[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 190 (Monday, December 12, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H8327-H8328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1640
WAYNE GRISHAM POST OFFICE
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2158) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the
``Wayne Grisham Post Office''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2158
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. WAYNE GRISHAM POST OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada,
California, shall be known and designated as the ``Wayne
Grisham 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 ``Wayne Grisham Post Office''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Issa) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 2158, introduced by my colleague and friend, the gentlelady from
California, Ms. Linda Sanchez, would designate the facility of the
United States Post Office located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada,
California, as the ``Wayne Grisham Post Office.''
This bill enjoys bipartisan support. In fact, every Member of the
California delegation supports it, all 53.
Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that Wayne Grisham, a man who
dedicated his life to public service, be recognized. Born in 1923, Mr.
Grisham served as a fighter pilot in World War II and was shot down
over Germany, earning a Purple Heart.
After a successful career in real estate, Mr. Grisham was elected to
the La Mirada City Council, where he served for 8 years. In 1978, he
was elected to serve as a Member of this body, representing
California's 33rd Congressional District. He served for two terms.
In 1983, he was appointed by then President Reagan to serve as the
director of the Peace Corps in Kenya. After his service in Kenya, Mr.
Grisham was elected to the California State Assembly in 1984, where he
served until 1998.
Sadly, Mr. Speaker, on January of this year, Mr. Grisham died at the
age of 88. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, his son, daughter,
and five grandchildren.
After his death, he was described by the distinguished chairman of
the Rules Committee, Mr. Dreier--who Mr. Grisham lost to in a 1982
reelection bid--as being the model of civility and a true gentleman.
Mr. Speaker, we don't hear that very much in this body. I'll repeat it;
as the model of civility and a true gentleman.
I urge Members to join me in supporting this legislation in honoring
a true public servant.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I join with my colleague from the other side of the aisle and rise in
support of H.R. 2158, which would rename the U.S. postal facility at
14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the ``Wayne Grisham
Post Office.''
This bill was first introduced by my colleague and friend,
Representative Linda Sanchez of California. The bill is widely
supported by the members of the California delegation and has been
properly vetted and approved by the Oversight and Government Reform
Committee.
At this time I would like to yield such time as she may consume to my
good friend and colleague, Ms. Sanchez.
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in
strong support of H.R. 2158, a bill which would designate the facility
of the United States Postal Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La
Mirada as the Wayne Grisham Post Office.
We could not be honoring a more deserving member of the Southern
California community. Wayne Grisham dedicated his life to our country
and to southern California. He valiantly served as a fighter pilot
during World War II and was held as a prisoner of war when his plane
was shot down over Germany. Mr. Grisham was awarded the Purple Heart
and Air Medal for his courageous service.
After the war, Wayne returned home to Whittier College, where he
earned a bachelor's degree in economics and went on to teach elementary
school in Long Beach. Eventually, an entrepreneurial spirit led Mr.
Grisham to open his own realty business in La Mirada, which he
maintained for much of his life.
A self-described ``conservative do-gooder,'' his dedication to our
local community was truly remarkable. Mr. Grisham proudly served the
city of La Mirada for over two decades, beginning in 1970 when he was
elected to the city council. He later went on to be the mayor of that
city.
Wayne once said, ``I think of myself as an average guy, and I think
it was the average guy who elected me.'' It was that connection with
the community that guided Wayne throughout his career.
Mr. Grisham continued his service to the community with his election
to Congress in 1978 and the California State Assembly in 1984. He also
lent his talents to the Peace Corps, serving as director in Kenya.
More important than his dedication to our local community was Wayne's
life as a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He married his
high school sweetheart, Millie Watt, in 1944 and had three beautiful
children--Cathy, Randy, and Kellie. Wayne was also blessed with seven
grandchildren.
Wayne's daughter Kellie recently remembered her father this way: ``He
was always smiling and always had a kind word. He loved when he could
help people. He took great pride in the work he
[[Page H8328]]
did for the city of La Mirada, the State of California, and the United
States of America. He was a genuinely sincere person with great
integrity. He believed in treating everyone with respect.''
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the service
and memory of this dedicated civic leader.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor to yield such time as he
may consume to a friend and colleague who would like to speak on Mr.
Grisham's behalf, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).
Mr. LEWIS of California. I want to first say I very much appreciate
my colleagues' recognizing the service of our dear friend Wayne
Grisham.
In my early days in the Congress, Arlene and I spent a good deal of
time with Wayne and Millie. We traveled together and talked often of
other trips we could take with one another. Our favorite place in the
West, for example, is Catalina Island, and we had planned to spend at
least one weekend--if not many--there together. It is with great regret
that I rise today in recognition of his passing in January.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, having no additional speakers, I urge my
colleagues to support H.R. 2158, which renames the La Miranda,
California, post office after Mr. Wayne Grisham, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I arise to honor the life of my
friend and colleague Wayne Grisham. During our early years in Congress,
Wayne and his wife Millie became our dear friends. We traveled together
and often talked of a weekend at our mutual favorite place in the
west--Catalina Island. We miss them both in our lives.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2158.
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. ISSA. Mr. 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, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
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