July 30, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8757 Oscar Garcia Rivera, Esq., was elected As- the rules were suspended and the bill ‘‘Gusty’’ was the State Representa- semblyman in the State of New York from the was passed. tive to the Massachusetts General 14th District, on March 7, 1937. A motion to reconsider was laid on Court from the First Middlesex Dis- Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, on Novem- the table. trict from 1985 to 1994 where she rep- ber 6, 1900, Oscar Garcia Rivera was raised f resented the towns of Groton, Ayer, on a coffee plantation. As a young man, Gar- Dunstable, Lunenberg, Pepperell, GENERAL LEAVE cia Rivera demonstrated talent and leadership. Townsend, and Tyngsborough. While in He was president of his high school senior Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I ask the Massachusetts House, she served on class in 1925, and excelled in his studies. unanimous consent that all Members the Joint Committees on Election Re- After graduation from high school, Garcia may have 5 legislative days within form and Taxation and the Special came to the United States and began working which to revise and extend their re- Commission on Tax Reform. She served part time in a factory in Brooklyn, while he marks on H.R. 885, the bill just passed. as assistant minority whip in 1993–94. continued to take courses to reach his goal of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ‘‘Gusty’’ Hornblower championed becoming a lawyer. He applied for a job at the objection to the request of the gen- breast cancer research with great suc- U.S. Postal Service, obtained high rec- tleman from New York? cess in the Massachusetts State Legis- ommendations, and was assigned to the post There was no objection. lature but died of the disease in August office in City Hall. He quickly became involved f 1994. in union issues, and later encouraged the es- AUGUSTA ‘‘GUSTY’’ HORNBLOWER Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to tablishment of the Association of Puerto Rican UNITED STATES POST OFFICE support H.R. 3768. and Hispanic Employees within the U.S. Post- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of al Service. Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I move to my time. Garcia Rivera attended law school at St. suspend the rules and pass the bill b John's University, and graduated in 1930. (H.R. 3768) to designate a U.S. Post Of- 1230 Dedicated and committed to the struggles of fice to be located in Groton, MA, as the Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Pioneer Puerto Ricans and Hispanics in East ‘‘Augusta ‘Gusty’ Hornblower United myself such time as I may consume. Harlem, where poverty and discrimination States Post Office’’. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of were rampant, Garcia Rivera announced pub- The Clerk read as follows: H.R. 3768, which designates the Post Of- licly in 1937 that he would seek a seat in the H.R. 3768 fice in Groton, MA as the Augusta New York State Assembly. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- ‘‘Gusty’’ Hornblower Post Office. It is In March of the same year, he made history resentatives of the United States of America in cosponsored by the entire Massachu- by becoming the first Puerto Rican elected to Congress assembled, setts delegation, particularly my friend public office in the continental United States. SECTION 1. DESIGNATION. and colleague, Mr. BLUTE. It is a fitting He won re-election the following year and con- The United States Post Office to be located honor and duly notes the contributions tinued in this post until 1940. at 80 Boston Road in Groton, Massachusetts, made by Ms. Hornblower. She is a per- During the short time that he served in the shall be designated and known as the ‘‘Au- son well deserving of this honor, and Assembly, Oscar Garcia Rivera initiated legis- gusta ‘Gusty’ Hornblower United States Post Office’’. we certainly support the bill. lation that offered valuable and lasting con- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of tributions to his Puerto Rican community, the SEC. 2. REFERENCES. Any reference in a law, map, regulation, my time. labor movement, and the working class. He in- Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 troduced a bill guaranteeing safeguards document, paper or other record of the Unit- ed States to the United States Post Office re- minutes to the gentleman from Massa- against unemployment; this revolutionary ferred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be chusetts [Mr. BLUTE], prime sponsor of piece of legislation was enacted into law in a reference to the ‘‘Augusta ‘Gusty’ Horn- this bill. February of 1939. Garcia Rivera defended blower United States Post Office’’. Mr. BLUTE. Mr. Speaker, I want to minimum wage laws, fought for regulated The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- thank the chairman of the Subcommit- hours of labor, worked to establish tariff agree- ant to the rule, the gentleman from tee on Postal Service for helping to ments, and most importantly, he was commit- New York [Mr. MCHUGH] and the gen- move this bill expeditiously through ted to protecting the rights of manual laborers tleman from Virginia [Mr. MORAN] the committee. I thank my good friend and encouraged workers to organize them- each will control 20 minutes. from Virginia for his kind words on be- selves into active unions. He also supported The Chair recognizes the gentleman half of this bill, and I would also like the campaign which established a law which from New York [Mr. MCHUGH]. to thank my colleague from Massachu- punished lynching throughout the United Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield