[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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