[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 14, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H2851-H2852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 BERNIE BLUESTEIN POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 5773) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service at 1300 East Northwest Highway in Palatine, 
Illinois, as the ``Bernie Bluestein Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5773

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

     SECTION 1. BERNIE BLUESTEIN POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 1300 East Northwest Highway in Palatine, 
     Illinois, shall be known and designated as the ``Bernie 
     Bluestein 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 ``Bernie Bluestein Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Subramanyam) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GILL of Texas. 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 Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a 
post office in Palatine, Illinois, after Bernie Bluestein.
  Mr. Bluestein was an American artist, innovator, and World War II 
veteran. As part of the top-secret Ghost Army unit, Mr. Bluestein used 
his artistic skills to create fake patches, signs, and vehicle stencils 
to deceive Nazi forces about the strength and location of American 
troops.
  After serving in the Army, he worked as an industrial designer, 
assisting leading electronics companies, such as Zenith and Sunbeam, by 
designing products.

[[Page H2852]]

  Mr. Bluestein passed away on March 25, 2026, at the age of 102.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1600

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5773, introduced by my 
colleague from Illinois, Representative Krishnamoorthi, and I yield 
such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Krishnamoorthi).
  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to urge my colleagues 
in supporting H.R. 5773, a bill to name the Palatine, Illinois, post 
office in honor of Bernie Bluestein.
  As one of the heroic members of the World War II American secret unit 
known as the Ghost Army, Bluestein helped employ inflatable tanks, fake 
radio signals, and sound deception to mislead Nazi forces, saving 
thousands of lives and helping to turn the tide in Europe.
  Bernie's impact did not end with his service. He embraced being a 
community leader in Palatine, becoming a beloved artist, mentor, and 
lifelong learner. He also enriched the Harper College community for 
decades and inspired generations of students with his creativity, 
humor, and humility.
  Earlier this month, unfortunately, Bernie passed away after battling 
cancer. He truly was a fighter until the end. Honoring him with this 
designation ensures that his extraordinary contributions to our Nation 
and our community will never be forgotten.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and to pass this 
bill in honor of Bernie Bluestein.
  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois 
for his remarks, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to 
support this bill, naming a post office after war veteran Bernie 
Bluestein, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 5773.
  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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