[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 94 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3559-H3560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1530
                 KINGSLAND ``JOHNNY CASH'' POST OFFICE

  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 7180) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 80 1st Street in Kingsland, Arkansas, as the 
``Kingsland `Johnny Cash' Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7180

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

     SECTION 1. KINGSLAND ``JOHNNY CASH'' POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 80 1st Street in Kingsland, Arkansas, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Kingsland `Johnny 
     Cash' 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 ``Kingsland `Johnny Cash' 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. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
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. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on behalf of my bill, 
H.R. 7180, to designate the post office in Kingsland, Arkansas, in 
honor of legendary musician Johnny Cash.
  Johnny Cash's music has touched the hearts of millions, transcending 
generations and genres. Many people know and are fans of Johnny Cash, 
but some do not know he was born in south Arkansas, a place that holds 
a significant part of his story.
  The Country Music Hall of Famer, a true son of Arkansas, was born in 
Kingsland, Arkansas, on February 26, 1932. From these humble 
beginnings, he went on to work in cotton fields in northeast Arkansas, 
where he listened to local channels on his battery-operated radio and 
developed his great love for music.
  His journey began with performing in high school assemblies and on 
KLCN, a local Arkansas classic radio station. Following 4 years in 
Germany with the U.S. Air Force, where he wrote his hit classics 
``Folsom Prison Blues'' and ``Hey Porter,'' Johnny settled in Memphis 
to pursue his music career but never forgot where he came from.
  Johnny Cash and the entire Cash family's roots in the Natural State 
run deep, so much so, the Arkansas delegation will be joined by members 
of the Cash family to unveil a statue of the music legend in the U.S. 
Capitol later this fall. The connection between the Cash family and 
Arkansas is so profound that Johnny and his wife, June; his son, John; 
and all his then-living siblings attended the Kingsland post office 
dedication in 1994.
  With nearly 3,000 people in attendance, Johnny and his family 
performed the song ``Will the Circle Be Unbroken.'' Johnny closed by 
saying: ``This

[[Page H3560]]

has probably been the best day of my life. I love you, and I love 
Kingsland.'' This incredible piece of history underscores the 
importance of honoring his connection to Arkansas.
  Today, 30 years after that dedication, I ask my colleagues to join me 
in designating the Kingsland Johnny Cash Post Office to enshrine in law 
the legacy Johnny Cash left behind through service to his country, his 
iconic music, and the deep impact he and his family have had on the 
Natural State.
  I thank Chairman Comer for helping advance this bill through 
committee, and I thank Kingsland Mayor Sharon Crosby, Cleveland County 
Judge Jimmy Cummings, and Arkansas State Senator Ben Gilmore for 
working with my office to properly highlight Johnny Cash's birthplace.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 7180. Johnny Cash 
was born in Kingsland, Arkansas, and spent his early years working with 
his family on a farm. In 1950, he joined the Air Force and found time 
while stationed in Landsberg, West Germany, to learn the guitar, to 
begin writing songs, and to perform in live shows.
  When he was discharged in 1954, he began his extraordinary and 
dazzling career in music, including releasing his debut album in 1957. 
He ended up with two Grammy Awards, published a best-selling 
autobiography, and was the youngest living person inducted into the 
Country Music Hall of Fame.
  He inspired many generations of musicians of all different genres. I 
encourage all of our colleagues to join us in honoring the life of the 
great Johnny Cash by naming the post office in Kingsland, Arkansas, 
after him.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am 
prepared to close.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my House colleagues to support this bill 
honoring a great American music legend, and 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. 7180.
  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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