To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 57 Old Tappan Road in Tappan, New York, as the "John G. Dow Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3166, legislation to name the United States Postal Facility at 57 Old Tappan Road in Tappan, New York after former Congressman John G. Dow. The House of Representatives lost a member of its family on March 11th of this year when John Dow passed on at the age of 97. After living a storied life dedicated to serving the propel of Rockland County and the State of New York, it is a privilege to honor this great man on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Born and bred in New York, John Dow earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and later a master's from Columbia University. In 1954 he began his career in public service holding the post of Civil Defense Director in Grandview, NY and later Chairman of the Grand View Zoning Board of Appeals. John Dow then stepped onto the national political scene, winning a seat in Congress in 1965 in the 22nd Congressional District, which encompassed Rockland County.

John Dow served just six years in Congress but his imprint on this body was far greater than his tenure. He was one of the few Members of Congress that openly questioned and opposed the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Despite popular opinion, he spoke out against laws that would ban flag burning and fiercely defended the civil rights movements, even marching in the south to show his support for equal rights. He was an independent thinker that did not always take the popular stand but fought for what he felt was right for Rockland County, for New York, and for the United States.

John Dow upheld the great values of this country at a time when we most needed it. He was considered a voice of dissent in the Congress against the Vietnam War even though it was a President of the same party leading us into that war. John Dow's warnings and cautions would ring true in later years as the reality of the Vietnam War set in. His principled stance eventually cost him the opportunity to continue serving in Congress but that did not deter him. As the political winds shifted, John Dow was swept out of office in 1968. He would return for another term, winning election in 1970, but would lose his seat for good two years later. However, John Dow would continue serving the people of New York and Rockland County until his death.

Mr. Speaker, I am a life-long New Yorker and I am proud of that fact. I am proud to serve the people of my district and the Rocklanders that John Dow once represented. It is a tribute to his service and his memory that every Member of the New York delegation, Democrat and Republican alike cosponsored this legislation to honor one of our own. I want to thank Chairman Davis and Congressman Waxman for expediting this legislation so that we can honor Congressman Dow and his service to this great nation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3166) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 57 Old Tappan Road in Tappan, New York, as the ``John G. Dow Post Office Building.''

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3166, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), designates this U.S. Postal Service facility in Tappan, New York as the ``John G. Dow Post Office Building.'' The entire New York State delegation has cosponsored this legislation.

Congressman John Dow was elected to a seat in this House from the people of New York's Hudson Valley in 1964. He dutifully served three terms in this body during the height of the Vietnam War. He was known for his strong opposition to the war during that tumultuous period in American history.

Congressman Dow passed away on March 11th of this year at the age of 97. He was a principled, poised, and passionate representative of the people of New York.

Along with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), I certainly want to extend the best wishes of this House to the family of John Dow. The post office in Tappan will be a deserved commemoration of his public service. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3166, and I congratulate the gentleman from New York for having his bill considered by the whole House.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 3166. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I rise in support of H.R. 3166, legislation naming a postal facility located at 57 Old Tappan Road in Tappan, New York, after John G. Dow. H.R. 3166, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) on September 24, 2003, was unanimously approved by our committee on October 8, 2003. The

measure has met the Committee on Government Reform policy and has the support and cosponsorship of the entire New York State delegation.

Mr. John G. Dow was a former Member of Congress and a staunchly liberal New York Democrat from the lower Hudson Valley. One of the earliest congressional opponents of the Vietnam War, he died in March of this year at the age of 97. John Dow was born in New York City in 1905 and grew up in New Jersey. His family later moved to Kennebunkport, Maine. He graduated from Harvard University, became a businessman and began dabbling in local politics, serving as chairman of the Zoning and Appeals Board.

In 1964, Mr. Dow won election to Congress, representing Rockland County, New York. Representative John Dow served two terms before he was defeated. He later ran again and won his seat back, serving one term before being defeated by Representative Benjamin Gilman.

Mr. Speaker I commend my colleagues for seeking to honor the memory of the late Representative John Dow by naming a postal facility after him, and I urge swift adoption of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to consideration of Calendar No. 367, H.R. 3166.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.