[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 94 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3554-H3555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PAUL IGNATIUS POST OFFICE

  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1687) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 6444 San Fernando Road in Glendale, California, as 
the ``Paul Ignatius Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1687

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

     SECTION 1. PAUL IGNATIUS POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 6444 San Fernando Road in Glendale, 
     California, shall be known and designated as the ``Paul 
     Ignatius 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 ``Paul Ignatius 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 myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1687, which honors 
former Secretary of the Navy Paul Ignatius. In this position, he was 
the highest ranking Armenian American in the U.S. military.
  Secretary Ignatius began his naval career during World War II. After 
graduating from Harvard Business School, he began to work with the 
Department of Defense in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. It 
was under President Johnson that he became Secretary of the Navy in 
1967.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1687, and 
I yield 6 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. 
Schiff).
  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to seek support in renaming a 
post office in Glendale, California, after Paul Ignatius, an 
extraordinary individual whose life and legacy embody the very best of 
our American values. Paul is still with us today, 103 years young, 
still inspiring future generations.
  Paul Ignatius is a name that resonates deeply within the community in 
my district and far beyond. Born in Glendale in 1920 to Armenian 
immigrants, Paul dedicated his life to public service. His family was 
one of the earliest Armenian families to settle in burgeoning Glendale, 
California, arriving in 1911. Paul's grandfather even built his house 
on the same street as the post office to be named after his grandson 
nearly a century later.
  From humble beginnings, Paul served his Nation bravely as an ordnance 
officer during World War II and rose to become the highest ranking 
Armenian American in the U.S. Government to this day, serving as the 
59th U.S. Secretary of the Navy under President Lyndon B. Johnson. This 
remarkable journey, from the son of immigrants to a high-ranking 
Presidential appointee, is a path only possible here, a dream that is 
uniquely American.
  Following his distinguished military service, Paul continued to serve 
the public in various capacities. He graduated from Harvard Business 
School and began working with the Department of Defense, where he held 
several key positions in both the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, 
helping modernize our procurement process.
  His tenure as Secretary of the Navy was characterized by significant 
contributions to the modernization of the Navy and a steadfast 
dedication to the well-being of our servicemen and -women. His 
leadership during a challenging era for our Nation left an indelible 
mark on our naval forces.
  Throughout his life, Paul remained true to his values and deeply 
optimistic about our future. His work ethic, intellect, and integrity 
earned him the trust and admiration of his colleagues and the 
communities that he served. Paul likes to say that when he joined the 
Pentagon, nobody asked him what party he belonged to. Public service 
was something that went beyond partisan politics and reflected Paul's 
genuine and deep love of his community and country.

[[Page H3555]]

  In Glendale, he has been a pillar of the community, a mentor and a 
source of inspiration for many, especially those in the Armenian 
community whom he has encouraged to follow him into public service. His 
commitment to education, civic engagement, and cultural preservation 
has proudly impacted the Armenian-American community and the broader 
public. He has worked to promote understanding, tolerance, and unity, 
reflecting the values that make our community strong and vibrant.
  Paul's efforts in cultural preservation and education are 
particularly noteworthy. He has been instrumental in supporting 
initiatives that educate future generations about Armenian heritage and 
history, ensuring that the legacy of resilience and perseverance are 
not forgotten, cognizant of his own upbringing as one of the first 
Armenian Americans bridging cultures and starting new ones. His work 
has helped to create a bridge between the past and the present, 
fostering a sense of identity and pride in the community.
  As a young man, Paul worked as a seasonal clerk at the Glendale Post 
Office while attending college. His son recalls Paul's stories of madly 
sorting letters before Christmas. His fitting beginning at the post 
office makes the renaming of this institution in his honor all the more 
meaningful. It is a tribute to a man who has come full circle from his 
early days of hard work and dedication to becoming a distinguished 
leader and advocate for his community and the country.
  Renaming this post office after Paul Ignatius is more than a symbolic 
gesture; it is a recognition of a life devoted to service, community, 
and the greater good. It is a small tribute to a man who has 
exemplified the highest ideals of public service, and his contributions 
have had a lasting impact on our Nation as it has on Glendale.
  Paul Ignatius' name on this post office will serve as a constant 
reminder of the values he represented throughout his career and to this 
day: courage, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the safety, 
defense, and betterment of America and American society.
  Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 1687. I thank 
the gentleman from California for his moving remarks. I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to 
support this bill, honoring a great American leader. 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. 1687.
  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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