[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 79 (Monday, May 14, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H4922-H4923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CLAUDE RAMSEY POST OFFICE

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 1260) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 6301 Highway 58 in Harrison, 
Tennessee, as the ``Claude Ramsey Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1260

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

     SECTION 1. CLAUDE RAMSEY POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 6301 Highway 58 in Harrison, Tennessee, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Claude Ramsey 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 ``Claude Ramsey Post Office''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration 
of H.R. 1260, which names a postal facility in Harrison, Tennessee, 
after Claude Ramsey.
  H.R. 1260, which was introduced by Representative Zach Wamp on March 
1, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by a 
voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by the entire Tennessee 
congressional delegation.
  Mr. Claude Ramsey is currently serving his third term as mayor of 
Hamilton County, Tennessee. Prior to becoming county mayor, he was the 
assessor of property, served on the Hamilton County Board of 
Commissioners, and was a member of the Tennessee State Legislature.
  Mr. Ramsey's career as a public servant exemplifies diligence, hard 
work, and dedication to the people of Hamilton County.
  Mr. Ramsey plays a pivotal role in the economic progress of Hamilton 
County. As a manager and leader, he has distinguished himself with his 
openness and availability to both the business community and the 
public. He has been honored with numerous awards and offices that 
reflect his dedication and service to his community. As a fiscal 
conservative, Mr. Ramsey encourages progress in Hamilton County through 
responsible investments in the growth of business and industry.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Zach Wamp for 
introducing this legislation and urge swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, County Mayor Claude Ramsey has a long list of 
accomplishments to show for his three terms as leader of Hamilton 
County, Tennessee. From reforming the public education system to 
creating jobs in the area, Mayor Ramsey has constantly addressed the 
needs of both the business community as well as the general public.
  Mayor Ramsey turned Hamilton County's public education system into a 
model for other counties to follow. Mayor Ramsey rallied support from 
the neighborhoods. Nine thousand people participated in an education 
summit and task force to identify the issues and challenges facing the 
department. Eight key initiatives, including target graduation and 
reading rates, increased technology, and early education programs, were 
formed. When fully implemented, the county's public education system 
will be one of the very best in the country.
  Mayor Ramsey is constantly looking for new business and industrial 
recruitment and has made economic expansion a priority during his 
administration. He was able to secure almost $3 million in grant funds 
for expansion of local industries, which led to hundreds of millions of 
private investment and the creation of 2,000 jobs. He was also able to 
receive funding for the Center for Entrepreneurial Growth, a program 
started by Mayor Ramsey, to create more technology-based jobs in the 
community.
  Hamilton County has received high praise for the changes that have 
been made, for instance receiving an AA+ rating from Finch, Inc. In 
2003, Mayor Ramsey was presented Chattanooga Area Manager of the Year, 
an award presented annually to an executive whose management skills 
have profoundly influenced the outstanding performance of a key element 
of American business, industry, government, or nonprofit activity.
  Mayor Ramsey has also addressed important topics such as literacy, 
obesity, public littering, and the creation of parks.
  Making himself open and available to the community, Mayor Ramsey is 
very active in local agencies, such as the Orange Grove Center and the 
chairman of the Board of Associates at Chattanooga State Technical 
Community College.
  As Mayor Ramsey rounds out his third term as county mayor, he 
continues to be an active and committed leader to the citizens of 
Hamilton County. The programs which he has put into place will be his 
legacy. They will continue to provide for the community for decades in 
the future.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to point out that the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp) would like to be here today to make 
a statement, but he had to remain home for a family emergency. We wish 
Mr. Wamp and his family the best.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 1260, 
which honors Mayor Ramsey for his admirable public service to the 
people of

[[Page H4923]]

Hamilton County and the State of Tennessee.
  Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support legislature, H.R. 
1260, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service, located at 
6301 Highway 58 in Harrsison, TN, as the ``Claude Ramsey Post Office.'' 
This legislature would rename the City of Harrison Post Officer after 
one of Hamilton County's most notable leaders, Mayor Claude Ramsey.
  As he serves his fourth term as County Mayor, Claude Ramsey continues 
to set a high standard as a dedicated manager and leader in the 
community. Prior to his term as County Mayor, he was the Assessor of 
Property, served on the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, and was 
a member of the Tennessee State Legislature. Claude Ramsey's career as 
a public servant exemplifies diligence, hard work, and tremendous 
results for the people of Hamilton County.
  During his tenure, Mayor Ramsey fought to strengthen public education 
in Hamilton County. He recently rallied the community to participate in 
an education summit to create solid initiatives to address the issues 
and challenges facing the public education system. Mayor Ramsey created 
six task forces and presented their findings and recommendations to the 
community. He then organized the introduction of eight key initiatives, 
including early education programs and a greater supply of laptop 
computers, to strengthen the public education system and increase 
graduation rates of students.
  In addition, Mayor Ramsey has been a true leader in promoting 
economic development in Hamilton County. Mayor Ramsey's vision of 
creating more technology-based jobs in Hamilton County has shown strong 
results. His administration has secured Federal funding for the 
development of the Center for Entrepreneurial Growth, which provides 
local entrepreneurs assistance in developing new advanced-technology 
companies. Mayor Ramsey also secured over $2.8 million in grant funds 
for local businesses, which have helped create over 2,000 jobs, and 
played a vital role in the transfer of the 1200-acre Enterprise South 
Industrial Park property from the U.S. Army.
  For his dedicated service and results, Mayor Ramsey was named 
``Chattanooga Area Manager of the Year'' in 2003, which is the largest 
local awards program in the Nation.
  Mayor Ramsey also has contributed to the community by serving on the 
boards of numerous agencies, including the Orange Grove Center, the 
Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, the RiverCity Company, and the 
United Way. Claude Ramsey also served on the Board of Trustees at 
Erlanger Medical Center and was Chairman of the Board of Associates at 
Chattanooga State Technical Community College.
  Most importantly, Claude Ramsey is a loving husband to his wife, Jan; 
a proud father to his son, Rich, and his daughter, Stacy; and a doting 
grandfather to his grandchildren Madison, Meredith, Macy, John Ross, 
and Claudia.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of this 
legislation that honors Mayor Claude Ramsey for his commendable public 
service to the people of Hamilton County and the State of Tennessee.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this 
resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1260.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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