To redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 48 South Broadway in Nyack, New York, as the "Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Illinois for yielding time, as well as my friend from Connecticut.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1591, legislation I have worked on with our Senator, Senator Schumer, to name the United States Postal Service facility at 48 South Broadway in Nyack, New York, in my district, after three heroes: Nyack Police Officers Edward O'Grady and Waverly Brown, and Brinks Guard Peter Paige.

I am proud to have introduced H.R. 3167, the House version of this bill, that has the support of the entire 29-member New York State delegation in the House. It is a true testament to those three brave men who helped prevent the deaths of countless others 22 years ago today when an armed gang attempted to rob a Brinks armored truck in the middle of the day at a crowded mall with no regard for the lives that would fall in their wake. The naming of this Federal building will serve as a living memorial to these fine men who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their community.

Mr. Speaker, there are few events that rock a community such as this. To this day, the people of Rockland County can recount the events of October 20, 1981, as if it were yesterday. This wonderful, tranquil community was awakened by the stark gunfire of a gang of heavily armed murderers and thieves who struck at the heart of the community, the Nanuet Mall, where children and families shop, eat, and spend time throughout the year. This brazen act forever changed Rockland County and the families of those gunned down.

It is reassuring to know that Peter Paige, Edward O'Grady, and Waverly Brown did not die in vain. After this horrific incident, Rockland County implemented new training measures and policies that have saved the lives of many officers over the last 22 years.

In addition to better coordination with State and Federal agencies, the Rockland County Police Department also began rigorous new training programs designed to deal with these types of crises. These new policies undoubtedly enhanced the Rockland PD's response to September 11 and the subsequent war on terror.

Also, every year on October 20, and as we are speaking now this is happening at this moment, the community gathers at a park on the Hudson River dedicated to their memory to honor their lives and their heroism. Today, the loved ones of these fine men are there remembering their son, their father, their friend. I am honored and humbled to inform them that the House of Representatives is recognizing them as well, and that the memory will be forever imprinted on Rockland County and, indeed, on our entire Nation.

This honor comes at a difficult time for the families of the victims as a participant in the robbery, Kathy Boudin, was recently paroled. Although she has regained her freedom, the lives of Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, and Peter Paige can never be replaced and the wounds their families and friends and the community still feel can never be healed. So, again, this is a fitting tribute to the memory of those lost and the lives of those still with us who grieved for their loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank both the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), and the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), for moving

this legislation quickly through the committee and to the floor so it can be considered today, the exact anniversary of that tragic day.

I also want to thank the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), for his help and cooperation in facilitating this process, and the minority leader, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), for her support today. In addition, today would not be possible without the tireless work of our Senator, Chuck Schumer, and the entire New York delegation, who have come together as New Yorkers do in a time of need and have unanimously supported this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1591, legislation I am working on together with Senator Schumer, to name the United States Postal Service facility at 48 South Broadway in Nyack after three heroes, Nyack Police Officers Edward O'Grady and Waverly Brown, and Brinks Guard Peter Paige. I am proud to have introduced H.R. 3167, the House version of this bill that has the support of the entire New York delegation. It is a true testament to these brave men who helped prevent the deaths of countless others 22 years ago when an armed gang attempted to rob a Brinks Armored Truck in the middle of the day at a crowded mall with no regard for the lives that would fall in their wake. The naming of this federal building will serve as a living memorial to these fine men who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their community.

Mr. Speaker, there are few events that rock a community such as this. To this day, the people of Rockland County can recount the events of October 20, 1981, as if it were yesterday. This wonderful, tranquil community was awakened by the stark gunfire of a gang of heavily armed murderers and thieves who struck at the heart of the community, the Nanuet Mall, where children and families, shop, eat, and spend time throughout the year. This brazen act forever changed Rockland County and the families of those gunned down.

It is reassuring to know that Peter Paige, Edward O'Grady, and Waverly Brown did not die in vain. After this horrific incident, Rockland County implemented new training measures and policies that have saved the lives of many officers over the last 22 years. In addition to better coordination with state and federal agencies, the Rockland County Police Departments also began rigorous new training programs designed to deal with these types of crisis. These new policies undoubtedly enhanced the Rockland PD's response to September 11th and the subsequent war on terror. Also, every year on October 20th, the community gathers at a park on the Hudson River dedicated to their memory to honor their lives and their heroism. Today, the loved ones of these fine men are there--remembering their son, their father, their friend. I am honored and humbled to inform them that the House of Representatives is recognizing them as well, and that their memory will be forever imprinted on Rockland County, and our entire Nation.