setts, Mr. MARTIN MEEHAN, for his co- States. myself such time as I may consume. sponsorship, and the entire Massachu- The legislative career of Oscar Garcia Ri- Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Gov- setts delegation for getting this bill. vera ended barely 3 years after it began. He ernment Reform and Oversight unani- Mr. Speaker, Augusta ‘‘Gusty’’ Horn- returned to Puerto Rico, and died in 1969 in mously approved H.R. 3768. This bill be- blower was quite a woman and quite a the town where he was born, Mayaguez. The anniversary of Oscar Garcia Rivera's fore the House today designates the good friend. She served as a State leg- election as the first Puerto Rican who attained U.S. Post Office building which the islator in Massachusetts general court a public office marks a proud moment in our Postal Service is constructing at 80 for 5 terms. She was one of the first history. Although his career as assemblyman Boston Road in Groton, MA as the women in our State to achieve the post was brief, Oscar Garcia Rivera became a ‘‘Augusta ‘Gusty’ Hornblower United of legislative leader. She was the mi- great leader in his community and a role States Post Office.’’ The legislation is nority whip for many years. She rep- model for young people. His actions trans- sponsored by the gentleman from Mas- resented her constituents well on such formed the Puerto Rican community, and im- sachusetts [Mr. BLUTE], and cospon- important issues as the closing of Fort proved working conditions for all in the State sored by the entire Massachusetts Devens, which is in her district and in of New York. State Delegation as required by proce- my district. By recognizing the tre- Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bill dures established by the Committee on mendous economic impact on her dis- to honor Oscar Garcia Rivera and mark the Government Reform and Oversight. trict with its closing, Gusty helped ac- beginning of Puerto Rican leadership in New Augusta Hornblower was known to be tivate and steer the Fort Devens Enter- York and the continental United States. both outspoken and tough in the politi- prise Commission in sharing beneficial Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield cal arena, but a kind human being and land use and industrial recovery for the back the balance of my time. a real friend on a personal level. area. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ‘‘Gusty’’ Hornblower served many She was also an advocate for lower question is on the motion offered by years in public service including as a taxes, increased educational opportuni- the gentleman from New York [Mr. trustee of the Plimoth Plantation, ties and tough crime laws. She served MCHUGH] that the House suspend the State chair and national board member on the State House Joint Committee rules and pass the bill, H.R. 885. of the American Legislative Exchange on Election Reform and Taxation as The question was taken; and (two- Council, and member of the Nashoba well as the Special Commission on Tax thirds having voted in favor thereof) Community Hospital Board. Reform. H8758 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 30, 1996 In addition to her service on the gen- Y. Caracappa United States Post Office She championed the rights of senior eral court, Gusty served the public in- Building.’’ citizens and veterans. She deserves this terest with numerous groups, such as The Clerk read as follows: honor. We support giving it to her. the Nashoba Community Hospital H.R. 3139 Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Board. She was a national board mem- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 ber of the American Legislative Ex- resentatives of the United States of America in change Council. Her love of the Com- Congress assembled, minutes to the gentleman from New monwealth of Massachusetts led her to SECTION 1. REDESIGNATION. York [Mr. FORBES], who is the sponsor work hard to preserve it. She served on The United States Post Office building lo- of this legislation. the board of trustees and then the cated at 245 Centereach Mall on Middle Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I thank board of overseers of the Plimoth Plan- Country Road in Centereach, New York, the distinguished Chair and the rank- tation, founded by her father, Henry shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Rose ing member, the gentleman from Vir- Hornblower II. In the historic town of Y. Caracappa United States Post Office ginia, for their courtesies in moving Building’’. Arlington, MA, she served on the board this legislation forward. SEC. 2. REFERENCES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encour- of trustees of the Schwamb Mill Pres- Any reference in a law, map, regulation, age enactment of H.R. 3139, a bill that ervation Trust. She also held a seat on document, paper, or other record of the Unit- I have introduced, which designates the the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. ed States to the United States Post Office post office at Centereach, Long Island, Unfortunately, Massachusetts and building referred to in section 1 shall be NY as the ‘‘Rose Y. Caracappa U.S. many of our friends lost her on August deemed to be a reference to the ‘‘Rose Y. Post Office Building.’’ 27, 1994 when she succumbed to breast Caracappa United States Post Office Build- ing.’’ Rose Caracappa was one of Suffolk cancer. However, in her last years she County’s most celebrated legislators. