March 26, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2331 postal carriers, the service responds to more There was no objection. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I than 1,000 postal-related assaults and credit Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield yield myself such time as I might con- threats, 75,000 complaints of consumer mail myself such time as I may consume. sume. fraud, and it arrests 12,000 criminal suspects Mr. Speaker, it is a real honor and (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was for mail-related crimes each year. privilege for me to bring this par- given permission to revise and extend Today, my colleagues have a special oppor- ticular legislation to the floor at this his remarks.) tunity to honor the entire United States Postal time because Floyd Spence was a close, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Service, by naming a postal facility after one personal friend of mine and one of the H.R. 917, which names a postal facility of their own heroes. With the passage of H.R. greatest Members this body has ever located at 1830 South Lake Drive in 825, The House of Representatives will re- seen. I had the privilege of traveling Lexington, South Carolina, after Floyd name the Moraine Valley, Illinois Post Office several different places with Congress- Spence, was introduced on February 25, the Michael J. Healy Post Office. man Spence and working with him on 2003, by the gentleman from South Finally, I would like to recognize Joan many different pieces of legislation. Carolina (Mr. WILSON). Healy, Michael’s mother, his brother David, H.R. 917, introduced by the gen- Floyd D. Spence, a former Member of sister Mary, and widow Barbara, as well as tleman from South Carolina (Mr. WIL- Congress, was born in Columbia, South Lieutenant Michael Ruth and the Fraternal SON), a great and honorable replace- Carolina, in 1928. He was a graduate of Lexington High School and the Univer- Order of Police, Labor Council #2, who have ment for Congressman Spence, des- sity of South Carolina. He served in the ably continued Officer Healy’s memory. ignates the facility of the United Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I States Postal Service located at 1830 United States Navy first as an ensign have no additional speakers, and I South Lake Drive in Lexington, South and later as group commander before yield back the balance of my time. Carolina, as the Floyd Spence Post Of- he retired as a captain from the U.S. Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no fice Building. The entire House delega- Naval Reserve in 1988. As a Democrat, Floyd Spence was additional speakers, and I yield back tion from the State of South Carolina first elected to public office in 1956 as a the balance of my time. has signed on as cosponsors of this leg- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The islation. member of the South Carolina State question is on the motion offered by Mr. Speaker, Congressman Floyd House of Representatives. He later switched to the Republican party and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Spence served for 16 terms in this went on to serve in the State Senate. DUNCAN) that the House suspend the House and was unquestionably one of He was first elected to the U.S. House rules and pass the bill, H.R. 825. its most influential and devoted Mem- of Representatives, representing the The question was taken; and (two- bers. Congressman Spence was first 2nd Congressional District of South thirds having voted in favor thereof) elected to this body in 1970 and was re- Carolina, in 1970. He served as chair- the rules were suspended and the bill elected 15 times by the citizens of man of the House Committee on Na- was passed. South Carolina’s 2nd District before tional Security from 1995 to 1999 and as A motion to reconsider was laid on sadly passing away on August 16, 2001. Chairman of the House Committee on the table. His diligence for his constituents, the Armed Services from 1991 to 2001. In f people of South Carolina, indeed all of America, was legendary. the last Congress, he served on the FLOYD SPENCE POST OFFICE As a Member of this House, Congress- House Committee on Armed Services BUILDING man Spence chaired the Committee on and Committee on Veterans Affairs. Mr. Speaker, Representative Floyd Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to Armed Services for 6 years. Chairing Spence represented his district for 31 suspend the rules and pass the bill the Committee on Armed Services was years until his untimely death on Au- (H.R. 917) to designate the facility of one of the most appropriate congres- gust 16, 2001. He truly is deserving of the United States Postal Service lo- sional positions Congressman Spence this honor, and I urge swift passage of cated at 1830 South Lake Drive in Lex- could have held because for much of his adult life he served in the United this measure. ington, South Carolina, as the ‘‘Floyd Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance States Naval Reserves. Spence Post Office Building’’. of my time. After graduating from the University The Clerk read as follows: Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask of South Carolina in 1952, where he had H.R. 917 unanimous consent that all remaining Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- a great athletic career, he