1963 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE 20409 General Gronouski's remarks which fol­ fund ls another indication of the marvelous crease educational opportunities at every job organized labor ls doing to open educa­ level. Included are provlsiops for both loans low: tional opportunities for its members' chll• and grants for construction to colleges and One of the first things I heard about the dren. AFL-CIO unions award more than universities, and for assistance to students postal service was that letter carriers always 1,000 scholarships annually, at a cost of pursuing graduate study. I urge you to get know what ls happening long before anyone more than $1 million each year. behind this program and give it all the sup- else does. The scheduling of this dinner ls I feel very deeply that every child who port you can. · a case in point. The date was set months has the talent and ablUty to make use of I want now to present our City Delivery before I even knew I was going to be the a college education should get one. We talk commemorative stamp. The whimsical Postmaster General. But the letter carriers a great deal about equality of educational drawing of a 19th century letter carrier must have known. Why else would they have opportunity ln this country, but we do shock­ walking ln the rain accompanied by a set this great celebration on my birthday? ingly little about lt. Huge differences con­ small boy and a dog was done by Norman It ls a pleasure to be here to help honor tinue to exist in the kind and quality of Rockwell. We all take free mail delivery to Bill Doherty and to commemorate the 100th education available to our children. our homes so much for granted now that anniversary of free city delivery. Free city Eight percent of our young people stlll fall it seems a little hard to believe that it began delivery ls even older than I am. And it ls to complete the eighth grade. One-third only a hundred years ago. Up until 1863, a lot older than Bill Doherty, even though never finish high school. Almost half of when free delivery was inaugurated in his name has been synonymous with letter those who do graduate from high school don't 49 cities, mall in large communities was carriers in Washington for about as long as go on to college. Among them are many delivered by private carriers who charged the anyone can remember. But Blll ls stm bright and ambitious youngsters. These recipient 2 cents per letter. Where the young and exuberant. young people want to continue their edu­ "penny post," as it was called, was not in use, Bill Doherty ls one of the great labor cation, but they simply cannot afford it. mail had to be picked up at the local post leaders of thls era. In his 30 years aa a Half of the students in private colleges and office. Picking up one's mail could be an national officer of the National Association universities come from familles who rank onerous chore. Lines of people often of Letter Carriers, he played a central role in the top 10 percent of the Nation in terms stretched out for long distances from de­ ln building unions of Government employeea of income. In public institutions 25 per­ ll very windows. into the influential and responsible organi­ cent come from familles ranking in the top Montgomery Blair, Abraham Lincoln's zations they are today. 10 percent in terms of income. Postmaster General, who instituted free de­ Bill Doherty was one of the best ambas­ This should not really surprise us. It livery, believed that good service and the sadors the postal service and Federal em­ costs about e1,750 to send a boy or girl to convenience of the public should ln all in­ ployee organizations ever had. The country college for a year. Median family income stances be the. primary consideration of the was fortunate in getting him-to put hls am­ last year was less than $6,000. In other Post Office Department, a belief we stlll sub­ bassadorial talents to work for the Nation. words, it takes almost one-third of an aver­ scribe to. In 1887, Congress required the He ls the first labor leader to become an am­ age family's entire income to finance a y~·s Department to extend free delivery to every bassador in the Nation's history. From all college education for a single child. What city with a population of over 50,000, and the reports I get he is doing a brilliant job. ls a family with nine children-like Bill Do­ permitted its extension to smaller commu­ Back in 1961, when he was still president herty's--aupposed to do? To me, this ls a nities having a population of 10,000, or gro.ss of the NALC, Bill Doherty said the follow­ terrible and depressing situation. p06t office revenues of $10,000. The Depart­ ing about the personnel policies of the new The postwar baby crop is now advancing ment now employs about 170,000 city letter postal administration: "The labor-manage­ to college age. College enrollment ls ex­ carriers. ment climate ls practically ideal. For the pected to double ln the present decade, first time tn our .recorded history, our opin­ The city delivery stamp ls the first com­ rtmehing 7 million by 1970. To meet the memorative to employ a phosphorescent ions are sought and seriously considered be­ minimum needs of this enrollment. we "tagging" technique. The stamps are coated fore important policy decisions affecting us should be spending $2.3 billlon a year for the with a lumlneecent material that glows green are made." expansion of college fac111ties. So far we are under the special lamps of a new electronic I am delighted that organizations of Fed­ spending only $1.3 billion. mail sorting machine. Airmail stamps. eral employees have flourished under the Progressive mechanization and the increas­ coated with luminescent material will glow Kennedy administration and that the Post ing complexity of American society demand red. The new equipment detects stamps, Office Department has taken the lead in the that we sharply upgrade the educational automatically cancels them, and sorts all the area of enlightened labor relations. I want level of our entire population. There are envelopes so that they face the same way. to reiterate what I have already said several great gaps in the country's need for trained It can handle up to 30,000 envelopes per times since becoming Postmaster General. personnel-teachers and engineers, doctors hour. The new gear is an improvement over I intend to carry forward the program of con­ and nurses--but there ls less and less demand our older facer-canceler machines which sultative management. My door will alway& for people with no significant training. be open to union leaders who have problems When are we going to take action to meet operate on a photoelectric principle. It ls a which they w~ to d1scuss with me. this need? When are we finally going to see part of our overall program of developing Bill Doherty managed to achieve great to it that gifted youngsters are not prevented and installing the most modern available things without the advantage of a college by weight of economic circumstance from techniques in the handling of mall. education. The Wllliam C. Doherty Scholar­ getting the education they require to fill I hope that this stamp, which went on aale ship Fund, which will enable talented sons openings in technical and professional fields? in Washington today. will remind Americans and daughters of letter carriers to go to col­ President Kennedy's omnibus education everywhere of the fine spirit and dedication lege. ls a wonderful way to honor him. The blll calls for substantial Federal aid to in- of the men who deliver the mall. Inspire us with a deeper experience that the Senate had passed without HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of Thy presence for this is our greatest amendment a joint resolution of the need and the secret of our highest joy House of the following title: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1963 in a time when fear comes upon us and H.J. Bes. 782. Joint resolution maktng The House met at 12 o'clock noon. our faith begins to waver. continuing appropriations for the fiscal year The Chaplain, Rev. Bernard Braskamp, we earnestly beseech Thee that Thou 1964, and for other purposes. wilt enthrone the spirit of our Lord in D.D., offered the following prayer: the mind and heart of our President, our The message also announced that the Job 28: 28: Behold the fear of the Lord. Speaker, our Members of Congress, and Senate agrees to the amendment of the that is wisdom,· and to depart from evil all who are charged with the high voca­ House to a concurrent resolution of the is understanding. tion of building a civilization that will Senate of the following title: Eternal God, we are again turning our be worthy of being preserved and per­ S. Con. Res. 68. A concurrent resolution thoughts and desires toward Thee for petuated. to print additional copies of the hearings on Thou alone canst give wisdom to guide, Hear us in His name. Amen. the nuclear test ban treaty for the Com­ strength to sustain. and hope to cheer mittee on Foreign Relations. us in these perilous days. THE JOURNAL Grant that we may commend and The Journal of the proceedings of yes­ commit ourselves completely and unre­ terday was read and: approved.