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- became a vocal and effective advocate Rose was a feisty, outspoken legislator ant to the rule, the gentleman from for breast cancer research and edu- who died suddenly in May of 1995. It New York [Mr. MCHUGH] and the gen- cation and was instrumental in secur- was a great loss to all of us on Long Is- tleman from Virginia [Mr. MORAN] ing an unprecedented $3 million of land, Mr. Speaker, because Rose was each will control 20 minutes. State dollars for breast cancer re- one of New York’s pioneer legislators. The Chair recognizes the gentleman search. In honors usually reserved for uni- from New York [Mr. MCHUGH]. She saw the devastating effects of formed personnel, Rose’s funeral pro- Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield this disease firsthand and helped cession was led by 13 police motor- myself such time as I may consume. women across the State with her advo- cycles and followed by half a dozen fire Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Gov- cacy. This bill is a fitting tribute to and emergency vehicles with one ernment Reform and Oversight unani- her lasting contributions to not only clanging bell, the symbol of a fallen mously approved H.R. 3139. The legisla- the people of Groton but to the people firefighter. of Massachusetts as well. tion designates the U.S. Post Office Before being elected to serve in the I thank the chairman of the commit- building located at 245 Centereach Mall Suffolk County Legislature, Rose was tee for his leadership, the gentleman on Middle Country Road in Centereach, really a person of her community. She from Virginia for supporting this bill NY, as the ‘‘Rose Y. Caracappa United had volunteered her services to the and all my colleagues for supporting States Post Office Building.’’ local Parent-Teacher’s Association, to this important bill, recognizing this ex- Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3139 was intro- her church, to the Girl Scouts, and to traordinary woman. duced by the gentleman from New the Cub Scouts, and she had been an Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield York [Mr. FORBES] and, pursuant to active member and supporter of the back the balance of my time. committee policy, the legislation has Salvation Army. Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield been cosponsored by the House delega- In 1981, after having worked as a leg- back the balance of my time. tion of the State of New York. islative aide in the county legislature, The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. H.R. 3139 honors Rose Caracappa of Rose decided to run for her own as EWING). The question is on the motion Selden, New York who was elected to county legislator in the fourth district offered by the gentleman from New the Suffolk County legislature from and she won. She served as the lone York [Mr. MCHUGH], that the House 1981 until her death in May 1995 at age conservative in the Suffolk County suspend the rules and pass the bill, 56. Ms. Caracappa served on the Suffolk Legislature for nearly 15 years. H.R. 3768. County Sewer Authority and was As a legislator, Rose was responsible The question was taken; and (two- chairperson of the committees on pub- for providing Suffolk County police of- thirds having voted in favor thereof) lic works, veterans and senior citizens. ficers with body armor and was also the rules were suspended and the bill She was known as a combative, color- noted for sponsoring the open space ac- was passed. ful legislator and was recognized for quisition of Camp Barstow, a former A motion to reconsider was laid on her tireless work for people. At the Girl Scout camp on Long Island. Dur- the table. time of her death, she was actively ing her tenure as a county legislator, f working on building a World War II she served as chairwoman of the public monument to honor those who served works, veterans, and seniors commit- GENERAL LEAVE in that war. The people whom Rose tees. Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I ask Caracappa championed—the police, She is best known as a tireless cham- unanimous consent that all Members firefighters and veterans—buried her pion for the police, for the firefighters, may have 5 legislative days in which to with full honor usually reserved for for senior citizens, and veterans. And revise and extend their remarks on the uniformed personnel. while chairing the committee on veter- bill, H.R. 3768. Mr. Speaker, I have cosponsored H.R. ans’ affairs, Rose was proud to have The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 3139 and urge our colleagues to support sponsored legislation for the Armed objection to the request of the gen- the measure. Services Plaza in Hauppauge. At the tleman from New York? Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of time of her death she was working, as There was no objection. my time. has been previously noted, on a World f Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield War II monument to be placed at the myself such time as I may consume. Armed Forces Plaza in Hauppauge to ROSE Y. CARACAPPA UNITED Mr. Speaker, we are also pleased to commemorate all those who have STATES POST OFFICE BUILDING join the New York congressional dele- served in that war. Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I move to gation supporting H.R. 3139 that des- Rose was the key legislator who or- suspend the rules and pass the bill ignates the post office in Centereach, chestrated the building of a Korean (H.R. 3139) to redesignate the United NY, as the gentleman from New York war veterans monument and a women’s States Post Office building located at [Mr. MCHUGH] has said, as the Rose Y. veterans monument in Suffolk County. 245 Centereach Mall on Middle Country Caracappa Post Office. She was a They have both been erected at the Road in Centereach, NY, as the ‘‘Rose former New York county legislator. same Hauppauge site.