 25 years of public service.
  Mr. Speaker, Al Quie is truly one of the all-time ``greats'' of 
Minnesota government and politics. His record of unquestioned 
integrity, leadership, legislative accomplishments and public service 
will forever rank Al Quie as a ``giant'' in Minnesota history.
  Al Quie was born on a farm in Wheeling Township, Rice County, near 
Dennison, Minnesota, on September 18, 1923. Al Quie's many 
accomplishments as a Navy pilot, dairy farmer, legislator, Member of 
Congress, Governor, religious leader and all-star citizen make this 
honor, the naming of his hometown post office, a truly fitting 
recognition of his public service.
  Al Quie completed all of his formal education within a few miles of 
the Dennison Post Office; he attended grade school in Nerstrand, high 
school in Northfield and graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield 
in 1950.
  Governor Quie served as a pilot in the United States Navy from 1943-
1945 and later became the owner and operator of a dairy farm. He was 
the clerk of District 43 School Board from 1949-1952 and a supervisor 
for the Rice County Soil Conservation District from 1950-1954. Al Quie 
was a member of the Minnesota State Senate from 1955-1958 and was 
elected to the 85th U.S. Congress and served 20 years here in this 
chamber. He served as the 35th Governor of Minnesota from January 1, 
1979, until January 3, 1983.
  Mr. Speaker, Al Quie's tireless work to help others since he left the 
Governor's office with such wonderful organizations as Prison 
Fellowship has been truly inspirational. His strong faith also serves 
as a powerful force and profound example for me in my life.
  Al Quie has continued his public servlce in too many ways to fully 
emunerate here. Al has served on many boards--not only Prison 
Fellowship Ministries, but Lutheran Brotherhood Mutual Funds, Lutheran 
Health Systems, Tentmakers, Vesper Society, Nobel Peace Prize Forum, 
Search Institute, Council on Crime and Justice, Urban Ventures and 
AGORA.
  Al Quie was a member of the Commission on Excellence in Education 
that wrote ``A Nation at Risk.'' Today, Al is a sought after speaker 
and mentor as well as a voting member of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church in America Church-Wide Assemblies.
  Al has also been busy seeing this great nation he served so ably. 
After completing his service as Governor of Minnesota, he was able to 
take time to fulfill his life-long dream of riding horseback along the 
Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico--and write a best-selling book 
about it, ``Riding the Divide.'' Al Quie has had quite a ride, serving 
others and leading our state and nation. I am proud to say that today 
he resides in Minnetonka, Minnesota, my home town in the 3rd 
Congressional District, which I am privileged to represent.
  Al personifies both the greatness and goodness of Minnesota. Above 
all, Al has been a good friend over the years, and I love, admire and 
respect him and his wonderful family.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this fitting tribute to a great 
leader and a truly good man, Al Quie.
  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3989 and join my 
Democratic and Republican colleagues from Minnesota in their unanimous 
support for designating the post office in Dennison, Minnesota as the 
``Albert Harold Quie Post Office.''

[[Page H9446]]

  Albert Quie is a well-respected former Minnesota Governor, U.S. 
Representative, and state senator. He grew up on a farm near his 
hometown of Dennison.
  Al Quie was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special 
election in 1958 and served here for over 20 years.
  Governor Quie left the U.S. House in late 1978 to return to Minnesota 
after his successful gubernatorial bid. While I never served alongside 
Governor Quie, I've always respected his integrity and humility in his 
commitment to public service.
  Again, I rise in support of naming the Dennison, MN, post office 
after Albert Harold Quie.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gingrey). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3989, as amended.
  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. GUTKNECHT. 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 question will 
be postponed.

                          ____________________