initially was time on this legislation on our side be resentatives of the United States of America in commissioned as an ensign and later controlled by the gentleman from Con- Congress assembled, served as the group commander of all necticut (Mr. SHAYS). SECTION 1. FLOYD SPENCE POST OFFICE BUILD- naval reserve units in his hometown of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ING. Columbia, South Carolina. In 1988, Con- objection to the request of the gen- (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the gressman Spence retired from the United States Postal Service located at 1830 tleman from Tennessee? naval reserves as a captain. There was no objection. South Lake Drive in Lexington, South Caro- During his career in the House, he lina, shall be known and designated as the Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- ‘‘Floyd Spence Post Office Building’’. made no mistake about his priority to self such time as I might consume, (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, protect all Americans by being one of which will not be much because we map, regulation, document, paper, or other the strongest advocates for a strong have already put on the record that record of the United States to the facility re- national defense. Furthermore, many Floyd Spence was a tremendous Mem- ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to have looked back and credited Con- ber of Congress and an outstanding be a reference to the Floyd Spence Post Of- gressman Spence for his presence in public servant; and we are just eager to fice Building. recognizing the threat that terrorism move forward on this piece of legisla- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- posed against our country, despite the tion. ant to the rule, the gentleman from fact that he passed away less than one Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he Tennessee (Mr. DUNCAN) and the gen- month before September 11, 2001. may consume to the gentleman from tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each This House will always miss the con- South Carolina (Mr. WILSON). will control 20 minutes. tributions of Congressman Floyd Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. The Chair recognizes the gentleman Spence, as well as the wonderful person Speaker, I thank the gentleman for from Tennessee (Mr. DUNCAN). with a great sense of humor and great yielding me the time. GENERAL LEAVE kindness and compassion that he had It is a great honor for me to be the Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask for all people. author of this particular bill to name unanimous consent that all Members Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I urge the postal facility of the city of Lex- may have 5 legislative days within all Members to support the adoption of ington, which is located in the Red which to revise and extend their re- H.R. 917. I thank my colleague from Bank community, which is the central marks on the bill under consideration. South Carolina for introducing this im- part of Lexington County. It is very ap- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there portant measure. propriate, and I want to thank my col- objection to the request of the gen- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of leagues, the balance of the South Caro- tleman from Tennessee? my time. lina delegation, Mr. BROWN, Mr.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 01:44 Mar 27, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A26MR7.021 H26PT1 H2332 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 26, 2003 DEMINT, Mr. BARRETT, Mr. SPRATT and ternity. He then went on to the Univer- to warn against terrorism. He pointed Mr. CLYBURN, for joining with me as sity of South Carolina Law School out that steps needed to be taken. He cosponsors of this bill. where he achieved the highest position was a leader on that effort, and he was It is very appropriate that the Lex- available at the law school, and that also a leader in promoting a ballistic ington Post Office be named in honor was to be editor of the law review. missile defense system, working very of Congressman Floyd Spence. The rea- His military service includes service closely with President Reagan. son is that he was the favorite son of in the U.S. Navy during the Korean In terms of his community service, Lexington County. He ran for public of- Conflict. Then he returned to South we are pleased he was active with the fice in the 20th century and was elected Carolina and became the commanding Boy Scouts. At the age of 17, he was a and reelected more times than any officer of all Naval reserve units in scout master. He was awarded by Gov- other elected official in our county and South Carolina. He retired in 1988 as a ernor Jim Edwards and Governor actually in our region in the midlands captain in the U.S. Navy, but still de- Campbell of South Carolina the highest of South Carolina. voted to the Reserves. honor of a citizen of South Carolina, Additionally, he, by becoming Chair- He was a former church being the Order of Palmetto. man of the Committee on National Se- councilmember and Sunday school He received a Doctor of Law degree curity, which is the Committee on teacher at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church from the Citadel in Charleston and also Armed Services, he achieved the high- in