[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H7889-H7890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              VINCENT J. WHIBBS, SR. POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5736) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 101 Palafox Place in Pensacola, Florida, as the 
``Vincent J. Whibbs, Sr. Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 5736

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

     SECTION 1. VINCENT J. WHIBBS, SR. POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 101 Palafox Place in Pensacola, Florida, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Vincent J. Whibbs, Sr. 
     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 ``Vincent J. Whibbs, Sr. Post Office 
     Building''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. MARCHANT. 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.

[[Page H7890]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5736, offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Miller), would designate the facility of the United States Post Office 
in Pensacola, Florida, as the Vincent Whibbs, Sr. Post Office Building.
  Mayor Emeritus Vince J. Whibbs passed away on May 30, 2006, having 
left a long legacy of public service in his country, and to the 
hometown of Pensacola, Florida.
  During World War II, Mr. Whibbs left his job at the Pontiac Motor 
Division of General Motors to join the Army's Air Corps, serving as a 
fighter pilot and then a fighter flight trainer. After the war, he 
returned to his job at Pontiac and rose quickly through the ranks until 
he decided to take over a Pontiac dealership in Pensacola. It was there 
that he came to love the city that would become his permanent home.
  Mr. Whibbs was very giving of his time to the community. He was 
elected to the city council, and served in many organizations such as 
the Navy League, the United Way, and the Rotary Club.
  In 1978 he was appointed to a 2-year term as mayor of Pensacola. He 
did such a good job, that he was asked to serve through June of 1991, 
making him the longest serving mayor in Pensacola history.
  In honor of his distinguished service, the city bestowed the title of 
Mayor Emeritus upon Mr. Whibbs.
  I support H.R. 5736 in recognition of the many contributions he made 
to the community. And I hope all Members will join me.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  2315

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5736, legislation introduced by Representative Jeff 
Miller, designates the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 101 Palafox Place in Pensacola, Florida, as the ``Vincent J. 
Whibbs, Sr. Post Office Building.''
  Vincent Whibbs was a member of the Pensacola City Council and former 
mayor of the city from 1977 to 1991. He passed away this year after 
having a distinguished career as a public servant. He did indeed serve 
for a long time as mayor of the city, and I can think of no better way 
for the city to honor his work and his memory than to name this postal 
facility in his honor.
  I urge its passage
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
renaming the Palafox Street Post Office in Pensacola, Florida, the 
Vincent J. Whibbs Post Office. This post office will honor a great man 
who gave his all to the betterment of Pensacola.
  In 1978, Vince Whibbs was appointed to a 2-year term as mayor of 
Pensacola but did such a great job that he ended up serving through 
June of 1991. Mayor Whibbs was Pensacola's longest-serving mayor and 
even after he left the position in 1991 he maintained the title of 
mayor emeritus.
  Friendly, outgoing, and charming, Vince had a love for Pensacola that 
was overshadowed only by his love of God, country, and family. He was 
constantly giving back to the community though his involvement in local 
organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, the Pensacola chapter 
of the Navy League, the Fiesta of Five Flags, the United Way, Rotary 
Club International, Junior Achievement and Project Alert.
  Mayor Whibbs loved to personally welcome dignitaries to Pensacola and 
greeted all who came with a rapid-fire delivery: ``On behalf of our 
elected City Council, those 10 masterful men who manage our magnificent 
municipality; and on behalf of the chairman of our county commission 
and his four commissioners who constantly deal with the changing, 
challenging conditions of our county; and on behalf of our wonderful 
people who populate the Northwest Florida area, it is my privilege and 
pleasure as mayor to welcome you to Pensacola, the western gate to the 
Sunshine State, where thousands live the way millions wish they could, 
where the warmth of our community comes not only from God's good 
sunshine, but from the hearts of the people who live here. Welcome to 
Pensacola, America's first place city and the place where America 
began.''
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Whibbs was a friend of Pensacola, a friend of the 
military and a personal friend of mine. His enthusiasm was contagious, 
his integrity inspiring.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. MARCHANT. 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 Texas (Mr. Marchant) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5736.
  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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