[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 94 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3565-H3566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DR. WILLIAM I. ``BILL'' KOTT POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7192) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 333 West Broadway in Anaheim, California, as the
``Dr. William I. `Bill' Kott Post Office Building''.
[[Page H3566]]
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7192
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DR. WILLIAM I. ``BILL'' KOTT POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 333 West Broadway in Anaheim, California,
shall be known and designated as the ``Dr. William I. `Bill'
Kott 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 ``Dr. William I. `Bill' Kott Post Office
Building''.
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
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. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill that would name a post
office in Anaheim, California, for Dr. William ``Bill'' Kott.
Kott was a World War II veteran who, after the attack on Pearl
Harbor, enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed in Europe as a
sergeant in General George S. Patton's Third Army.
He was one of the liberators of the Buchenwald concentration camp,
among his other servicemembers. He was awarded two Bronze Star Medals.
Following his honorable discharge, Dr. Kott used the GI Bill to earn a
dental degree. He became a politically active member of the Republican
Party, serving as chairman of the California Republican Assembly of
Orange County and on several boards and commissions.
In 2018, he had the distinct privilege of connecting with the family
of one of the Buchenwald prisoners he had helped to liberate.
In support of naming a post office in memory of Dr. Kott, I encourage
my colleagues to vote for this fine bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 7192, and I yield
3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Correa) for any remarks
he may have.
Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7192
to designate Anaheim's post office as the Dr. Bill Kott Post Office.
You often hear that actions speak louder than words. Dr. Kott is a
perfect example. He was a son of Prussian immigrants, and Dr. Kott
chose to enlist in the military, the U.S. Army, after the attack on
Pearl Harbor.
He showed bravery and guts as he walked across three countries--three
countries to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. Then, he was one of the
first responders to liberate the Buchenwald concentration camp.
After fighting World War II, he returned home to Orange County, where
he married his wife, Eleanor. He decided to build a life with his wife
in Anaheim, California.
Through the GI Bill, he received an associate's degree and bachelor's
degree and was later accepted to the University of Southern California,
where he earned his dental degree. Then, at the University of the
Pacific College of Physicians, he earned his dental degree and master's
of science degree.
I am not done yet. At the age of 60, Dr. Kott returned to school,
where he earned his medical degree at the UCI School of Medicine. He
went on to provide dental services to our community until the age of
89.
Dr. Kott, when not working or studying, was very active politically
in Orange County. He served as chairman of the California Republican
Assembly of Orange County. As a member of the Anaheim City Council, he
also served as mayor pro tempore.
Dr. Kott's service to Anaheim, Orange County, and his country will be
recognized, remembered, and celebrated for many decades to come.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support me in voting ``aye'' on
H.R. 7192.
Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support
this bill honoring a great American war hero.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 7192.
Mr. Speaker, 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. 7192.
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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