Lexington, he was the first president a Doctor of Public Service degree from est position in national government of of the Lexington Historical Society, the University of South Carolina. any person ever from the midlands of and he was chairman of the Lexington When I think of Congressman Floyd South Carolina. We are very grateful County Mental Health Association. Spence, I think of the political courage for his service; and it is just so appro- In his political career, he was first he had and also the personal courage. priate, again, to give him this recogni- elected in 1956 as a very young person, In 1988, he had a double-lung trans- tion. as a Democrat to the House of Rep- plant. He had been suffering from a dis- Congressman Spence was born April resentatives in South Carolina. Then in ease which had affected his lungs to 9, 1928, in Columbia, our capital city, 1962 he switched to the Republican the point he was near imminent death; and he passed away on August 16, 2001. Party beginning a very historic re- but thanks to a wonderful doctor, Dr. He was the son of James Wilson Spence alignment and political revolution in Seshadri Laju, of Jackson, Mississippi, and Addie Jane Lucas Spence of Lex- South Carolina. He was the first elect- Congressman Spence was the bene- ington County. He was married to the ed official to switch parties. This was ficiary of a double-lung transplant. He late Lula Hancock Drake of Drake, very historic and brave on his part in survived from this and then in fact in South Carolina, in Marlboro County in that in the 20th century prior to his the year 2000 had a kidney transplant. 1952; and they had four sons, who are switching parties, there had only been In South Carolina, we are very proud of all outstanding in our community, one Republican in the House of Rep- Congressman Floyd Spence as the mir- David, Zack, Benjamin and Caldwell. resentatives in the entire 20th century, acle Congressman, and it is with great When the Congressman was elected and that was in 1961, Charles Boineau pleasure that I urge adoption of the in 1970, Lu was so special. She truly was elected to the House of Represent- resolution. raised the four boys. In fact, their atives from Richland County in a spe- Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- home was known as Lexington, Dis- cial election. And so by his switching self such time as I may consume. trict of Columbia. She, in effect, really parties, he immediately doubled the Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the with the four sons had virtually on the number of elected Republicans in pub- gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. shores of Lake Marion a recreation lic office. WILSON) for introducing this legisla- center where she was the surrogate That has led to the realignment tion. I want to say to the gentleman mother for dozens of young people in which was completed this year where that I am certain that Floyd Spence our community; and she was quite be- now the Republican Party in South would be very proud of the job he is loved until she passed away in 1978. Carolina has a majority in the State now doing for the people of his district, Then Congressman Spence married 10 House, the State Senate and Governor which is the district Floyd Spence rep- years later Deborah Ellen Williams of for the first time since 1877, and many resented before. Lexington. Debbie Spence indeed is an- of us credit the late Congressman Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, Floyd Spence other very dear lady; and she has been Floyd Spence and his integrity in was a true Southern gentleman, a good friend, given such due credit as being the per- switching to the Republican Party. a dedicated Congressman, and a champion of son who helped Congressman Spence in In the General Assembly, he ulti- a strong national defense. I had the pleasure his recuperation from a very historic mately was elected to the State Senate of serving with him on the Armed Services operation, being a double lung trans- in 1966 and served for 4 years. He was a Committee during his chairmanship, and I plant. leader in establishing the technical found that he always worked for the better- college system in South Carolina, ment of our men and women in uniform and 1245 b which has been so instrumental in our of our national security. I miss him very much. Mr. Spence is believed to be the fifth efforts to recruit industry to South About 2 years ago, an overflow crowd gath- person in the United States to have Carolina and provide good jobs for the ered in the House Armed Services Committee this experimental operation, and it is people of South Carolina. hearing room for the unveiling of Floyd’s por- due to her loving care that he Additionally, he was one of the lead trait as chairman of committee. Often we do recuperated and continued his service authors of the bill which established not have the chance to let friends know how in Congress. the Lexington Medical Center, which is we feel about them before they are gone, so Congressman Spence began his lead- one of the largest hospitals in all of I am very grateful that we had that evening to- ership career very early. He was presi- South Carolina. In Congress, he was gether to enjoy Floyd’s company and let him dent of the student body at Lexington elected in 1970. He was very proud of know how much he meant to us. High School. He