[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H2848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING ANTHONY ``TONY'' J. CORTESE

  (Mr. HONDA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and work of my 
friend, Anthony ``Tony'' J. Cortese. For the past four decades, Mr. 
Cortese was a proud and dedicated employee of the United States Postal 
Service.
  I am proud to stand on the floor today in support of H.R. 4543, 
legislation to designate the Westgate Station Post Office in my 
district of San Jose, California, in memory of Mr. Cortese. I would 
also like to thank my good friend and the sponsor of this legislation, 
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, for working closely with me on this effort.
  Mr. Cortese was born in the San Francisco Bay area and moved to Santa 
Clara County with his family after his father took a job at the Ford 
plant in Milpitas. A few years after graduating James Lick High School 
in San Jose, Mr. Cortese started working as a letter carrier in the 
downtown San Jose post office.
  Mr. Cortese was a tireless advocate for letter carriers in the region 
and made a significant impact on our community. In addition to his 42 
years with the Postal Service, Mr. Cortese served 27 years as the 
president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Local 193. 
Under his leadership, this local procured a building for its members, 
secured expanded health benefits, and provided an open forum for 
discussion with union members, community advocates, and local elected 
officials.
  Throughout his tenure, Mr. Cortese developed strong relationships 
with postal workers and management. His legacy and accomplishments at 
the Postal Service will not be forgotten.
  Once again, Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Anthony Cortese, 
and ask my colleagues to support naming a post office in his honor. I 
want to congratulate the family, and I want to give a personal thanks, 
because without his work my family would not have benefited from the 
kinds of things he has done in our community.

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