[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 158 (Monday, September 14, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H4362-H4363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 JOHN HENRY TURPIN POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend 
the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4034) to designate the facility of 
the United States Postal Service located at 602 Pacific Avenue in 
Bremerton, Washington, as the ``John Henry Turpin Post Office 
Building''.

[[Page H4363]]

  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4034

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

     SECTION 1. JOHN HENRY TURPIN POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 602 Pacific Avenue in Bremerton, 
     Washington, shall be known and designated as the ``John Henry 
     Turpin 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 ``John Henry Turpin Post Office 
     Building''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. 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.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of 
H.R. 4034, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located 
at 602 Pacific Avenue in Bremerton, Washington, as the John Henry 
Turpin Post Office Building.
  John Henry ``Dick'' Turpin was a U.S. Navy sailor born in 1876. Over 
his distinguished and accomplished career, Turpin likely became the 
first African American qualified as a master class diver, in 1915, and 
one of the first African-American Navy chief petty officers.
  Mr. Turpin's three-decade career in the Navy included service during 
the Spanish-American War, the Boxer Rebellion, and World War I. During 
World War II, Mr. Turpin volunteered to make inspirational visits to 
Navy training centers and defense plants. He survived two Navy 
disasters: the sinking of both the USS Maine in 1898 and the USS 
Bennington in 1905.
  Naming a post office after John Henry ``Dick'' Turpin would honor his 
distinguished service and unwavering commitment to our country.
  I would like to thank the honorable Member from Washington, 
Representative Kilmer, for this legislation to honor this great public 
servant.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4034, which would designate 
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 602 Pacific 
Avenue in Bremerton, Washington, as the John Henry Turpin Post Office 
Building.
  After a distinguished career serving in the Spanish-American War, the 
Boxer Rebellion, and World War I, and being disallowed from reenlisting 
during World War II because of his age, Mr. Turpin instead volunteered 
to tour the Navy training facilities and defense plants to speak to 
African-American sailors.
  After his retirement from Active Duty in the Navy, Turpin worked as a 
master rigger in Bremerton, Washington. His service is to be commended, 
and because of that, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I also urge passage 
of this bill, H.R. 4034, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4034.
  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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