To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2650 Cleveland Avenue, NW in Canton, Ohio, as the "Richard D. Watkins Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time.

Richard Watkins has left a great legacy of public service in our community, public service that had many dimensions, as was outlined by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis). I think that he deserves a lot of credit for the great work that he has done in our community, and this would be a fitting tribute to his career.

He is completing 12 years as mayor of what we know as the Hall of Fame city. Canton, Ohio, has the Football Hall of Fame, and in that capacity he accomplished many things that are beneficial to people.

Mr. Watkins has always been sensitive to the type of leadership that cares about people. I think perhaps the best example were his efforts to establish the Canton Community Clinic. This is a free health care facility. It has been in operation since 1994, and it has served over 35,000 people in that time. This is a beacon light of help to many people who otherwise would not have access to health services.

In addition, he developed what is known as Cornerstone Square. This is a social services campus, kind of a ``one-stop'' for people that need help. The Ohio Bureau of Workmens' Compensation is there, the Industrial Commission of Ohio and the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services. So those that need assistance in these areas can go there and find help, and I think his leadership in getting that accomplished was great. And it is so important because it has not only provided these services in a central place, but it also provided a facility in part of the city that needed rehabilitation.

He has worked on a number of things in the revitalization of downtown Canton. Big cities have a challenge these days, and Mayor Watkins has addressed that challenge and provided a worthwhile legacy for those that he represents. The aesthetic appeal of downtown Canton has been immeasurably enhanced by his actions as the mayor, and this would be a fitting tribute to an individual who has served the public well, who has provided a legacy for others to benefit and also has provided leadership that will inspire others to public service.

He was also, as has been mentioned before, a member of the Marine Corps, and I know for some Members that is a very substantial endorsement, and so I would urge the Members to support this legislation and give this fitting honor of naming the Cleveland Ave. Post Office, city of Canton, Ohio, for the retiring mayor of Canton, Ohio, Richard D. Watkins.

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

As a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 3175, legislation naming a postal facility located at 2650 Cleveland Avenue, NW, in Canton, Ohio, after Richard D. Watkins.

H.R. 3175, introduced by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) 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 Ohio delegation.

Mr. Watkins, a lifelong resident of Canton, was born in 1930. He attended local schools and after college served in the United States Marine Corps. After serving his country, he returned to Canton and began an impressive career in public service. Richard Watkins was elected to the Canton City Council for six terms and served two terms as Stark County Commissioner. He was elected mayor in November of 1991 and reelected in 1995 and 1999.

In addition to public service, Richard Watkins was dedicated to a host of community service projects. He worked with the Boy Scouts, serving on their advisory board. He was a member of the National League of Cities, Urban Policy Committee, president of the Belle Stone Elementary School PTA and formed the Canton Community Clinic, a free health care facility which provides medical and dental care to thousands of people in need.

Mr. Watkins has also been very involved in local transportation and infrastructure projects and economic development.

I commend my colleagues for seeking to honor the accomplishments of Richard D. Watkins by naming a postal facility in his hometown of Canton, Ohio, and I urge swift passage of H.R. 3175.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3175) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2650 Cleveland Avenue, NW in Canton, Ohio, as the ``Richard D. Watkins 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, on behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased that the House is considering H.R. 3175. This legislation, sponsored by my distinguished colleague from the State of Ohio (Mr. Regula), names this post office in Canton, Ohio, as the Richard D. Watkins Post Office Building. The entire delegation from the State of Ohio has cosponsored the bill.

Mr. Speaker, Mayor Richard Watkins is a devoted public official who is retiring next month after 12 years as the chief executive of Canton, Ohio. His contributions to the people of east central Ohio are immeasurable, and this post office would be a deserved tribute to Mayor Watkins' service.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Ohio for introducing this legislation, and I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3175.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), the sponsor of H.R. 3175.

(Mr. REGULA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I commend the gentleman from Ohio for working on such a meaningful piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Governmental Affairs Committee be discharged from further consideration of the following post office-naming bills, and the Senate proceed to their immediate consideration, en bloc: H.R. 2744, H.R. 3379, H.R. 3175.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bills be read the third time and passed, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, and that any statements relating to the bills be printed in the Record.