[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 164 (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H7333-H7334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SIDNEY ``SID'' SANDERS McMATH POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3869) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 600 East Capitol Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas, as 
the ``Sidney `Sid' Sanders McMath Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3869

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

     SECTION 1. SIDNEY ``SID'' SANDERS MCMATH POST OFFICE 
                   BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 600 East Capitol Avenue in Little Rock, 
     Arkansas, shall be known and designated as the ``Sidney `Sid' 
     Sanders McMath 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

[[Page H7334]]

     be a reference to the ``Sidney `Sid' Sanders McMath Post 
     Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Farenthold) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.

                              {time}  1750


                             General Leave

  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3869, introduced by the gentleman 
from Arkansas (Mr. Griffin), would designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 600 East Capitol Avenue in Little 
Rock, Arkansas, as the Sidney ``Sid'' Sanders McMath Post Office 
Building. The bill was introduced on February 1 and was reported from 
the Government Oversight and Reform Committee on February 7.
  Mr. Speaker, Sid McMath was a prosecuting attorney, a decorated 
United States Marine officer, and the 34th Governor of the great State 
of Arkansas. As a Marine officer, he received the Legion of Merit 
Silver Star for his heroic leadership during World War II. As Governor, 
McMath championed several infrastructure improvements to benefit his 
State. This included the paving of primary roads and expanding rural 
electrification.
  McMath unfortunately died in his home in Little Rock, Arkansas, on 
Saturday, October 4, 2003. He was given a full military funeral by the 
U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. McMath is a very worthy designee of this postal 
facility naming, and I urge all Members to join me in support of this 
bill.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 
3869, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 
600 East Capitol Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the ``Sidney `Sid' 
Sanders McMath Post Office Building.''
  The bill before us was introduced by Representative Tim Griffin on 
February 1, 2012. In accordance with committee requirements, H.R. 3869 
is cosponsored by all members of the Arkansas delegation and was 
reported out of the Oversight Committee by unanimous consent on June 
27, 2012.
  As a former two-term Governor for Arkansas, Sidney Sanders McMath 
started his career as an enlisted officer with the U.S. Marine Corps. 
Having fought in the battle for the Solomon Islands in World War II, 
Mr. McMath would earn the rank of lieutenant colonel for his courageous 
efforts in the war. When he retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, his 
rank was major general.
  A decorated war hero, McMath would return to his hometown of Hot 
Springs in time to be elected as a local prosecutor. Earning a 
reputation as a reformer, he worked tirelessly to rid the local 
government of corruption. His noble actions and hard work would carry 
him to victory in the 1948 election to become Governor of Arkansas. 
Leading the way as a reformist in all manners, McMath fought for civil 
rights for African Americans and modernized the Arkansas transportation 
infrastructure.
  His hard work and determination have cemented his legacy in 
Arkansas's history. To commemorate Sidney ``Sid'' Sanders McMath, I ask 
that we pass the measure before us, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield as 
much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. 
Griffin).
  Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
3869. This bill would designate the facility of the United States Post 
Office located at 600 East Capitol Avenue in Little Rock as the Sidney 
``Sid'' Sanders McMath Post Office Building.
  Sid McMath is one of Arkansas's finest sons, and he dedicated his 
life to serving Arkansas and our country. He was the 34th Governor of 
Arkansas and served as a U.S. Marine in World War II. He received the 
Silver Star for his valor during the Battle of Piva Forks.
  Sid McMath was born in Columbia County, Arkansas, on June 14, 1912. 
In high school, he was a skilled boxer and won the State Golden Gloves 
title. He worked his way through college at the University of Arkansas 
by waiting tables, washing dishes, and fighting in exhibition boxing 
matches. After college, he served as a United States Marine during 
World War II where he distinguished himself in combat and earned the 
Silver Star and the Legion of Merit.
  In 1948, Sid McMath was elected as the 34th Governor of Arkansas, 
serving from 1949 to 1953. As Governor, he was a staunch advocate for 
civil rights, fighting to uphold voting rights for all Americans and 
working to abolish the poll tax.
  After serving as Governor, he continued his service to his Nation as 
a member of the Marine Corps Reserve, rising to the rank of major 
general. In 1967, he founded the Marine Corps Junior ROTC at Catholic 
High School for Boys in Little Rock. Many of the cadets known as 
``Sid's Kids'' have followed his example by serving our country.
  Governor McMath passed away in 2003 at the age of 91 in Little Rock. 
His autobiography, ``Promises Kept,'' was posthumously awarded the 
Arkansas Historical Association's highest accolade, the John G. 
Ragsdale Prize.
  Today we honor Sid McMath's dedication and service to his State and 
Nation by installing a permanent marker of his contribution to Arkansas 
and America. His example is one all Americans and Arkansans can admire, 
and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill to honor 
his legacy.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, having no other speakers, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I join with Representative Griffin in 
urging all of our Members to support this bill in the naming of the 
Sidney ``Sid'' Sanders McMath Post Office Building, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Farenthold) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3869.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. 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, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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