[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 25253-25254]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        BRIGADIER GENERAL (AUS-RET.) JOHN H. McLAIN POST OFFICE

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3068) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 2055 Siesta Drive in Sarasota, Florida, as the 
``Brigadier General (AUS-Ret.) John H. McLain Post Office''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3068

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

     SECTION 1. BRIGADIER GENERAL (AUS-RET.) JOHN H. MCLAIN POST 
                   OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 2055 Siesta Drive in Sarasota, Florida, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Brigadier General 
     (AUS-Ret.) John H. McLain 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 Brigadier General (AUS-Ret.) John H. 
     McLain Post Office.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Shays) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.R. 3068.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am happy to join with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) to introduce H.R. 3068, which was introduced by my colleague, 
the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Harris), which designates this U.S. 
Postal Service facility in Sarasota, Florida, as the Brigadier General 
John H. McLain Post Office. The entire delegation from the State of 
Florida has signed on as cosponsors to this legislation.

[[Page 25254]]

  Mr. Speaker, Brigadier General John McLain was a national hero who 
this body appropriately recognizes today. A veteran of both World War 
II and the Korean War, General McLain served his Nation in the U.S. 
Army for 37 years. He earned countless honors during his career, 
including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of 
Merit.
  John McLain was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 21, 
1919. After finishing high school, he enlisted in the Army in 1940. His 
very enlistment at this time exhibited bravery and a love of country, 
as Hitler's Nazi Germany had already invaded several countries in 
Europe by this time at the outbreak of World War II. Sure enough, 
McLain was soon sent to Europe as part of General George Patton's Third 
Army. He fought bravely during the infamous Battle of the Bulge that 
began in December 1944 and was promoted to the rank of captain for his 
valor.
  When he returned to his hometown following World War II, McLain 
enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated with 
honors in 1947. As war erupted in Korea, Captain McLain volunteered for 
active duty, despite being a Reserve in the Army. During the war, he 
served as a senior advisor with the Korean Military Advisory Group. 
After he returned safely home from his second war in 1953, he returned 
to the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his second degree, 
this time a master of arts.
  The Korean War concluded General McLain's distinguished combat 
service, but he remained in the Army Reserves until his retirement in 
1977. He deservedly earned the rank of brigadier general in 1972. It is 
important to note that the general spent much of his years following 
his active duty teaching. He taught English classes at Florida State 
University in Tallahassee, Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, 
Florida, and St. Petersburg High School in Edgewood, Pennsylvania. He 
also returned to his alma mater to teach English history classes at the 
University of Pittsburgh.
  From the time of his retirement until his death, General McLain lived 
in Sarasota with his wife of 50 years, Patricia Ann. He contributed to 
his community by volunteering countless hours at schools and 
organizations in the Sarasota area.
  Mr. Speaker, for all these reasons, I urge all Members to support 
passage of H.R. 3068 that will name this post office after Brigadier 
General John McLain. General McLain will be laid to rest in Arlington 
National Cemetery on November 5 with full military honors.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for her work toward 
honoring General McLain through this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am 
pleased to join with my colleague, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. 
Shays), in support of H.R. 3068, legislation naming a postal facility 
in Sarasota, Florida, after Brigadier General John H. McLain.
  This measure was introduced by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Harris) on September 10, 2003. H.R. 3068, which was unanimously 
approved and reported by the Committee on Government Reform on 
September 18, 2003, has the support and cosponsorship of the entire 
Florida congressional delegation.
  General McLain served his country bravely for nearly 4 decades, both 
on active duty and as a Reservist. He enlisted in the United States 
Army in 1940 and served in World War II and the Korean War. He attained 
the rank of brigadier general in 1972 and was inducted into the Field 
Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 1976. During his career, he 
received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious 
Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal, among others.
  An active member of his community, General McLain passed away last 
month on September 23, 2003. He left behind a wife, four children, 
grandchildren, and a great grandchild. General McLain will be buried 
with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on November 5, 
2003.
  Mr. Speaker, naming a postal facility after the late General John H. 
McLain continues in our tradition of honoring individuals of great 
character and service to their community and to their country. I urge 
swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) for his help in passage of both these pieces of legislation. I 
also know the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Harris) badly wanted to be 
here for consideration of H.R. 3068. I commend her for her work on this 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation honors a devoted American patriot, 
Brigadier General John H. McLain. I, along with the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis), urge all Members to support its passage.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. 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 Connecticut (Mr. Shays) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3068.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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