[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 94 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3552-H3553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1430
                     SUSAN C. BARNHART POST OFFICE

  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5476) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 1077 River Road, Suite 1, in Washington Crossing, 
Pennsylvania, as the ``Susan C. Barnhart Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5476

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

     SECTION 1. SUSAN C. BARNHART POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 1077 River Road, Suite 1, in Washington 
     Crossing, Pennsylvania, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Susan C. Barnhart 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 ``Susan C. Barnhart Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam 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 this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the bill, 
H.R. 5476, which designates the United States Postal Service facility 
in Washington Crossing, Buck County, Pennsylvania, located at 1077 
River Road, as the Susan C. Barnhart Post Office.
  Madam Speaker, last July 15, our community experienced a devastating 
tragedy, a tragedy where seven innocent lives, five adults and two 
children, were lost in a violent flash flood.
  Among those we lost that fateful day was the extraordinary Susan 
Barnhart. Though she lived across the river in Titusville, New Jersey, 
Susan spent many years serving our community and was beloved by so 
many.
  Susan was a model citizen, a dedicated public servant, and a beacon 
of warmth and kindness. She quickly became a comforting presence who 
customers in that post office and colleagues alike looked forward to 
seeing every single day at the Washington Crossing post office, where 
she dedicated her professional life.
  As one of her customers beautifully put it: ``Susan was like 
sunshine, someone whose smiling face could light up your day the moment 
you walked in.''
  Madam Speaker, Susan's loss, along with the loss of the other victims 
tragically lost on that day, has left an unimaginable void in our Bucks 
County community. Through this dedication, her spirit and legacy will 
continue to inspire every single one of us.
  I would be remiss not to extend my sincere gratitude to several 
individuals, including JD Mullane, a Bucks County Courier Times 
reporter, for his suggestion to spearhead this initiative. JD's 
thoughtfulness has allowed us to pay tribute to Susan and honor her 
legacy in a profound and meaningful way. For that, we are all thankful.
  I also want to take a moment to recognize several individuals whose 
remarkable efforts and actions safeguarded and supported our community 
in our time of need. I say this with absolute certainty: We are blessed 
to have some of the finest first responders and law enforcement 
officers serving our Bucks County community.
  From the onset of the flooding, Upper Makefield Township Police and 
Fire Departments showcased their excellence and displayed extraordinary 
bravery, extraordinary courage, incredible selflessness, and incredible 
compassion. They were undoubtedly beacons of hope and light in one of 
our community's darkest hours.
  Harry Vitello is one of our all-star Upper Makefield Township 
officers. Officer Vitello not only heroically led rescue operations but 
made it his mission to offer solace, empathy, and a steady hand to 
those in distress while ensuring our community remained informed. It 
was a master class in crisis communications, and I applaud and thank 
him for his outstanding efforts.
  In addition, for over 50 years, the all-volunteer Upper Makefield 
Fire Company has been a stalwart guardian of our community. The 
leadership of Chief Tim Brewer and the entire fire company throughout 
the flooding exemplified the essence of civic duty and underscored the 
importance of selfless services.
  Chief Brewer and his team worked tirelessly throughout the rescue 
operations, sparing no effort and leaving no stone unturned, bravely 
risking their lives without hesitation. I thank Chief Brewer and the 
entire Upper Makefield

[[Page H3553]]

Fire Company, as always, for their service.
  I thank Tom Cino, who served as chair of the Upper Makefield Board of 
Supervisors and as fire liaison, for his steadfast leadership and 
unwavering composure in coordinating efforts, providing essential 
resources, and ensuring that the families of all the victims felt the 
arms of our entire community around them.
  Madam Speaker, amidst the darkness of last July, our community was 
able to find solace in uniting to express our heartfelt appreciation 
and gratitude for the heroic efforts of our law enforcement officers, 
our firefighters, our first responders, and all the elected officials 
who played a critical role in this recovery effort.
  Today, we can find solace once more. Although Susan is no longer with 
us, dedicating this post office in her name and in her honor to 
recognize her legacy ensures that her legacy and spirit remain vibrant 
forever.
  For Susan's family, while we can never bring back her radiant smile 
and her incredible compassion, each time we see her name honored in 
this place that she cherished, we will know her warmth and her joy 
continue to watch over our Washington Crossing and Bucks County 
community.
  Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 5476, and I 
thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his remarks.
  Susan Barnhart was a beloved public servant in the Bucks County 
community. She was a resident of Titusville, New Jersey, but was a 
longtime postal service worker at the Newtown and Washington Crossing 
offices.
  She passed away during an extreme flash flooding incident on July 15, 
2023. Designating the post office in her honor will ensure that her 
legacy of passionate dedication to the community and public service 
will be forever recognized and remembered.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to 
support this bill honoring a local public servant. I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5476.
  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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