then went to play All- his service on the Committee on Vet- Floyd Spence began serving his country as State Football. He was on the South erans Affairs. He worked very hard as an active duty member of the U.S. Naval Re- Carolina Shrine Bowl team, and he the ranking member of the House Com- serve during the Korean conflict. That service went to the University of South Caro- mittee on Official Standards, which is continued until the end of his life. Our former lina where he was president of the stu- the ethics committee. I remember so chairman understood that our Nation needs a dent body. He was recognized by ODK well his feeling so strongly about serv- strong national defense, and he worked tire- Fraternity as one of the great leaders ing on that particular committee lessly with Members on both sides of the aisle of the school. He received the Algernon which gets no real public attention. to strengthen our Armed Forces, and to take Sidney Sullivan Award as the out- Then of course we were so proud he care of our men and women in uniform and standing male graduate. He was on the was selected and elected as the chair- their families. No one spoke out more force- football and basketball teams and was man of the Committee on National Se- fully on the need to maintain readiness. On captain of the track team. He was also curity, which is now the Committee on rare occasion, we disagreed. But never dis- a member of Kappa Sigma Kappa fra- Armed Services, where he led the effort agreeably. Our relationship was one of mutual

VerDate Jan 31 2003 01:44 Mar 27, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K26MR7.048 H26PT1 March 26, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2333 respect based on values which we both Congressman Spence was known for his revise and extend their remarks on the learned in small towns named Lexington—one amiable ways. Although opponents often criti- bill under consideration. in South Carolina and one in Missouri. cized the lack of his own legislation, Spence The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there During the years Floyd Spence served on was a proud voice against big Washington objection to the request of the gen- the House Armed Services Committee, he government and he resisted introducing fed- tleman from Connecticut? blessed us with his leadership; honored us eral legislation. There was no objection. with his friendship; and inspired us with his Mr. Speaker, Floyd Spence was recognized Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- courage. Floyd Spence was courteous, around the world as an authority on defense self such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 981 was introduced thoughtful, respectful of others. It was a pleas- issues and Communism. His tireless efforts on by the gentleman from Pennsylvania ure for me to serve in Congress with this de- behalf of our national defense are a testimony (Mr. ENGLISH). It designates the facil- cent, fair, and honorable man. We are all the to his enduring will to serve and to triumph in ity of the United States Postal Service richer for his years of dedicated service to the the face of adversity. Here is Washington and located at 141 Erie Street in Linesville, Armed Services Committee, the Congress, the at home, he was recognized as a man of fis- Pennsylvania, as the James R. Merry people of South Carolina, and the Nation. It is cal integrity and true legislative restraint. As Post Office. The entire House delega- so fitting that we act to name the post office President Bush stated upon his death in 2001, tion from the State of Pennsylvania in Floyd Spence’s hometown in his honor. Floyd Spence will be remembered as a true has signed on as cosponsors to this leg- Mr. JEFF MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker. friend of the men and women in our armed islation. I rise today in support of H.R. 917, to des- services and as a servant of his fellow South ignate the facility of the United States Postal Mr. Speaker, former State represent- Carolinians. He was a leader of great courage ative Jim Merry was a devoted public Service located at 1830 South Lake Drive in and determination. Lexington, South Carolina, as the ‘‘Floyd servant who worked in the State legis- Mr. Speaker, although I did not have the op- lature for the people of Pennsylvania Spence Post Office Building.’’ portunity to serve with Congressman Spence, Floyd Spence began his political career as for 16 years. He was known to be well I learned a great deal from his example. It is a Democrat in the South Carolina House of liked by Representatives on both sides with great admiration that I today support the Representatives in 1956, but he is remem- of the aisle, and he capitalized on his dedication of the Floyd Spence Post Office bered for having the foresight and the courage good relations with colleagues to pass Building to a true American patriot. to switch parties. In 1962, he became the first many meaningful pieces of legislation Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield member of the General Assembly to switch to for his district. back the balance of my time. the Republican Party, which helped pioneer Beyond his political career, Jim The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. the development of the two-party system in Merry was remarkably involved in his STEARNS). The question is on the mo- South