[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19337-19338]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1640
                       WAYNE GRISHAM POST OFFICE

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2158) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the 
``Wayne Grisham Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2158

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

     SECTION 1. WAYNE GRISHAM POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, 
     California, shall be known and designated as the ``Wayne 
     Grisham 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 ``Wayne Grisham Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Issa) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 2158, introduced by my colleague and friend, the gentlelady from 
California, Ms. Linda Sanchez, would designate the facility of the 
United States Post Office located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, 
California, as the ``Wayne Grisham Post Office.''
  This bill enjoys bipartisan support. In fact, every Member of the 
California delegation supports it, all 53.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that Wayne Grisham, a man who 
dedicated his life to public service, be recognized. Born in 1923, Mr. 
Grisham served as a fighter pilot in World War II and was shot down 
over Germany, earning a Purple Heart.
  After a successful career in real estate, Mr. Grisham was elected to 
the La Mirada City Council, where he served for 8 years. In 1978, he 
was elected to serve as a Member of this body, representing 
California's 33rd Congressional District. He served for two terms.
  In 1983, he was appointed by then President Reagan to serve as the 
director of the Peace Corps in Kenya. After his service in Kenya, Mr. 
Grisham was elected to the California State Assembly in 1984, where he 
served until 1998.
  Sadly, Mr. Speaker, on January of this year, Mr. Grisham died at the 
age of 88. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, his son, daughter, 
and five grandchildren.
  After his death, he was described by the distinguished chairman of 
the Rules Committee, Mr. Dreier--who Mr. Grisham lost to in a 1982 
reelection bid--as being the model of civility and a true gentleman. 
Mr. Speaker, we don't hear that very much in this body. I'll repeat it; 
as the model of civility and a true gentleman.
  I urge Members to join me in supporting this legislation in honoring 
a true public servant.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page 19338]]

  I join with my colleague from the other side of the aisle and rise in 
support of H.R. 2158, which would rename the U.S. postal facility at 
14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the ``Wayne Grisham 
Post Office.''
  This bill was first introduced by my colleague and friend, 
Representative Linda Sanchez of California. The bill is widely 
supported by the members of the California delegation and has been 
properly vetted and approved by the Oversight and Government Reform 
Committee.
  At this time I would like to yield such time as she may consume to my 
good friend and colleague, Ms. Sanchez.
  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
strong support of H.R. 2158, a bill which would designate the facility 
of the United States Postal Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La 
Mirada as the Wayne Grisham Post Office.
  We could not be honoring a more deserving member of the Southern 
California community. Wayne Grisham dedicated his life to our country 
and to southern California. He valiantly served as a fighter pilot 
during World War II and was held as a prisoner of war when his plane 
was shot down over Germany. Mr. Grisham was awarded the Purple Heart 
and Air Medal for his courageous service.
  After the war, Wayne returned home to Whittier College, where he 
earned a bachelor's degree in economics and went on to teach elementary 
school in Long Beach. Eventually, an entrepreneurial spirit led Mr. 
Grisham to open his own realty business in La Mirada, which he 
maintained for much of his life.
  A self-described ``conservative do-gooder,'' his dedication to our 
local community was truly remarkable. Mr. Grisham proudly served the 
city of La Mirada for over two decades, beginning in 1970 when he was 
elected to the city council. He later went on to be the mayor of that 
city.
  Wayne once said, ``I think of myself as an average guy, and I think 
it was the average guy who elected me.'' It was that connection with 
the community that guided Wayne throughout his career.
  Mr. Grisham continued his service to the community with his election 
to Congress in 1978 and the California State Assembly in 1984. He also 
lent his talents to the Peace Corps, serving as director in Kenya.
  More important than his dedication to our local community was Wayne's 
life as a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He married his 
high school sweetheart, Millie Watt, in 1944 and had three beautiful 
children--Cathy, Randy, and Kellie. Wayne was also blessed with seven 
grandchildren.
  Wayne's daughter Kellie recently remembered her father this way: ``He 
was always smiling and always had a kind word. He loved when he could 
help people. He took great pride in the work he did for the city of La 
Mirada, the State of California, and the United States of America. He 
was a genuinely sincere person with great integrity. He believed in 
treating everyone with respect.''
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the service 
and memory of this dedicated civic leader.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor to yield such time as he 
may consume to a friend and colleague who would like to speak on Mr. 
Grisham's behalf, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).
  Mr. LEWIS of California. I want to first say I very much appreciate 
my colleagues' recognizing the service of our dear friend Wayne 
Grisham.
  In my early days in the Congress, Arlene and I spent a good deal of 
time with Wayne and Millie. We traveled together and talked often of 
other trips we could take with one another. Our favorite place in the 
West, for example, is Catalina Island, and we had planned to spend at 
least one weekend--if not many--there together. It is with great regret 
that I rise today in recognition of his passing in January.
  Mr. Speaker, I arise to honor the life of my friend and colleague 
Wayne Grisham. During our early years in Congress, Wayne and his wife 
Millie became our dear friends. We traveled together and often talked 
of a weekend at our mutual favorite place in the west--Catalina Island. 
We miss them both in our lives.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, having no additional speakers, I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 2158, which renames the La Miranda, 
California, post office after Mr. Wayne Grisham, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Wayne Grisham. 
From serving as a decorated combat pilot during World War II, to his 
public service as Mayor of La Mirada and later, as a Member of 
Congress, Wayne Grisham honorably served his nation, his state and his 
community.
  After graduating from Jordan High School in Long Beach, California, 
Wayne Grisham joined the Army Air Corps. During World War II, he became 
a prisoner of war after his aircraft was shot down on a combat mission 
over Germany. For his valor, he was awarded the Purple Heart. After the 
war, Wayne completed his studies at Whittier College and the University 
of Southern California and went on to build a successful real estate 
company.
  In 1970, Wayne began his political career on the La Mirada City 
Council and soon became the city's mayor. Wayne was elected to Congress 
in 1978 and was immediately known for his civility. President John F. 
Kennedy said in his inaugural address that ``civility is not a sign of 
weakness.'' This was certainly true of Wayne Grisham. In 1982, Wayne 
and I found ourselves in the unfortunate circumstance of having our 
districts drawn together. I was honored to call Wayne Grisham, not only 
a colleague, but a friend, and while we engaged in a rigorous campaign, 
I will never forget Wayne's strength of character and enduring 
friendship. Wayne continued his dedication to public service through 
elected office in California and as the director of the Peace Corps in 
Kenya.
  Mr. Speaker, it was a privilege to have served in Congress with Wayne 
Grisham and I am pleased that we are able to honor him today.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2158.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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