[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 138 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H6204-H6205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RICHARD ``DICK'' CHENAULT POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 558) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 55 South Pioneer Boulevard in Springboro, Ohio, as 
the Richard ``Dick'' Chenault Post Office Building.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 558

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

     SECTION 1. RICHARD ``DICK'' CHENAULT POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 55 South Pioneer Boulevard in Springboro, 
     Ohio, shall be known and designated as the ``Richard `Dick' 
     Chenault 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 ``Richard `Dick' Chenault Post Office 
     Building''.

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

                              {time}  1415


                             General Leave

  Mr. CHAFFETZ. 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 materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Utah?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 558, introduced by Mr. 
Chabot. It is a very appropriate bill, recognizing someone in the 
community.
  I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Chabot).
  Mr. CHABOT. I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding.
  I rise today to speak on behalf of H.R. 558, which names the post 
office in Springboro, Ohio, after Richard Chenault.
  Mr. Chenault was born in Xenia, Ohio, on December 26, 1925. He was 
married to his wife, Phyllis, for 63 years. They have four children, 
four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was a lifelong 
resident of Springboro and Clearcreek Township before passing away in 
November 2010.
  Throughout his life, Richard Chenault dedicated himself to serving 
his community and his Nation. A World War II veteran, Mr. Chenault 
served in the United States Army's First Cavalry Division from 1944 to 
1946, including a year in occupied Japan. Upon returning to Ohio after 
the war, he sought a career in which he could continue to serve, this 
time in his local community. He found that opportunity with the U.S. 
Postal Service, where he was one of the first letter carriers for the 
Springboro Post Office. He served his community as an employee of the 
post office for 22 years.
  But Richard Chenault's dedication to his community and his neighbors 
didn't stop there. He was a member of the Clearcreek Township Volunteer 
Fire Department for 45 years, and he served as chief of the department 
for 23 of those years. Additionally, he was a part-time police officer 
during the fifties, sixties, and early 1970s, and was a charter member 
of the Springboro Lions Club, which was founded in 1953. He didn't miss 
a meeting for 57 years. Somehow he even found time to frequently mow 
lawns, shovel snow, and check on his elderly neighbors.
  Not surprisingly, Mr. Chenault was adored and revered by the 
Springboro community. When he passed, his obituary in the Dayton Daily 
News was headlined, ``Springboro Icon Dies,'' and he had one of the 
largest funerals in Springboro history.
  Since his passing, members of the community have sought the best way 
to honor a man who did so much for so many. Fittingly, the community 
has rallied to remember him by naming their local post office the 
Richard Chenault Post Office, as it was the post office that allowed 
Mr. Chenault to do what he loved best: serve his neighbors.
  I ask for your support in honoring this extraordinary public servant 
by supporting this bill.
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration 
of H.R. 558, a bill to designate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service in Springboro, Ohio, as the Richard ``Dick'' Chenault 
Post Office Building.
  We have heard the amazing career and service of Mr. Chenault. It 
includes service to his country in many ways. Serving during World War 
II, he returned back to his community and continued to serve. He was 
well-known as a friendly face in Springboro. He became the first letter 
carrier when the postal delivery started in 1965, and he continued to 
do so until his retirement in 1988.
  I want to take the time to note that postal service employment is a 
form of service to our country and to our citizens. That is included in 
his resume of service, and it is deserving of recognition.
  He served in the volunteer fire department as their chief. He served 
as a deputy policeman. He also was involved in community groups, such 
as being a charter member of the Lions Club. He had an unwavering 
commitment to service in his community. One thing that is notable is 
that Mr. Chenault had perfect attendance at the Lions Club for 57 
years.
  Mr. Chenault is survived by his family, but also by the community 
that he served. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to recognize Dick 
Chenault's devotion to public service and the impact that he made on 
his community and those fortunate enough to know him.
  I would also note that this is an example of an individual who, at 
every level he was given an opportunity to serve, he did. It is with 
such honor that we should give him, his family, and those who knew him 
this recognition by naming the post office after him. I urge passage of 
the bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  From what I know about Mr. Chenault, he was a great American. I am 
proud that Congressman Steve Chabot brought this up and moved this 
bill, because he did everything as an American. He served his country. 
He served his community. He served his family. He was a volunteer 
firefighter, fire chief, part-time police officer, and a charter member 
and president of the Lions Club. For more than 50 years, he had a 
perfect attendance at the Lions Club. My goodness.
  He was somebody who gave back to his community and somebody who I 
would hope young people will learn more about when they see the 
designation of this post office. We thank his family. We thank him for 
his service to his country, his family, and his community.

[[Page H6205]]

  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 558.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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