[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 114 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THOMAS J. MANTON POST OFFICE BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2006

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
supporting H.R. 6033 which would designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 39-25 61st Street in Woodside, New 
York, as the ``Thomas J. Manton Post Office Building''.
  As you know, we lost our dear friend Tom just a few short months ago, 
and I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to one of the most 
distinguished Members who ever served in this great House, than to see 
this renaming become a reality.
  The character of Tom Manton's life might be summed up in a few words: 
he was a man of great commitment, hard-working, an inspiring leader, 
and he was dearly passionate about the causes he believed in and the 
work he did on behalf of his constituency.
  Manton was a man of great intellect. During seven terms in Congress, 
from 1985 to 1998, he was an important figure on reauthorization of the 
Superfund program, which provides for the cleanup of uncontrolled or 
abandoned hazardous waste sites. However, most of his legislative 
initiatives were focused on various local issues: stopping the Long 
Island Rail Road from building a waste-transfer station in western 
Queens, barring the creation of composting plants for sewage sludge in 
New York City, and using amendments to the Clean Air Act to aid local 
businesses. As well, he also sponsored a law that made benefits to 
permanently injured police officers, on par with payments to officers 
killed in the line of duty.
  This loving husband and devoted father was also a very dear friend 
and colleague to me through all the years we worked together here in 
the Congress.
  It was my privilege to know him and to work with him on matters 
involving not only our Nation, but the great State of New York. He 
combined with his charm, an unlimited energy and the highest integrity 
and work ethic.
  Tom Manton was indeed a well respected and revered Member of this 
institution who gave of himself diligently, and was ever zealous to 
carry through to its ultimate conclusion, the cause of those who would 
benefit from his direction. No one is likely to forget neither the 
courage of his faith nor the warmth of his friendship.
  In Tom's memory, let us move this bill forward.