[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 133 (Monday, September 10, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10326-H10327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FRANK J. GUARINI POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 2467) to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 69 Montgomery Street in Jersey City,
New Jersey, as the ``Frank J. Guarini Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2467
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FRANK J. GUARINI POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 69 Montgomery Street in Jersey City, New
Jersey, shall be known and designated as the ``Frank J.
Guarini 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 ``Frank J. Guarini Post Office Building''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Sali) 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 such time as he may
consume to the author of this legislation, the former speaker of the
house assembly in New Jersey and a distinguished Member of this body,
Representative Albio Sires.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2467, which will
designate the U.S. Postal Service building at 69 Montgomery Street in
Jersey City, New Jersey, as the ``Frank J. Guarini Post Office
Building.''
Frank Guarini was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and has served his
State and country in a variety of positions. Early in his career, he
was commissioned as a Naval officer at Columbia University and went on
to serve in the United States Navy aboard the USS Mount McKinley,
receiving the Naval Commendation Medal and three battle stars during
World War II.
In 1965, he was elected to the New Jersey State Senate where he
served for the next 7 years. On January 3, 1979, he was elected to
represent New Jersey's 14th Congressional District in the United States
House of Representatives, completing seven terms before retiring in
1993.
As a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Frank Guarini
was a true champion for education, serving as the chief sponsor of
legislation that encouraged employers to provide educational assistance
to its employees tax free.
Even after his retirement, Frank Guarini's commitment to education
and public service has not wavered. In 1994, he established the Guarini
Center for Government Affairs at St. Peter's College in Jersey City,
New Jersey, which strives to provide a forum for nonpartisan discussion
of public policy issues and encourages today's students to take up
careers in public service.
A central part of the Guarini Center's mission is to promote critical
thinking and debate among the next generation of leaders at its Annual
High School Oratorical Contest. The event is open to all high school
students in New Jersey and throughout the tri-State area and attracts
more than 100 students from 75 schools to compete each year.
I have known Frank Guarini for many years, and I can personally
attest to the commitment and passion that he has for the State of New
Jersey and this country.
{time} 1215
I can think of no better way to honor the public service of this
former New Jersey Congressman than to designate a U.S. postal office in
his name.
I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.
[[Page H10327]]
Mr. SALI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 2467 honors the life of Frank J. Guarini in naming a post office
for him in his hometown of Jersey City, New Jersey. Frank J. Guarini, a
former Congressman and prominent public figure, has dedicated his life
to serving his country and community.
He was born in 1924 in Jersey City, New Jersey. His sense of civic
duty and honor began at an early age, and as a young man, he was
commissioned as a Navy officer at Columbia University. From there, he
went on to serve in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Mount McKinley.
After his military career ended, he was elected to the New Jersey
State Senate where he served for the following seven years. In 1979, he
won election to serve in the House of Representatives, where he
completed seven terms before retiring in 1993.
On his return to private life, he has been active in his community
and supports the library of New Jersey City University, which has been
named in his honor. He is the chairman of the National Italian American
Foundation, and through it, he created the Frank J. Guarini public
policy forums. The forums feature local and national government leaders
discussing issues such as public policy, international economy, trade
and foreign affairs.
I support H.R. 2467 in the naming of the post office in Jersey City,
New Jersey, for Frank J. Guarini.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
might consume.
Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the
consideration of H.R. 2467, which names a postal facility in Jersey
City, New Jersey, after Frank Guarini.
H.R. 2467, which was introduced by Representative Albio Sires on May
23, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 19, 2007,
by voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire New Jersey
congressional delegation.
Mr. Frank Guarini was born on August 20, 1924, in Jersey City, New
Jersey. Former Congressman Guarini served his State and country in a
variety of positions. Early in his career, he was commissioned as a
naval officer at Columbia University and went on to serve in the United
States Navy aboard the USS Mount McKinley.
In 1965, he was elected to the New Jersey State Senate where he
served for the next 7 years. On January 3, 1979, he was elected to
represent New Jersey's 14th Congressional District in the United States
House of Representatives, completing seven terms before retiring in
1993.
Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Albio Sires, for
introducing this legislation and urge swift passage.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2467,
which would designate the Post Office facility located at 69 Montgomery
Street in Jersey City, NJ, as the ``Frank J. Guarini Post Office
Building.''
Former Congressman Frank J. Guarini represented the 14th
Congressional District of New Jersey for 14 years, from 1979 to 1993.
He did so in an exemplary fashion, serving his constituents, and all
Americans, in a way in which we should strive to attain.
Because of his intellect and work ethic he became a rising star early
in his career. He was the first Representative to be appointed to the
Ways and Means Committee during his first term in Congress in over 200
years.
While on this vital committee, Mr. Guarini worked to modernize our
trade and tariff laws with heads of state to assure that other
countries open their markets to the United States.
In recognition of this work, he received the award ``for outstanding
contributions to the administration of justice in International Trade
Law'' from the U.S. Court of International Trade.
He also served with Chairman Charles Rangel and Ben Gilman on the
Select Committee on Narcotic Abuse, developing expertise on drug issues
and bringing about vital legislation and strategies to fight the war
against drugs both here and abroad.
In addition, Mr. Guarini was a senior member of the Budget Committee,
where he chaired the Task Force on Urgent Fiscal Issues. Throughout his
distinguished career, Mr. Guarini was an outspoken advocate for fiscal
responsibility and fought to provide education and job opportunities
for our Nation's young while also reducing wasteful government
spending.
Since his retirement from Government service, Congressman Guarini has
proudly served as the National Italian-American Foundation's chairman
emeritus.
As co-chair of the Italian-American Congressional Delegation, Frank
and I often work together to promote Italian-American culture and
traditions in the United States Congress. Just like his congressional
career, he does an extraordinary job on this front.
I am proud to be the first New Jersey Member of Congress to serve on
the Ways and Means Committee since Mr. Guarini's retirement in 1993.
Mr. Guarini was a great Member of this body and I am honored to call
him my friend.
I would like to thank my New Jersey colleague Albio Sires for
introducing this resolution and honoring Mr. Guarini, and I urge my
colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I don't have any additional
speakers, but I am going to reserve for the gentleman from Idaho, and
then I will close.
Mr. SALI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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 Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2467.
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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