[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 10231-10232]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    JAMES ``JIM'' KOHNEN POST OFFICE

  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1671) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 6937 Village Parkway in Dublin, California, as the 
``James `Jim' Kohnen Post Office''.

[[Page 10232]]

  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:
                               H.R. 1671
       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. JAMES ``JIM'' KOHNEN POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 6937 Village Parkway in Dublin, 
     California, shall be known and designated as the ``James 
     `Jim' Kohnen 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 ``James `Jim' Kohnen Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Meadows) and the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within 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 North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1671, introduced by 
Representative Swalwell of California, which would designate the postal 
facility located at 6937 Village Parkway in Dublin, California, as the 
James ``Jim'' Kohnen Post Office.
  Dr. Kohnen was a long-time leader in the community of Dublin. He 
passed away on May 29, 2012. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts, the 
League of Women Voters, served on the boards of five local boards of 
directors, and was an advocate for the importance of education.
  Dr. Kohnen retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a colonel 
after 30 years of service. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army War 
College, the Air War College, and the Industrial College of the Armed 
Forces.
  Having earned six higher education degrees over the course of his 
lifetime, including two bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees, and a 
doctorate in education, he became a high school teacher of political 
science, management, and general science. He also served as a member of 
the management faculties of the University of Phoenix and St. Mary's 
College.
  Mr. Speaker, the late Dr. Kohnen lived a life of humility and service 
to his community. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill to 
honor his legacy, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to join my colleagues in 
the consideration of H.R. 1671, a bill which would designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6937 Village 
Parkway in Dublin, California, as the James ``Jim'' Kohnen Post Office.
  I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague from California 
(Mr. Swalwell).
  Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
1671, which would designate the U.S. postal facility located at 6937 
Village Parkway in Dublin, California, as the James ``Jim'' Kohnen Post 
Office. I thank the Chair and the ranking member for bringing this to 
the floor today.
  On May 29, 2012, the city of Dublin, California, and the entire Tri-
Valley community lost a lifetime public servant in Dr. Jim Kohnen. 
Naming this postal facility after Dr. Kohnen would be a fitting tribute 
to a distinguished community member and Dublin's modern-day renaissance 
man.
  Dr. Kohnen retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a colonel after 30 
years of service in the Corps of Engineers. During his service, he 
graduated from the U.S. Army War College, the Air War College, and the 
Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

                              {time}  1500

  Through his work and in the community, Jim emphasized the importance 
of lifetime learning.
  His journey started with one of his earliest achievements, earning 
the rank of Eagle Scout. Jim never stopped learning, earning multiple 
degrees, including two bachelor degrees, two master's degrees, and a 
doctorate in education. A constant advocate for education and its 
importance, Dr. Kohnen completed his career by serving as a high school 
teacher at San Leandro High School, where he taught political science, 
management, and general science.
  Jim Kohnen also never stopped serving. Using his education and 
experience, Dr. Kohnen served in just about every local community 
organization possible by volunteering with a variety of local 
organizations, most often serving as their treasurer, including for the 
Boy Scouts, the Dublin Historical Preservation Association, the League 
of Women Voters, and the Knights of Columbus at St. Raymond's Church. 
Dr. Kohnen also served as an elected or appointed official on five 
boards, including the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, the 
Dublin San Ramon Services District, the Zone 7 Water Agency, the 
Alameda County Special Districts Association, and the American 
Association of Quality.
  Jim was always there to step up when we needed him to serve in any 
capacity. Jim never stopped learning, and he never stopped serving, so 
naming Dublin's post office--our only post office--after Jim is a 
fitting tribute to his lifetime contributions, and it helps to inspire 
the Tri-Valley community residents to follow in his footsteps by 
dedicating their lives to the service of others.
  Passing this bill now also ensures that Jim's surviving wife, whom he 
was married to for 47 years, Pat, and their children, Bill and Mark, 
will be able to see Jim honored. It is also the 50th anniversary this 
week of when Jim and Pat both met and graduated from Ripon College in 
Wisconsin.
  Today, we honor Jim Kohnen--loving husband and father, faithful 
public servant, soldier, and Eagle Scout. I urge my colleagues to join 
me in support of H.R. 1671.
  Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 1671, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Meadows) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1671.
  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. MEADOWS. 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 motion will be postponed.

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