[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H1272-H1273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               YVONNE INGRAM-EPHRAIM POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 663) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 12877 Broad Street in Sparta, Georgia, as the 
``Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 663

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

     SECTION 1. YVONNE INGRAM-EPHRAIM POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 12877 Broad Street in Sparta, Georgia, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim 
     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 ``Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post Office 
     Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. 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 Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, as Chair of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction 
of the United States Postal Service, I am pleased to present for 
consideration H.R. 663 which renames the postal facility located at 
12877 Broad Street in Sparta, Georgia, as the ``Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim 
Post Office building.''
  A lifelong public servant, Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim rose from public 
school teacher to become the first African American elected to serve on 
the city council of Sparta, Georgia.
  H.R. 663 has the support of the entire Georgia congressional 
delegation, and the measure was authored by my friend from Georgia, 
Representative John Barrow, who at this moment I'd like to yield to for 
4 minutes to speak further on the bill.
  Mr. BARROW. I thank the gentleman, and I thank the chairman of the 
committee, Mr. Towns, and the ranking member, Mr. Issa, for advancing 
the consideration of this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 663, a bill to 
designate the post office in Sparta, Georgia, as the ``Yvonne Ingram-
Ephraim Post Office Building.''
  Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim--or ``Von'' as she was known to all who knew 
and loved her--was one of Sparta's most respected citizens before her 
untimely death nearly 2 years ago. Von was the first African American 
to be elected to the Sparta city government when she was elected city 
councilwoman in 1992, and she was re-elected three more times before 
her passing.
  As a former four-term city councilman myself, I can tell you that 
doing what it takes to keep folks in your hometown happy enough to keep 
you in office for that many terms is no easy task.
  In 1997, she was appointed Mayor pro-tem of Sparta, a title she held 
until her death in 2007. During this time, she also served as secretary 
of the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials, one of our 
State's most respected and influential political organizations.
  Von married Reverend Michael Ephraim in 2000 and found herself 
managing the demands of a preacher's wife, mother, fourth grade school 
teacher, and elected official. Any one of those jobs is big enough, but 
Von was able to perform each of these roles in such a way as to make 
all those around her feel loved and respected.
  On a purely personal note, Von was a good friend to me, and showed by 
her example that the things we have in common are a whole lot more 
important than the things that tend to divide us.
  And I can't think of a better way to commemorate her example than to

[[Page H1273]]

pass this legislation, which would give us all a lasting reminder of 
what Von accomplished during her too-short life on this earth.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of this bill to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 12877 Broad Street in Sparta, 
Georgia, as the ``Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post Office Building.''
  Born on January 12, 1965, in Bibb County, Georgia, Yvonne Ingram-
Ephraim--or ``Von'' as she was known by those close to her--was a 
generous and passionate member of the community.
  Having grown up in Hancock County, she graduated from high school in 
1982 before continuing her education at Macon Technical College. Driven 
by a desire to serve her country, she took time off from her education 
to enlist in the United States Air Force Reserve.
  After basic training, she continued her academic pursuits at Fort 
Valley State College where she earned a bachelor's in home economics 
and a master's in elementary education. Her thirst for knowledge 
unquenched, in 1997 Von received her Educational Specialist degree in 
Elementary Education from Troy State University.
  After graduation, she returned to Hancock County where she worked as 
a teacher and assisted part time at the family business, the Ingram 
Brothers Funeral Home, as a funeral director apprentice and staff 
member.
  Always devoted to her community, Yvonne became active in politics 
through the Hancock County Democratic Executive Committee. In 1992, she 
became the first African American elected to serve on the city council 
and later served as Mayor pro-tem for the City of Sparta.
  Throughout her life, Von nourished a tremendous connection to her 
faith. Joining the Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church at a very 
young age, she remained an active member of the church throughout her 
life. In December of 2000, Yvonne married the love of her life, 
Reverend Michael G. Ephraim, Senior.
  Sadly, in April of 2007, Von passed away. This devoted wife, mother, 
and friend will forever be remembered for her loving generosity to 
those around her.
  I rise today to urge my colleagues to support this legislation so 
that the accomplishments and qualities of this wonderful citizen will 
not soon be forgotten.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the 
passage of H.R. 663. I have no additional speakers.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, again, I stand with my colleagues, 
especially our sponsor, Representative John Barrow of Georgia, in full 
support of H.R. 663 to designate the ``Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post 
Office Building,'' and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 663.
  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. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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