[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 83 (Monday, May 21, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H5483-H5484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     LEONARD W. HERMAN POST OFFICE

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 1722) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 601 Banyan Trail in Boca Raton, 
Florida, as the ``Leonard W. Herman Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.

[[Page H5484]]

  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1722

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

     SECTION 1. LEONARD W. HERMAN POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 601 Banyan Trail in Boca Raton, Florida, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Leonard W. Herman 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 ``Leonard W. Herman Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) 
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 
might consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 
1722, which names the postal facility in Boca Raton, Florida, after 
Leonard W. Herman.
  H.R. 1722, which was introduced by Representative Robert Wexler on 
March 27, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 
2007, by a voice vote. This measure, which has been cosponsored by 24 
Members, has the support of the entire Florida congressional 
delegation.
  Mr. Leonard Herman was a bombardier in the United States Army, and he 
flew numerous missions over Germany during World War II. He displayed 
heroic actions and earned high honors and several distinguished medals 
for his bravery.
  Perhaps one of Mr. Herman's greatest achievements was his 
contribution in seeking to save the lives of thousands of ``survivors'' 
of German concentration camps who were dying because of the lack of 
adequate food, clothing and medical supplies. According to accounts by 
Professor Robert L. Hilliard, ``Leonard Herman took it upon himself to 
advise and seek help from many of our government leaders regarding the 
plight of the survivors. His efforts were instrumental in President 
Truman's learning about displaced persons' situations in the U.S.-
occupied Germany. The President changed U.S. policy and issued orders 
to provide the assistance and materials needed by the Holocaust 
survivors. Lieutenant Herman played an important role in saving 
thousands of these lives.''
  And so, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Robert 
Wexler from Florida, for introducing this legislation, and I urge swift 
passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  It is an honor for me to speak today about a true American hero who 
epitomized bravery and loyalty to his country. Leonard Herman was a 
decorated World War II veteran who helped save the lives of his fellow 
servicemen, as well as thousands of civilian victims of the war. He was 
also instrumental in bringing appropriate attention to President Truman 
regarding the needs of Holocaust survivors and other displaced persons.
  Leonard Herman served as a bombardier with the U.S. Army and flew in 
countless combat missions over Germany. Honoring his country, he 
proudly completed two tours of duty. Among his awards are the Purple 
Heart, the Air Medal, three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished 
Flying Cross. Fighting against heavy enemy fire, his valiant skills as 
a bombardier directly saved the lives of his fellow crewmen on repeated 
occasions.
  During the war he saw firsthand the plight of his fellow Jews, the 
Holocaust survivors, and urgently began a letter-writing campaign to 
senior U.S. Government officials, as well as to President Truman.
  Through his determination, U.S. policies towards these victims and 
other displaced persons were enacted so as to provide the food, shelter 
and clothing they desperately needed to begin new lives.
  Today we honor Leonard Herman for his great service to his country 
and his humanitarian achievements by naming this post office for him.
  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a distinguished and 
decorated Jewish war veteran, Mr. Leonard Herman, by naming the postal 
facility at 601 Banyan Trail in Boca Raton, Florida, as the Leonard W. 
Herman Post Office. Mr. Herman signed up for two tours of duty during 
World War II, serving as First Lieutenant from December 12, 1942 
through January 29, 1946. His courage during the war and the tenacity 
with which he fought, after the war, to change U.S. policy towards the 
survivors and displaced persons of concentration camps makes him a real 
American hero.
  As a bombardier in the United States Army, Leonard Herman flew 
numerous combat missions over Germany and committed numerous acts of 
bravery that helped save countless lives. On October 8, 1943, he shot 
down an enemy fighter aircraft as it closed in on his plane. This 
courageous act saved his crewmen and earned him the Distinguished 
Flying Cross Award. In addition, the heroism he displayed during his 
tour won him several high honors, including an Air Medal, three Oak 
Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart.
  Perhaps one of Mr. Herman's greatest achievements was his 
contribution to the efforts of a few young soldiers, including his 
brother Edward Herman, who sought to save the lives of thousands of 
``survivors'' of German concentration camps who continued to die 
because of the lack of adequate food, clothing and medical supplies. 
According to the accounts of Professor Robert L. Hilliard, ``Lt. 
Leonard Herman took it upon himself to advise and seek the help from 
many of our government leaders regarding the plight of the survivors. 
His efforts were instrumental in President Truman's learning about the 
Displaced Persons situation in U.S. occupied Germany. The President 
changed U.S. policy and issued orders to provide the assistance and 
material needed by the Holocaust survivors. Lt. Herman played an 
important role in saving thousands of their lives.''
  It is my greatest honor to sponsor this legislation that will 
recognize Mr. Leonard Herman for his bravery and service to this 
country. The Post Office designation is a fitting and long overdue 
tribute. I urge Members of the Committee to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, to close, I want to commend the 
gentleman from Florida for introducing this resolution. We have no 
further speakers, and I would 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. 1722.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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