[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 17, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1537-H1538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ROY WILSON POST OFFICE

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4214) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 45300 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert, California, as 
the ``Roy Wilson Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4214

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

     SECTION 1. ROY WILSON POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 45300 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert, 
     California, shall be known and designated as the ``Roy Wilson 
     Post Office''.
       (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 ``Roy Wilson Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. 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 Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4214, a bill to designate 
the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 45300 Portola Avenue 
in Palm Desert, California, as the ``Roy Wilson Post Office.'' The late 
Roy Wilson devoted his career to public service, serving as county 
supervisor for Riverside County, California, for 15 years. This 
followed 17 years of service on the Palm Desert City Council.
  His passing last August brought a great deal of sadness to his 
colleagues, his staff, and his community. He is remembered for working 
with his colleagues to find common ground and to seek compromise. His 
hard work earned the respect and trust of his colleagues and 
constituents, and today, with this measure, we honor his life and 
service.
  This bill was introduced by the gentlewoman from California, 
Representative Mary Bono Mack, on December 7, 2009. It was referred to 
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it 
reported by unanimous consent on March 4, 2010.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
measure.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILBRAY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4214, designating the 
facility of the United States Post Office located at 45300 Portola 
Avenue in Palm Desert, California, as the ``Roy Wilson Post Office.''
  I think my illustrious colleague from Missouri said it very well. I 
think there is no reason to repeat more. Mr. Wilson served his 
community in many ways. As a former county supervisor myself, I think 
it is very appropriate to recognize how important that level of 
government, the county government, especially in California, is, and 
the many years of service that Mr. Wilson gave his community, not just 
as a county supervisor but in many other forms that are quite 
appropriate.
  I am proud to join the gentleman from Missouri and the gentlelady, 
Mary Bono Mack, from California, in supporting this resolution.
  I reserve my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I have no speakers, so I will continue to 
reserve.
  Mrs. BONO MACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and 
legacy of a dear friend and selfless public leader. Serving one of our 
State's fastest growing regions, Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson 
passed away in August after many years of service to our community. I 
consider it a great privilege to honor this remarkable and humble man 
by naming a post office located in Supervisor Wilson's home town of 
Palm Desert, CA, as the Roy Wilson Post Office.
  Some of my colleagues representing nearby Districts in southern 
California may remember Roy Wilson and his many years of outstanding 
work on behalf of residents of our region. His integrity and steady 
leadership was invaluable and he has been missed by all who knew and 
loved him. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his loving 
wife, Aurora, and the rest of his family.
  Roy Wilson represented the 4th District of Riverside County for 15 
years, following 17 years of service on the Palm Desert City Council. 
Roy worked on many issues important to members of our community such as 
improving air quality, providing valuable education, and reducing 
spending to help strengthen the county's budget.
  For many years, Roy Wilson taught at our local community college, 
College of the Desert, in Palm Desert, California. This campus has for 
decades been an important educational resource to local residents 
wishing to pursue higher education. Roy was instrumental in helping the 
campus grow and excel.
  In addition, Roy Wilson worked to help protect the environment in our 
region through his

[[Page H1538]]

service of 22 years on the governing board of the South Coast Air 
Quality Management District. Our desert community attracts residents 
and visitors through its natural beauty, hiking trails and mountainous 
views. Through Roy Wilson's leadership, he truly helped preserve the 
health and well-being of our unique environment.
  In recent years, as our County faced significant financial 
challenges, Roy moved to rein in spending in order to help improve the 
budget--difficult, but necessary in these financially troubling times.
  The many capacities in which Roy worked to the betterment of our 
community are clear, but his humble leadership is what truly made him 
so unique and effective. Roy was able to engage in both sides of any 
discussion and truly earned the trust and respect of many local 
residents and leaders.
  As a cherished member of our community, where many residents called 
him a friend and neighbor, this postal naming would be a special 
tribute to the late Supervisor Roy Wilson.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring this exceptional man and 
helping me and residents living in our community honor his life and 
legacy.
  I'd like to thank Subcommittee Chairman Lynch and Ranking Member 
Chaffetz for their help in moving this bill forward.
  Mr. BILBRAY. Madam Speaker, in the spirit of cooperation with the 
leadership, I will at this time yield back my time, and I ask for 
support of the bill.
  Mr. CLAY. I thank my friend from California (Mr. Bilbray) for joining 
me in urging our colleagues to recognize the life and work of Roy 
Wilson by supporting this measure, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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. 4214.
  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. CLAY. 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.

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