[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H9366-H9367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1915
         J. JAMES EXON FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION BUILDING

  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the Senate bill (S. 3009) to designate the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation building under construction in Omaha, Nebraska, as the 
``J. James Exon Federal Bureau of Investigation Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
  The text of the Senate bill is as follows:

                                S. 3009

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

     SECTION 1. J. JAMES EXON FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 
                   BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The Federal Bureau of Investigation 
     building under construction at the intersection of 120th and 
     L Streets in Omaha, Nebraska, shall be known and designated 
     as the ``J. James Exon Federal Bureau of Investigation 
     Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     building referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the J. James Exon Federal Bureau of 
     Investigation Building.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Maryland (Ms. Edwards) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 3009.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3009, a bill introduced by 
Senator Nelson of Nebraska to honor the distinguished career of former 
Senator J. James Exon.
  J. James Exon was born on August 9, 1921, in Geddes, South Dakota. 
After graduating from the University of Omaha, he joined the United 
States Army Signal Corps serving 2 years overseas in New Guinea, the 
Philippines, and Japan. He was honorably discharged as a master 
sergeant in December of 1945 and served in the Army Reserve until 1949. 
In 1954, Exon founded Exon's Incorporated, which became one of 
Nebraska's best-known office equipment companies.
  The bill designates the FBI building under construction in Omaha, 
Nebraska, in honor of Senator Exon. Senator Exon served two terms as 
Governor of Nebraska from 1971 to 1979. In 1978, he was elected to the 
United States Senate and served for three terms in the U.S. Senate. He 
was not a candidate for reelection in 1996. Senator Exon died in June 
of this year at the age of 83.
  I support S. 3009 and urge my colleagues to also support this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This legislation would name the Federal Bureau of Investigation 
Building in Omaha, Nebraska, the ``J. James Exon Federal Bureau of 
Investigation Building.''
  J. James Exon had a long and distinguished career in public service. 
He was born in Geddes, South Dakota, in 1921 and attended the 
University of Omaha. During World War II, Senator Exon served in the 
United States Army Signal Corps, and he continued to serve in the Army 
Reserve after he was honorably discharged in 1945.
  Following the war, Senator Exon moved to the private sector, 
eventually starting his own business in 1953. He also became active in 
the political process leading to his election as Governor of Nebraska 
in 1971.
  Senator Exon represented the citizens of the State of Nebraska as 
Governor for 8 years. As Governor of Nebraska, he developed a 
reputation of holding the line on taxes and spending. His commitment to 
service and his popularity led to his election as a U.S.

[[Page H9367]]

Senator in 1979, and he served in that capacity for 18 years.
  With the exception of the late Senator George Norris, Senator Exon 
was the only Nebraskan to win five consecutive statewide elections.
  Even after retiring from the U.S. Senate in 1997, Senator Exon 
continued to serve his country. He was appointed to a congressionally 
created committee led by the former Director of Central Intelligence, 
John M. Deutch, to examine the threat of weapons of mass destruction. 
Even then, he warned of the very real threat of terrorism.
  Senator Exon had a long and distinguished career in serving the State 
of Nebraska and the Nation. It is a fitting tribute to Senator Exon's 
service that this building be named after him.
  I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the 
same.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. If the gentlelady has no additional speakers, then I 
will close.
  Again, I would just urge my colleagues to vote to adopt this measure.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 3009 a bill 
to honor the civic contributions of former Senator J. James Exon.
  Senator J. James Exon was born in South Dakota in 1921. He attended 
public schools, and graduated from the University of Omaha. Following 
graduation, he served in the United States Army Signal Corp from 1942-
1945.
  Senator Exon's political career began as a member of the Nebraska 
Democratic State Central Committee. He was also a member of the 
Democratic National Committee and Chaired the Nebraska Democratic Party 
from 1968 to 1970. He then served two terms as Governor of Nebraska 
and, in 1978, was elected to the U.S. Senate. He served three terms in 
the United States Senate before retiring in 1996. Following his 
retirement from the Senate, Senator Exon served on the Deutch 
Commission, which was created by Congress to study the threat of 
weapons of mass destruction.
  On June 10, 2005, Senator Exon passed away.
  This is a fitting tribute to Senator Exon's long career in public 
service, and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the bill.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 3009.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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