Carolina. In 1966, he was elected as a hometown of Linesville, where he Republican to the South Carolina Senate tion offered by the gentleman from owned for 25 years a successful auto- where he served as the Senate Minority Lead- Tennessee (Mr. DUNCAN) that the House motive shop, the Linesville Western er. suspend the rules and pass the bill, Auto Store. In addition, he served as a In 1971, Congressman Spence was elected H.R. 917. borough councilman and was active in to the Ninety-second Congress, and rep- The question was taken; and (two- the local chapters of the American Le- resented South Carolina’s Second Congres- thirds having voted in favor thereof) gion, Rotary Club, and other service sional district for thirty years. During his ten- the rules were suspended and the bill organizations. ure, he served in a numerous positions of was passed. Sadly, Representative Merry passed leadership: For thirteen years, he was the A motion to reconsider was laid on away on February 1, 2001. Since James Ranking Member of the Ethics Committee. In the table. R. Merry was a lifelong resident of the the 104th Congress, he was elected to rep- f town of Linesville, it would be ex- resent the Tidewater Region on the Repub- tremely appropriate if this House lican Policy Committee. He also served as JAMES R. MERRY POST OFFICE would act to rename this post office Chairman of the Committee on National Secu- Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to building in his hometown after one of rity and after serving as Ranking Member, be- suspend the rules and pass the bill Linesville’s most venerated citizens. came Chairman of the Armed Services Com- (H.R. 981) to designate the facility of I urge Members to support adoption mittee following the 1995 Republican takeover the United States Postal Service lo- of H.R. 981. I thank the gentleman from of the House. cated at 141 Erie Street in Linesville, Pennsylvania (Mr. ENGLISH) for intro- One of the longest-serving Republicans in Pennsylvania, as the ‘‘James R. Merry ducing this important measure. the House of Representatives, Floyd Spence Post Office.’’ Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of maintained one of the highest voting attend- The Clerk read as follows: my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ance records, while consistently supporting a H.R. 981 strong national defense and fiscal integrity. yield myself such time as I may con- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- sume. Spence once said, ‘‘I make no bones about resentatives of the United States of America in the fact my Number One priority is defending Mr. Speaker, H.R. 981, which des- Congress assembled, ignates a postal facility located at 141 this country.’’ SECTION 1. JAMES R. MERRY POST OFFICE. He drew his passion for the military from his Erie Street in Linesville, Pennsyl- (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the vania, after James R. Merry was intro- own experiences. After graduating from the United States Postal Service located at 141 University of South Carolina in 1952, Spence Erie Street in Linesville, Pennsylvania, shall duced by the gentleman from Pennsyl- was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. be known and designated as the ‘‘James R. vania (Mr. ENGLISH) on February 27, Navy and served aboard the USS Carter Hall Merry Post Office’’. 2003. (LSD–3) and the LSM–397. He was the Group (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, Mr. Merry was a former Pennsyl- Commander of all Naval Reserve Units in Co- map, regulation, document, paper, or other vania State representative who rep- lumbia, South Carolina, and was the Com- record of the United States to the facility re- resented his constituents in the legisla- ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to manding Officer of a Naval Reserve Surface ture for 16 years, from 1980 to 1996. A be a reference to the James R. Merry Post graduate of Linesville School, Mr. Division. After more than 40 years in the Office. United States Naval Reserve, the Congress- Merry went on to operate a successful The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- man retired as a Captain in 1988. Spence was business in town and remained very ac- ant to the rule, the gentleman from a member of the American Legion, Sons of tive in local affairs, serving as a bor- Confederate Veterans, and Veterans of For- Connecticut (Mr. SHAYS) and the gen- ough councilman and later as president eign Wars. tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each of the local chamber of commerce. As a Congressman Spence was a longtime Pen- will control 20 minutes. man dedicated to his community and tagon booster from a state that, like my home The Chair recognizes the gentleman its residents, it is truly an honor to state of Florida, benefited greatly from his ad- from Connecticut (Mr. SHAYS). name a postal facility after the late vocacy. He supported the Reagan administra- GENERAL LEAVE James R. Merry, who passed away on tion military buildup and opposed the size of Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- February 1, 2001. I join Members in sup- post-Cold Ware defense cuts made during the imous consent that all Members may port of this measure and urge its swift Clinton administration. have 5 legislative days within which to passage.

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