[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 166 (Tuesday, October 30, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H12196-H12197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 DENNIS P. COLLINS POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3307) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 570 Broadway in Bayonne, New Jersey, as the ``Dennis 
P. Collins Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3307

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

     SECTION 1. DENNIS P. COLLINS POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 570 Broadway in Bayonne, New Jersey, shall 
     be known and designated as the ``Dennis P. Collins 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 ``Dennis P. Collins Post Office 
     Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. 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 Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the House Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in 
the consideration of H.R. 3307, which names a postal facility in 
Bayonne, New Jersey, after Dennis P. Collins.
  H.R. 3307, which was introduced by Representative Albio Sires on 
August 1, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 
20 of 2007 by voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire 
New Jersey congressional delegation.
  Mr. Speaker, Dennis P. Collins was a veteran of World War II and 
served in the U.S. Army for 3 years. In 1974, the people of Bayonne, 
recognizing Mr. Collins's abilities and his love for the community, 
elected him as mayor when Mayor Fitzpatrick decided not to run for 
another term. He was re-elected in 1978, 1982 and in 1986. He served 
for 16 consecutive years.
  In 1990, Mr. Collins retired as mayor, but remains active in public 
life. He received numerous awards and honors for his years of public 
service.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Albio Sires, for 
introducing this legislation, and urge the swift passage of the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today to join my fellow Members of Congress in recognizing 
Dennis Collins and his extraordinary contributions to Bayonne, New 
Jersey. Fortunately for Bayonne, Mr. Collins missed his trip on the 
Titanic to visit family members back in Ireland. If it were not for 
this fortunate coincidence, the rest of Mr. Collins's biography most 
likely would not be possible.
  Mr. Collins was born and raised in Bayonne, where he attended St. 
Vincent De Paul Grammar School and the Holy Family Academy. As a young 
man, he served in World War II, including time in the China-Burma-India 
theater of operations. Upon his return, he went to work for Tidewater 
Oil Company, General Motors, Edward F. Clark Real Estate and Insurance 
Agency, and Bayonne Water and Sewer Utility.
  Ultimately, it was his interest in the community that led Mr. Collins 
to seek political office. In 1962, Mr. Collins was elected to his first 
of three terms on the municipal council, two of which he served as 
council president. In 1974, he was elected to serve as mayor of the 
City of Bayonne. His popularity in the

[[Page H12197]]

community was so immense that he served for the next 16 years. He 
currently holds the record for Bayonne as the first individual to serve 
seven consecutive 4-year terms in elective office and four consecutive 
4-year terms as mayor.
  Mr. Collins retired in 1990 as mayor, but he continues to be an 
active and committed leader to the citizens of Bayonne.
  Mr. Collins's reputation as a public servant was forged by his 
compassion and interest in helping his fellow citizens. His legacy and 
service to others is a wonderful example to his children, grandchildren 
and to the citizens of Bayonne and beyond.
  With gratitude for his devotion and service to the Bayonne community, 
it is particularly fitting that we name the United States Postal 
Service building located at 570 Broadway in his honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Sires).
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3307, a bill 
to designate the post office on Broadway in Bayonne, New Jersey, as the 
Dennis P. Collins Post Office. Mayor Collins is a legend in my 
congressional district for his long-time public service to the people 
of his community and the State of New Jersey.
  Before entering elected public office, Mayor Collins served his 
country during World War II in the U.S. Army for 3 years, including 
time in the China-Burma and India theater of operations. In 1962, Mayor 
Collins won his first election to public life by serving on the Bayonne 
Municipal Council. He went on to serve two more terms, both as council 
president.
  In 1974, Dennis Collins ran and won his first term as the mayor of 
Bayonne. Mayor Collins served in his role as mayor of Bayonne for the 
next 16 years before retiring in 1990.
  Even though he no longer has an official position, Mayor Collins 
remains available to elected officials and citizens alike to advise and 
support.
  As a former mayor in the same county as Mayor Collins, he served as a 
role model for me and many other mayors in the region. I always admired 
how Mayor Collins ran his city so efficiently, while never losing sight 
of the needs of his constituents. I see no better way to honor him 
today than by passing this bill to name this Bayonne Post Office after 
him so his legacy can continue in the city forever.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I simply rise to commend the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Sires) for introducing this very appropriate and 
fitting legislation, and I urge its support by all of our colleagues.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 
3307, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 3307.
  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. CLAY. 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 motion will be 
postponed.

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