[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26009]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      WILLIAM H. AVERY POST OFFICE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 12, 1999

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of 
H.R. 2591, legislation designating the United States Post Office 
located on Elm Street in Wakefield, Kansas, as the ``William H. Avery 
Post Office.'' Let me commend Congressman Moran for sponsoring this 
legislation which is an appropriate honor well deserved by the 
recipient.
  Mr. Speaker, my wife Vicki and I have enjoyed our friendship with 
Governor Avery over the past several years, and we are both excited 
that this honor is being bestowed upon a great public servant and good 
friend who has always placed the people of the great State of Kansas 
first.
  When I think about the tremendous reputation Governor Avery still 
enjoys, I think about the moniker given to a past politician: The Happy 
Warrior. You cannot talk to Bill without feeling his zest for life and 
his indomitable spirit. It is not unusual to see Governor Avery at an 
event in Kansas, shaking hands, kissing babies and talking about the 
latest Republican strategy. Sometimes a few of us in this esteemed Body 
get tired and frustrated. At those moments I think of Governor Avery, 
his quick smile, his knowing wink, his kind words, his all-encompassing 
heart. Always smiling, always moving, always hopeful of the future, but 
respectful of the past. Governor Avery is truly Kansas's Happy Warrior.
  Mr. Speaker, I realize that at times the floor of the House can be 
partisan, and with your indulgence I am going to add to that partisan 
flame, just a bit. There is one memory I will always cherish, and it 
occurred in January 1995. I was a new Member of Congress, full of hope, 
a little overwhelmed, and flush anticipation of the job ahead.
  I had some friends and family in my office and in came Governor 
Avery. He came up to me and shook my hand, and told me why he had 
traveled back to D.C. You see Governor Avery is also appropriately 
called Congressman Avery. He served in this House from 1955-1965. He 
related to me that when he won his election in 1954, he thought he 
would be entering a Republican Congress, but he soon learned that the 
Democrats had regained the majority. Congressman Avery was destined to 
serve all his tenure in the minority. He always felt a little jilted by 
history, and that is why he wanted to be on the floor of the U.S. House 
when the gavel passed. At that moment I realized how fortunate I really 
was to be entrusted with a job representing the Fourth Congressional 
District of Kansas, and I realized just how historic a shift in 
Congress can be.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope Governor Avery is enjoying the beautiful Autumn 
evening back home in Wakefield, Kansas. I want to thank him for all his 
words of inspiration, his dedication and his enduring attitude. When 
the history of Kansas is written, it will be as kind to Governor Avery 
as he has been to anyone who has had the good fortune to know him.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be able to call Governor Avery my friend 
and to help recognize him this day for the many accomplishments he has 
provided the people of Kansas and this great country.

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