[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H236-H237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RAYMOND J. SALMON POST OFFICE

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 4152) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 320 High Street in Clinton, 
Massachusetts, as the ``Raymond J. Salmon Post Office''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4152

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

     SECTION 1. RAYMOND J. SALMON POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 320 High Street in Clinton, Massachusetts, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Raymond J. Salmon 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 ``Raymond J. Salmon Post Office''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. 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 H.R. 4152.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4152, offered by the distinguished gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), would designate the post office building 
in Clinton, Massachusetts, as the Raymond J. Salmon Post Office.
  On April 16, 1923, Raymond J. Salmon was born in the town of Clinton, 
Massachusetts. In his younger years, Ray served his country as a 
Technical Sergeant in the U.S. Army in World War II. In 1950, he began 
his political career by working for Congressman Phillip Philbin of 
Clinton, Massachusetts, and served as his Chief of Staff until 1970. 
While working on Capitol Hill, Ray managed to complete law school and 
be admitted to the bar in 1952.
  After several years as a sole practitioner, Ray was appointed the 
Clerk Magistrate of Clinton District Court in 1976, and he remained in 
this position until his retirement in 2000.
  His service in this capacity did not go unnoticed by his community. 
He was loved and revered by the citizens of Clinton, and he remained 
involved in many other community activities. He was a member of the 
Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, Turner Veterans, the Polish 
American Veterans, the Hibernian AOH Master of Ceremonies, President of 
the National Exchange Club, Exalted Ruler of the Clinton Lodge of Elks 
and President of the Clinton Democratic Town Committee.
  It is an honor and privilege to be able to recognize such an 
unselfish and giving member of the community by passing H.R. 4152 and 
recognizing the efforts of such a committed individual.
  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 Government Reform Committee, I am 
pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 4152, 
legislation naming a postal facility in Clinton,

[[Page H237]]

Massachusetts, after Raymond Salmon. This measure, sponsored by 
Representative James McGovern of Massachusetts, was unanimously 
reported by our committee on November 16, 2005. H.R. 4152 has the 
support and cosponsorship of the entire Massachusetts delegation.
  Mr. Salmon, a native of Massachusetts, was a graduate of Clinton 
public schools, Saint Michael's College in Vermont and Suffolk 
University Law School. He was a congressional staffer who worked for 
former representative Phillip Philbin from 1950 to 1970. He was a 
veteran and an attorney seriously and actively involved in many aspects 
of community life in the neighborhood and community where he lived. He 
gave a great deal of himself for the benefit of others with consistency 
and regularity.
  I am pleased, Mr. Speaker, to urge the swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Tom Davis and 
Ranking Member Henry Waxman of the House Government Reform Committee 
for their leadership on moving this important resolution through the 
committee and to the House floor for its consideration today.
  I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4152, which would designate 
the United States Postal Facility at 320 High Street in Clinton, 
Massachusetts as the Raymond J. Salmon Post Office.
  Mr. Speaker, by designating this Federal post office today, we honor 
a great American. Raymond J. Salmon was born on April 16, 1923 in the 
small town of Clinton, MA. As a young man, Ray responded to the call of 
duty during World War II and became a member of the United States Army 
serving as a Technical Sergeant. Returning home from the war, Ray began 
work for Congressman Phillip Philbin of Clinton, Massachusetts, in 
1950, and he remained in public service as the Congressman's Chief of 
Staff until 1970.
  During his time as a Hill staffer, Ray completed law school, was 
admitted to the bar in 1952 and was a sole practitioner until 1977. 
While practicing law, Ray was appointed the Clerk Magistrate of Clinton 
District Court in 1976 and remained loyal to his position until his 
retirement in 2000. Ray brought honor and an enthusiasm to his 
position, and everyone in town knew and admired Ray for his character 
and love of public service. Actively engaged in the community, Ray was 
a member of many civic groups, including the Knights of Columbus, 
American Legion, Polish American Veterans, and the Clinton Elks Lodge.
  Mr. Speaker, if you ever have the opportunity to travel to the town 
of Clinton, you will be hard-pressed to find someone who was not fond 
of Ray. Clearly, his spirit lives on throughout this small, tight-knit 
community. By designating this facility as the Raymond J. Salmon Post 
Office, we honor not only this truly great individual, but the 
community he served and the people who knew him so well.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time. I urge Members to support the passage of H.R. 4152, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bradley of New Hampshire). The question 
is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) 
that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4152.
  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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