[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 13329-13330]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  GEORGE B. LEWIS POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 2077) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 20805 State Route 125 in Blue Creek, 
Ohio, as the ``George B. Lewis Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2077

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

     SECTION 1. GEORGE B. LEWIS POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 20805 State Route 125 in Blue Creek, Ohio, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``George B. Lewis 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 ``George B. Lewis Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 
2077, which names the postal facility in Blue Creek, Ohio, after George 
B. Lewis.
  H.R. 2077 was introduced by Representative Jean Schmidt on April 30, 
2007, and was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by 
a voice vote.
  This measure, which has been cosponsored by 16 Members, has the 
support of the entire Ohio congressional delegation.
  George Lewis began his career in public service with the Federal 
Government on February 1, 1946, when he enlisted in the United States 
Navy. After his discharge from the Navy, George returned from Adams 
County to work on the family cattle farm until September 1, 1950, when 
he was drafted by the Army and sent to Korea. He rose in the ranks 
quickly, earning the rank of tank sergeant. He was honorably discharged 
from the Army on June 12, 1952.
  George was hired as the Blue Creek Postmaster on November 5, 1955, 
where he served ably until his retirement on September 27, 1992.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Jean Schmidt from 
Ohio, for introducing this legislation, and I urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedicated public servants 
working for American citizens in making our neighborhoods a better 
place in which to live. George B. Lewis, the Blue Creek Postmaster, is 
one such man.
  Lewis' career serving his country began when he enlisted in the 
United States Navy in February 1946. He then returned to his work on 
the family cattle farm in Adams County until September 1950, when at 
the age of 22 he was drafted by the Army and sent to Korea. In Korea, 
Lewis was recognized as a leader, and he earned the rank of tank 
sergeant.
  Honorably discharged in 1952, Lewis again returned to work on the 
family farm. Three years later, Lewis was appointed to the position of 
the Blue Creek Postmaster, a job he held until retirement. Not only did 
George Lewis serve his community as postmaster for 47 years, but he 
played a major role in forming the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire 
Department and then went on to serve as the chief of that department.
  He was also very active in the community, sitting on the Adams County 
Hospital Board, the Adams County Agricultural Society and Fair Board 
director. As the proud father of five children, he also served as the 
president of the Jefferson Township Parent-Teacher Association.
  Lewis died on October 25, 2000, from lung cancer. With his recognized 
accomplishments in the Armed Forces, his devotion and services to Blue 
Creek as postmaster, and his longtime record of community service, it 
is fitting for to us pay tribute to the lifetime achievements of George 
B. Lewis by naming the Blue Creek Ohio, postal facility in his honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to my 
distinguished colleague from the State of Ohio (Mrs. Schmidt).
  Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2077, 
legislation to name the United States postal facility in Blue Creek, 
Ohio, the ``George B. Lewis Post Office Building.''
  George Lewis is the perfect example of what it is to be an American. 
This is an individual who served his country on the battlefield, and 
then came back home to serve his country on the farm field.
  George Lewis was born on April 22, 1928, in Peebles, Ohio, a farming 
community in Adams County, the second of five children. George spent 
his entire life, save 2 years fighting the Korean War, in Adams County, 
where he devoted his entire life to improve it.
  George Lewis began his career in public service with the Federal 
Government on February 1, 1946, still a few months short of his 18th 
birthday when he enlisted in the Navy. After his discharge from the 
Navy, George returned to Adams County to work on the family cattle farm 
until September 1, 1950, when he was called to duty and drafted into 
the Army and sent to Korea at the age of 22.
  He rose in the ranks quickly, earning the rank of tank sergeant. He 
saw battle on several occasions and earned several medals and awards 
for his service.

[[Page 13330]]

He was honorably discharged in 1952 and returned back to the family 
farm to do the work.
  George was hired as the Blue Creek Postmaster on November 5, 1955, 
where he served ably until his retirement on September 27, 1992. He was 
known to all in his community as the Blue Creek Postmaster. He retired 
with 40 years of Federal Government service.
  During his career as postmaster, George remained active in his 
community, not just only on the family farm which his family has held 
for over 200 years. He was instrumental, as was mentioned, in forming 
the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department, serving as its chief, 
and was an honorary lifetime member. He also continued in his public 
service with the Adams County Hospital Board, the Adams County 
Agricultural Society, the Fair Board director, and was president of the 
Jefferson Township Parent-Teacher Association. Lastly, he was a member 
of the Moores Chapel United Methodist Church.
  George was known as the ``go-to guy'' because he could fix anything 
from a tractor to a toaster, and he never said no to anyone. He was 
known for his willingness to help everyone, friends or strangers, and 
had a quick wit and a common sense which made him universally respected 
in his community.

                              {time}  1615

  George died on October 25, 2000, after a battle with lung cancer. He 
was survived by his wife of over 45 years, Juanita, five children and 
six great-grandchildren.
  George B. Lewis lived as a humble and practical man. He was not 
afraid of hard work, hard situations or hard decisions. He faced life 
with courage, common sense and a feeling of responsibility for Blue 
Creek, where his entire family still resides to this day on that same 
family farm.
  I urge my colleagues to honor this man and support this legislation.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of 
H.R. 2077, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2077.
  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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