[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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