[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 94 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3555-H3556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            LIEUTENANT GENERAL SAMUEL E. EBBESEN POST OFFICE

  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5034) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 2119 Market Square in Christiansted, St. Croix, 
United States Virgin Islands, as the ``Lieutenant General Samuel E. 
Ebbesen Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5034

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

     SECTION 1. LIEUTENANT GENERAL SAMUEL E. EBBESEN POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 2119 Market Square in Christiansted, St. 
     Croix, United States Virgin Islands, shall be known and 
     designated as the ``Lieutenant General Samuel E. Ebbesen 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 ``Lieutenant General Samuel E. Ebbesen 
     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 stand here today to support this bill which would 
name a post office in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, for Lieutenant 
General Samuel E. Ebbesen.
  Mr. Ebbesen is a native of St. Croix who has had a distinguished 
career in the military, business community, and public service. In 
1997, Mr. Ebbesen retired from the U.S. Army as a three-star general. 
Throughout his time in the Army, he held a variety of key command and 
staff positions. Mr. Ebbesen received eight awards, including the 
Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and was elected to the Reserve 
Officers' Training Corps Hall of Fame. He has also been active in the 
business community.
  I support naming a post office to recognize Mr. Ebbesen's service to 
this Nation, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 
5034, and I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from the U.S. Virgin 
Islands (Ms. Plaskett) for any remarks she may have.
  Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 
5034, a bill to designate the United States Post Office located at 2119 
Market Square in Christiansted, St. Croix, as the Lieutenant General 
Samuel E. Ebbesen Post Office.
  Lieutenant General Samuel E. Ebbesen, a native of St. Croix, U.S. 
Virgin Islands, has led a distinguished career in military, business, 
community, and public service. Throughout his tenure, General Ebbesen 
held numerous key command and staff positions, demonstrating 
exceptional leadership and dedication. From his role as operations 
officer at the 7th Infantry Division in California to commanding the 
1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, and the 6th Infantry Division, 
his impact has been profound.
  Notably, he led the Department of Defense Joint Task Force during the 
rescue and recovery operations following Hurricane Andrew in south 
Florida, showcasing his unwavering commitment to service. His 
illustrious military career culminated in his retirement as a three-
star general in January of 1997.
  As a young man at City College, Lieutenant General Ebbesen became 
great friends with former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who became 
his professional mentor. As two Caribbean men in New York, they became 
fast friends and supported each other's military careers. General 
Ebbesen had the honor of being one of few people who spoke at the 
funeral services of Secretary Powell.
  By passing this bill, we recognize the significant contributions of a 
remarkable Virgin Islander whose life and career exemplified the very 
best of what it means to serve both in uniform and in civilian life. We 
also acknowledge the sacrifices and achievements of Lieutenant General 
Ebbesen and affirm our commitment to honoring those who have served 
with distinction.
  Virgin Islanders have served this country in military service since 
its inception, even before we were a part of the United States, in 
every conflict from Alexander Hamilton as aide-de-camp to General 
George Washington to scores of young men who volunteered in World War 
II and then served in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and today. 
Virgin Islanders have gladly answered the call in greater numbers per 
capita than elsewhere on the mainland.

                              {time}  1500

  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5034 and ensure that the legacy 
of Lieutenant General Samuel E. Ebbesen as an example of the service of 
men and women is forever preserved through the naming of the Market 
Square post office in St. Croix in the town of Christiansted where he 
grew up as the Lieutenant General Samuel E. Ebbesen Post Office.

[[Page H3556]]

  

  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and am 
prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 5034. I thank 
the very distinguished gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for her very 
moving remarks, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to 
support this bill honoring an 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. 5034.
  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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