[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 40 (Monday, March 10, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1423-H1424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1430
                  E. ARTHUR GRAY POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3196) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 20 Sussex Street in Port Jervis, New 
York, as the ``E. Arthur Gray Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3196

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

     SECTION 1. E. ARTHUR GRAY POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 20 Sussex Street in Port Jervis, New York, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``E. Arthur Gray 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 ``E. Arthur Gray Post Office Building''.

  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. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I stand with my colleagues from the Empire State of New York in 
consideration of H.R. 3196, which renames a postal facility in Port 
Jervis, New York, in honor of E. Arthur Gray, former mayor and 
statesman from Orange County, New York. H.R. 3196 enjoys the support of 
the entire congressional delegation from New York, and was introduced 
by my colleague Representative John Hall back on July 26, 2007. The 
measure was taken up by the Oversight Committee on February 26, 2008, 
and was passed by a voice vote.
  H.R. 3196 calls for honoring E. Arthur Gray's service to his 
community, State, and therefore his country by designating the post 
office in his hometown of Port Jervis, New York, as the E. Arthur Gray 
Post Office Building.
  E. Arthur Gray was Port Jervis's longest serving mayor, completing 
5\1/2\ terms from 1978 to 1988. After his tenure as mayor, in 1988 Gray 
became a New York State senator by ousting a 16-year incumbent. Gray 
represented New York's 39th District during his time in the New York 
legislature.
  A native and lifelong resident of Port Jervis, Gray began his 
professional career as cofounder and director of Gray-Parker Funeral 
Home in Port Jervis, New York, before entering the realm of public 
service and politics. Well-known throughout Orange County, New York, 
for his stellar high school basketball days at Port Jervis High School 
and as a World War II veteran, Gray gave unselfishly of himself by 
serving as the chairman of the Port Jervis Community Development 
Agency, a member of the Orange County Economic Development Agency and 
as chairman of the National League of Small Cities Advisory Council.
  Madam Speaker, in honor of E. Arthur Gray's public service and 
compassionate spirit, let us pass without reservation H.R. 3196 and 
rename the postal facility on Sussex Street in Port Jervis, New York, 
after this great American citizen.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill designating the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 Sussex 
Street in Port Jervis, New York, as the E. Arthur Gray Post Office 
Building.
  A native of Port Jervis, Arthur Gray spent a lifetime serving his 
community, State, and country. He was well-known in the community, 
first as a high school basketball star, then as a veteran of the Second 
World War who later became a local funeral home director.
  Mr. Gray accomplished a lot by the time he was elected to his first 
term as mayor of Port Jervis in 1978. Described as generous and always 
willing to lend a helping hand, Mayor Gray was the longest serving 
mayor in the history of Port Jervis, maintaining his position for five 
and a half terms until 1988, when he was elected to represent the 34th 
District in the New York State Senate.
  His commitment to the community extended far beyond his office doors. 
He was a former member and chairman of the Port Jervis Community 
Development Agency, a former member of the Orange County Economic 
Development Agency, former chairman of the National League of Small 
Cities Advisory Council, and participated in numerous local boards and 
organizations.
  Sadly, Arthur Gray died on April 10, 2007, at the age of 82. A loving 
husband, father of two, grandfather, and truly dedicated public 
servant, Arthur Gray exemplified civic duty and social responsibility. 
His contributions to his community and beyond will not soon be 
forgotten, and I urge that we accept this bill memorializing the 
tremendous life of this man.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this bill and 
yield back the balance of my time.

[[Page H1424]]

  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. 3196.
  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. WESTMORELAND. Madam 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.

                          ____________________