This honor comes at a difficult time for the families of the victims as a participant in the robbery, Kathy Boudin, was recently paroled. Although she has regained her freedom, the lives of Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, and Peter Paige can never be replaced and the wounds their families and friends still feel can never be healed. So again, this is a fitting tribute to the memory of those lost and the lives of those still with us who grieve for their loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank both Chairman Tom Davis and Ranking Member Henry Waxman for moving this legislation quickly through the Committee and to the floor so it could be considered today on the anniversary of that tragic day. I also want to thank Majority Leader Tom DeLay for his help and cooperation in facilitating this process and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for her support. In addition, today would not be possible without the tireless work of Senator Chuck Schumer, and the entire New York delegation who have come together as New Yorkers do in a time of need and have unanimously supported this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1591) to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 48 South Broadway, Nyack, New York, as the ``Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige 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, S. 1591 introduced by Senator Charles Schumer of New York, designates this postal service facility in Nyack, New York as the ``Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige Post Office Building.'' The three namesakes of this post office designation were tragically killed during a malicious robbery of a Brinks Corporation armored vehicle on October 20, 1981, 22 years ago today. This bill has already passed the other body, and I am pleased the House is taking it up today.

On that dreadful October day in 1981, a gang attacked a Brinks armored car in broad daylight outside a shopping mall in the New York City suburb of Nyack. The two guards, Peter Paige and Joseph Trombino, were both shot, and Paige died from his wounds. The ruthless gang also shot and killed Nyack police officers Edward O'Grady and Waverly Brown, who courageously responded to the robbery.

Mr. Speaker, this senseless, wicked crime ended the lives of these three men who were each carrying out their daily duties 22 years ago today. With the enactment of S. 1591, this post office in Nyack will forever carry the names of these three slain heroes.

Peter Paige dutifully served the Brinks Corporation for 25 years as a security guard prior to the 1981 robbery. He was a gentle, yet diligent man, who was known by his colleagues, friends, and family for his selflessness.

Waverly Brown was a caring and disciplined Nyack police officer who earned a reputation as a no-nonsense law enforcer. In addition, Officer Brown was known for his aptitude in the kitchen, as he regularly prepared meals for his fellow officers at his station.

Edward O'Grady also served with the police force in the Village of Nyack. Prior to his police service, Mr. O'Grady was a Marine who served two tours, two tours, in Vietnam. He also selflessly worked with the Volunteer Fire Department in his hometown of Nyack.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the Senator from New York for helping us all to remember the wonderful lives as well as the sacrifices of Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, and Peter Paige. I also congratulate the Senator for having S. 1591 considered by the House, and I want to recognize the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for introducing an identical piece of legislation, H.R. 3167, in this body. He, certainly, also should be commended for his work to commemorate the lives of these three men.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all Members to support the passage of S. 1591.

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

Mr. Speaker, thanking Members for their cooperation, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

As a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I rise in support of S. 1591, legislation naming a postal facility in Nyack, New York, after Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, and Peter Paige. This measure was introduced by Senator Charles Schumer on September 8, 2003. S. 1591 was unanimously passed by the Senate and unanimously approved by the Committee on Government Reform. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) has an identical bill, H.R. 3167, that has met the committee cosponsorship policy and has the support of the entire New York delegation.

Twenty-two years ago on October 20, 1981, members of a radical group, the Weather Underground, killed two police officers and a Brinks guard in two separate but deadly incidents. On that Wednesday, gunmen held up an armored vehicle just outside the Nanuet National Bank and killed Brinks guard Peter Paige. Minutes later, while on the run, the killers opened fire and mortally wounded two Nyack policemen, Edward O'Grady and Waverly Brown. These men paid the ultimate sacrifice for doing their job and died in the line of duty.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Senator Schumer and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for seeking to honor the memory of these slain individuals by naming a postal facility in their honor. I am indeed pleased to join with the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) in consideration of this measure and urge its swift passage.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), the sponsor of this legislation.

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