[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H2561-H2562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ALONZO WOODRUFF POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 5479) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 117 North Kidd Street in Ionia, 
Michigan, as the ``Alonzo Woodruff Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5479

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

     SECTION 1. ALONZO WOODRUFF POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 117 North Kidd Street in Ionia, Michigan, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Alonzo Woodruff 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 ``Alonzo Woodruff Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) 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.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I stand for the purpose to move H.R. 5479, which 
seeks to pay tribute to a Civil War veteran and hero, Mr. Alonzo 
Woodruff, by designating the North Kidd Street Post Office Building in 
Ionia, Michigan, after this forgotten soldier.
  H.R. 5479's introduction came on February 25, 2008, introduced by 
Representative Vernon Ehlers of the great State of Michigan and is 
cosponsored by the State's entire congressional delegation. The measure 
was considered and approved by the Oversight and Government Reform 
committee on March 13, 2008, which brings us to this morning's 
discussion on the measure.
  History reveals that Alonzo Woodruff was a Union soldier during our 
country's Civil War and received the Medal of Honor for his courageous 
acts of service at the 1864 Civil War Battle of Hatcher's Run in 
Virginia.
  Mr. Woodruff's story of heroism and service provides an interesting 
glimpse into 19th century history. According to legend, Alonzo Woodruff 
was only 22 years old and recently married when the Michigan farmer 
joined the Union cause at the end of 1861. Two years later, Woodruff 
risked his life in hand-to-hand combat when he charged into Confederate 
lines to rescue a fellow soldier.
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of Mr. Woodruff's heroism and dedication to 
preserving the United States, I would urge that we pass H.R. 5479 
without reservation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would recognize the author of 
this resolution, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), for as much 
time as he may consume.
  Mr. EHLERS. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Perhaps the best part about this particular bill and our action on it 
is to inform us once again how important it is to remember those who 
have served this country well and have passed on, and to not forget 
them, because in this case, an entire community, after a period of 145 
years, forgot the significance of this individual.
  I rise today in support of this bill to designate the Ionia, 
Michigan, Post Office, located in my district, as the ``Alonzo Woodruff 
Post Office Building.''
  Earlier this year, students from Ms. Maureen Powell's eighth grade 
American social studies class at Ionia Middle School heard about Alonzo 
Woodruff and the fact that the community had neglected him. They raised 
private funds, with the assistance of VFW member Commander Denny 
Craycraft, to place a monument honoring Alonzo Woodruff in front of the 
Ionia Courthouse. I attended that ceremony and learned a great deal 
about Alonzo Woodruff, a sergeant on the Union side during the Civil 
War, who was an amazing man and did much for his country.
  A Michigan native, Sergeant Woodruff was born near Detroit in 1839 
and was married to Harriet Hill in 1859 in Ionia County. Alonzo 
Woodruff was 22 years old when he joined the Union cause in 1861. At 
the Battle of Hatcher's Run in Virginia, Sergeant Woodruff fought, in 
hand-to-hand battle, to save and free a fellow soldier. He did this 
again on the same day by charging Confederate lines single-handedly to 
rescue another comrade held by a Confederate soldier. Sergeant Woodruff 
even made the Confederate soldier his prisoner. For these actions, he 
was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  Both Patricia Provot and Sandra Provot Elmer, great-great-
granddaughters of Alonzo Woodruff, support this initiative, as does 
Mayor Dan Belice of the city of Ionia.
  It is most appropriate to honor Sergeant Woodruff by naming this post 
office building in his honor. We must remember the sacrifices made not 
only during the Civil War, but in every war, by prominently displaying 
Sergeant Woodruff's name in the Ionia Post Office. It is my hope that 
more people will remember and honor the bravery of all our young men 
and women who are fighting for our country.
  I urge all Members to support this bill.
  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of this bill to designate the facility of the 
U.S. Postal Service located at 117 North Kidd Street in Ionia, 
Michigan, as the ``Alonzo Woodruff Post Office Building.''
  Born near Detroit in March of 1839, Alonzo Woodruff was a simple man. 
He was a farmer by trade, but the recently married Woodruff decided to 
join the Union Army when tensions flared between the North and the 
South. He was 22 years of age at the time. In March of 1862, he was 
assigned to the 1st U.S. Regiment of Sharpshooters.
  In October of 1864, Union forces continued their advance on 
Confederate lines at Hatcher's Run, Virginia. It was on October 27, 
1864 that this simple farmer earned a place as an American hero. Posted 
on the extreme left of the Union line, Sergeant Woodruff and his 
comrade in arms, Corporal John Howard, encountered Confederate forces 
flanking their position. After discharging their weapons and being 
unable to reload, Corporal Howard engaged the Confederate leader in 
hand-to-hand combat, only to be overwhelmed and severely wounded in 
both legs. Unloaded rifle in hand, Sergeant Woodruff fell upon the 
Confederate soldiers and through desperate hand-to-hand combat rescued 
Corporal Howard and facilitated their escape.
  Additional accounts claim that later that same day, upon witnessing a

[[Page H2562]]

wounded private from his company being marched away as a prisoner by a 
rebel soldier, Woodruff again took decisive and brave action. Though he 
was severely wounded in the struggle, Woodruff succeeded in freeing his 
comrade, and in turn made the Confederate soldier his prisoner.
  On January 29, 1896, Sergeant Alonzo Woodruff was awarded the Medal 
of Honor. His citation reads, ``Went to the assistance of a wounded and 
overpowered comrade, and in a hand-to-hand encounter effected his 
rescue.''
  After the war, Woodruff settled in Lake County, Michigan, where he 
and his wife raised their three children. Alonzo Woodruff passed away 
in 1917, a true American hero.
  I would urge my colleagues to support this bill honoring the life and 
actions of a simple man who answered the call to fight for the sound 
future of his country. In a violent and difficult time, his bravery 
embodies a commitment not only to his comrades, but also to his 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage and 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. 5479.
  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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