Blake Farenthold

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman from South Carolina has so eloquently put it, this is a fine, fine gentleman, well deserving of having this postal facility named after him. I urge all Members to support passage of H.R. 6379 and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3869) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 600 East Capitol Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the ``Sidney `Sid' Sanders McMath Post Office Building''.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3869, introduced by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Griffin), would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 600 East Capitol Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the Sidney ``Sid'' Sanders McMath Post Office Building. The bill was introduced on February 1 and was reported from the Government Oversight and Reform Committee on February 7. Mr. Speaker, Sid McMath was a prosecuting attorney, a decorated United States Marine officer, and the 34th Governor of the great State of Arkansas. As a Marine officer, he received the Legion of Merit Silver Star for his heroic leadership during World War II. As Governor, McMath championed several infrastructure improvements to benefit his State. This included the paving of primary roads and expanding rural electrification. McMath unfortunately died in his home in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Saturday, October 4, 2003. He was given a full military funeral by the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard. Mr. Speaker, Mr. McMath is a very worthy designee of this postal facility naming, and I urge all Members to join me in support of this bill. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Griffin).

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I join with Representative Griffin in urging all of our Members to support this bill in the naming of the Sidney ``Sid'' Sanders McMath Post Office Building, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3378) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 220 Elm Avenue in Munising, Michigan, as the ``Elizabeth L. Kinnunen Post Office Building''.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add extraneous material to the Record regarding H.R. 3378.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 3378, introduced by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Benishek), would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 220 Elm Avenue in Munising, Michigan, as the Elizabeth L. Kinnunen Post Office Building. This bill was introduced November 4, 2011, and reported from the Government Oversight and Reform Committee on February 7, 2012. Mr. Speaker, Elizabeth Kinnunen was a strong pillar of her community in Munising, Michigan. She and her husband, Oscar, operated a boarding house in Marquette, Michigan, and together they raised 11 children. Two of their sons fought bravely for their country and tragically gave their lives. Her son Eiso was killed in action during World War II. Her son Raymond was killed during the Korean war. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Kinnunen is a very worthy designee of this postal facility naming, and I urge all Members to join me in the support of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of Michigan (Mr. Benishek).

Mr. FARENTHOLD. I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3378, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4389) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 19 East Merced Street in Fowler, California, as the ``Cecil E. Bolt Post Office''.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. H.R. 4389, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa), would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 19 East Merced Street in Fowler, California, as the Cecil E. Bolt Post Office. This bill was introduced on April 18, and it was reported out favorably from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June 27. Mr. Speaker, Cecil Bolt was drafted into the Army just prior to the start of World War II. He was assigned to the 75th Artillery Unit in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. After the war, Mr. Bolt returned to Fowler, California, and was appointed postmaster in 1947. He was known for his friendly service, especially when delivering packages on Christmas Eve, which is something at this time of the year we can all appreciate. Sadly, Mr. Bolt passed away on February 9, 2007, but he is fondly remembered by many family members and friends. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Bolt is a very worthy designee of this postal facility naming, and I urge all Members to join me in the support of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Having no other speakers at this time, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4389, the Cecil E. Bolt Post Office. I urge all Members to join me in support of this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6260) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 211 Hope Street in Mountain View, California, as the ``Lieutenant Kenneth M. Ballard Memorial Post Office''.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6260, introduced by the gentlelady from California (Ms. Eshoo) would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 211 Hope Street in Mountain View, California, as the ``Lieutenant Kenneth M. Ballard Memorial Post Office.'' This bill was introduced August 1 and reported favorably from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Lieutenant Ballard committed his entire adult life to serving his country. Upon graduating from Mountain View High School in 1995, Mr. Ballard enlisted in the Army. During his military career, he served in Germany, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Iraq. Sadly, Lieutenant Ballard was killed in 2004 while deployed in Iraq. I'm truly grateful for the brave and heroic service of Lieutenant Ballard and for all those who serve and defend our Nation every day. Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Ballard is a very worthy designee of this postal facility naming, and I urge all Members to join me in support of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I join the gentlelady from California and the gentlelady from New York in support of this legislation honoring Lieutenant Kenneth M. Ballard, naming the post office the Lieutenant Kenneth M. Ballard Memorial Post Office, and urge my colleagues to enthusiastically support H.R. 6260. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. I am honored to be here today, as well, to pay my respect in tribute to Congressman Ralph Hall. As a freshman in Congress, there's a whole lot to learn. When I came in, Ralph Hall was one of those people that was larger than life. And he remains larger than life after I've been here for 2 years. He is the kind of guy that you aspire to be like in Congress--able to solve problems, able to get things done across party lines, friends with everybody, always a smile on his face, always a joke on his lips. He is a problem-solver, and that's what we need here in Washington is people who solve problems. A perfect example that you've heard some of my colleagues allude to earlier today, there were some folks saying, Ralph Hall is too old to serve in Congress. Well, he solved that problem by jumping out of an airplane. And I'm going to tell you something. For a Navy pilot--I represent two naval training facilities--I guarantee you naval pilots do not like to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Getting out of an airplane is a bad sign for a Navy pilot before it's landed. Ralph Hall epitomizes and is the perfect example of what it is to be a Congressman. He could make friends with a fence post. And as I've told my wife Debbie, When I grow up, I want to be Ralph Hall.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations and best wishes to President Ma Ying-jeou on the occasion of Republic of China (Taiwan)'s National Day. This national holiday commemorates the 1911 Wu-ch'ang uprising that ended centuries of monarchy and led to the birth of the Republic of China. Taiwan and the United States enjoy a robust relationship that reflects our two countries' historical, cultural and economic ties over the last century. Despite lack of formal relations between the two countries, the United States and Taiwan continue to be strong partners in trade, cultural and educational exchanges as well as cooperation in many other areas. Taiwan's cooperation with the United States in combating global terrorism has earned the trust of the American people and boosted exchanges and friendship between our two nations. Such relations also extend to discussions over Taiwan's military needs. A strong Taipei-Washington relationship is in both governments' best interests for the stability of East Asia. This year, we celebrated the 33st anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations. My additional congratulations to the people of Taiwan for their continued participation in the World Health Assembly meetings this May in Geneva. I hope Taiwan will also soon join the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). I join my fellow colleagues in wishing the people of Taiwan a joyous National Day celebration and look forward to expanding our strong relationship.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of House Resolution 775, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I thank my freshman colleague from South Carolina. I rise today in support of this rule. America has waited long enough for the uncertainty over taxes to go away. This rule gives us the opportunity to avoid a huge tax increase and gives us the opportunity to have that debate about a fairer, flatter, simpler tax that the American people want and need and this economy wants and needs. You know, we shouldn't be having a big argument over these extensions. They passed on a bipartisan basis under Speaker Pelosi. They should pass on a bipartisan basis this time. We do not need the politics of envy and divisiveness. We need tax reform, and this puts us on the path to do it. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying bill.