[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 11, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H15244-H15245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TURRILL POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 4009) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 567 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer, Michigan, as 
the ``Turrill Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4009

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

[[Page H15245]]

     SECTION 1. TURRILL POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 567 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer, 
     Michigan, shall be known and designated as the ``Turrill 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 ``Turrill Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) 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'm pleased to join my colleague from 
California in the consideration of H.R. 4009, which names a postal 
facility in Lapeer, Michigan, after the Turrill family.
  H.R. 4009, which was introduced by Representative Candice Miller on 
October 30, 2007, was reported from the oversight committee on November 
11, 2007, by voice vote. This measure, which has been cosponsored by 14 
Members, has the support of the entire Michigan congressional 
delegation.
  The Turrill family dates back to the earliest settlers in the Lapeer 
area. They are a strong representation of what Lapeer is founded upon 
and are remembered as honest, hardworking farmers and leaders within 
the community. Dr. Miner Turrill arrived in Lapeer in 1832 and was the 
first postmaster of the county. When Lapeer was incorporated as a city 
in 1869, James Turrill was the first mayor. The City of Lapeer is 
historically touched by the efforts made by the Turrill family and 
their dedication as public servants.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I, too, have reviewed the post office naming 
and find it to be one of the most thoughtful and merit-oriented namings 
that we have had in a long time.
  And with that, I yield 10 minutes to the gentlelady from Michigan 
(Mrs. Miller), the author of this bill.

                              {time}  1400

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. I appreciate the gentleman's yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, as a representative in this House for the great 
community of Lapeer, Michigan, I rise in very, very strong support of 
this resolution to honor one of the founding families of this great 
community. Lapeer, Michigan, is truly an all-American city. Its 
population is just under 10,000 people, and it serves as the county 
seat for the County of Lapeer. The community is located at the base of 
Michigan's Thumb, and its heritage is deeply based in the agricultural 
tradition of Michigan. In fact, it is home to mainly family farms. 
Families have tilled the fertile soil of this area since the 
community's founding, and today these farms continue to serve as an 
important part of our breadbasket in Michigan. The community has always 
been home to the pioneering spirit and the can-do attitude that 
exemplifies America. And no family represents the spirit of this great 
community more than the Turrill family.
  In 1832, 5 years before Michigan joined the Union as a State, Dr. 
Miner Turrill settled in Lapeer with his elderly parents, and the 
Turrills became the third known family, actually, to settle in that 
area. Dr. Turrill and his family quickly became respected leaders in 
the community, and upon the opening of the Lapeer United States Post 
Office in 1833, Dr. Turrill became the area's first postmaster. For 
that alone it is fitting that the Lapeer Post Office be named in their 
honor. But the Turrills gave back so much more to this fine community.
  During the Civil War, many members of the Turrill family served the 
cause of freedom on behalf of the Union. This included Captain J.H. 
Turrill, who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the Union when he 
was killed in action at Antietam in 1862. In fact, the Lapeer Post of 
the Grand Army of the Republic was named in his honor and served as a 
gathering point for all of the veterans of that conflict from the area.
  In 1869, Lapeer was incorporated as a city in Michigan, and the 
voters elected James Turrill to serve as the first mayor of this 
community. The Turrills continued throughout the years to provide 
leadership to this great community, and they have been honored in many 
ways. Today you can drive on Turrill Avenue in Lapeer. Or you might 
live in Turrill Estates. And your children might attend the Turrill 
Elementary School in the Lapeer community schools. The people of this 
community have always honored the dedication to community and the 
contributions made by the Turrill family.
  Earlier this year, Mr. Speaker, I contacted the Lapeer County 
Historical Society, and I spoke to them about my desire to name the 
post office in Lapeer after a distinguished citizen from the community 
worthy of the honor. And I asked for their guidance and assistance on 
who was deserving of such an honor, and this was their response:
  ``The Lapeer County Historical Society recommends that the Lapeer 
Post Office be named the Turrill Post Office. The Turrill family dates 
back to the earliest settlement in the Lapeer area. They have always 
been remembered as honest, hardworking farmers and leaders of the 
Lapeer community . . . A committee was appointed and met on July 6 to 
review a 2-page list of names. Turrill was the unanimous choice.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is entirely appropriate that this House take this 
action today to honor one of the pioneering families in a great 
Michigan community, a family that worked hard to give back to the 
community, a family that took a leadership role in shaping the 
community, earned its respect, and has a highly valued place in the 
history of Lapeer, Michigan.
  I want to thank the members of the Lapeer Historical Society for 
their assistance and their guidance in this effort. And I thank the 
leadership today for bringing this legislation to the floor, and I will 
thank the Members of this House for their expected support in honoring 
this great family. And I certainly thank the members of the Turrill 
family who did so much to make Lapeer the wonderful community that it 
has become.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge my colleagues to adopt 
H.R. 4009, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Blumenauer). 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. 4009.
  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.

                          ____________________