To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12433 Antioch Road in Overland Park, Kansas, as the "Ed Eilert Post Office Building".

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry be authorized to conduct a hearing during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 10 a.m. in SR-328A, Russell Senate Office Building. The purpose of this hearing will be to consider the nomination of Dr. Richard A. Raymond to be Under Secretary for food safety at the United States Department of Agriculture.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry be authorized to conduct a hearing during the session of the Senate at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, in SR-328A, Russell Senate Office Building. The purpose of this hearing will be to review the Livestock Manadatory Reporting Act 1999.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorize to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. to hold a business meeting.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, at 10 a.m. to hold a business meeting to consider pending committee business.

Agenda

legislation

S. 662, Postal Accountability Enhancement Act; S. 457, Purchase Card Waste Elimination Act; S. 611, Emergency Medical Services Support Act; S. 37, a bill to extend the special postage stamp for breast cancer research for two years.

post office naming bills

H.R. 1460, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 6200 Rolling Road in Springfield, VA, as the ``Captain Mark Stubenhofer Post Office Building''.

S. 590/H.R. 1236, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 750 4th Street in Sparks, NV, as the ``Mayor Tony Armstrong Memorial Post Office''.

S. 571, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 1915 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, NY, as the ``Congresswoman Shirley A. Chisholm Post Office Building''.

S. 892/H.R. 324, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 321 Montgomery Road in Altamonte Springs, FL, as the ``Arthur Stacey Mastrapa Post Office Building''.

S. 867/H.R. 289, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 8200 South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, CA, as the ``Sergeant First Class John Marshall Post Office Building''.

S. 1207/H.R. 120, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 20777 Rancho California Road in Temecula, CA, as the ``Dalip Singh Saund Post Office Building''.

S. 775, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 123 West 7th Street in Holdenville, OK, as the ``Boone Pickens Post Office''.

S. 1206/H.R. 504, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 4960 West Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA, as the ``Ray Charles Post Office Building''.

H.R. 1001, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 301 South Heatherwilde Boulevard in Pflugerville, TX, as the ``Sergeant Byron W. Norwood Post Office Building.''

HR. 1072, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 151 West End Street in Goliad, TX, as the ``Judge Emilio Vargas Post Office Building.''

S. 904, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 1560 Union Valley Road in West Milford, NJ, as the ``Brian P. Parrello Post Office Building.''

HR. 1542, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 695 Pleasant Street in New Bedford, MA, as the ``Honorable Judge George N. Leighton Post Office Building.''

H.R. 1082, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 120 East Illinois Avenue in Vinita, OK, as the ``Francis C. Goodpaster Post Office Building.''

H.R. 1524, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service at 12433 Antioch Road in Overland Park, KS, as the ``Ed Eilert Post Office Building.''

H.R. 627, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 40 Putnam Avenue in Hamden, CT, as the ``Linda White-Epps Post Office.''

H.R. 2326, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 614 West Old County Road in Belhaven, NC, as the ``Floyd Lupton Post Office.''

Nominations

Linda M. Combs to be Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget.

Linda M. Springer to be Director, Office of Personnel Management.

Laura A. Cordero to be Associate Judge, Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

Noel Anketell Kramer to be Associate Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building to conduct an oversight hearing on the In Re Tribal Lobbying Matters, et al.

Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 22, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. to hold a closed briefing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation designating the United States Postal Service facility located at 12433 Antioch Road in Overland Park, Kansas, as the Ed Eilert Post Office Building. I was joined in sponsoring this legislation by the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt), the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun), and the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran); and I am grateful for their support.

Recently, an era came to an end in Overland Park. Mayor Ed Eilert stepped down as mayor, an office to which he was elected six times and held for a total of 24 years. Since he was sworn into office in 1981, Overland Park has grown to become Kansas' second largest city. Its population has nearly double to over 165,000. The number of people working within the city limits has more than tripled with roughly 120,000 jobs in Overland Park today, and hotel capacity has increased from 800 rooms to 5,100 rooms.

During his tenure, 21,000 single-family and 19,000 multi-family residences have been added in Overland Park, along with 23.7 million square feet of office, retail, and industrial space.

Over the years, the city has seen the arrival of the Sprint campus, three new hospitals, the University of Kansas Edwards campus, the Carlsen Center at Johnson County Community College, and a city convention center.

Additionally, under Ed Eilert 's leadership, the city added the landmark Clock Tower Plaza and the Farmers Market in the downtown area, a neighborhood conservation program, and Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the International Trade Center, the W. Jack Sanders Justice Center, and interchanges at I-435 at both Nall Avenue and Quivira Road.

Mayor Eilert also supported construction of the Fire Training Center which has been used by many other cities and county fire departments in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and he worked with Johnson County Community College to create a training facility for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway employees on the college campus.

And during Mayor Eilert's tenure, the city's land area expanded by 36 percent to nearly 62 square miles. Finally, Overland Park enjoys a top rating for a solid financial condition. It has received numerous awards as an outstanding city. For years, Overland Park has had the lowest property tax rate of any first-class city in Kansas.

Ed Eilert was first elected to Overland Park City Council in 1977 and became council president in 1980. He formerly taught at Shawnee Mission North High School and knows firsthand how Overland Park has benefited from its nationally recognized school systems.

He made his first visit to the city in 1960 because it was the home of Jan Bush, whom he met while studying at Emporia State University and would marry 2 years later. The Eilerts moved to Overland Park in 1965 when he completed graduate school. In 1977, he began his first campaign for political office and has been a public servant since then. He has also been a financial consultant with A.G. Edwards & Sons and serves on the board of directors of Metcalf Bank.

When we consider the array of challenges that Ed Eilert faced in his 24 years as mayor of Overland Park, Members cannot help but agree with Bob Sigmund, the opinion page editor of the Johnson County Sun who recently wrote that ``Ed Eilert provided the vision and leadership in shaping Overland Park's success as an ideal place to live, work and raise a family. Eilert's political skills have been especially useful in easing tensions and maintaining an acceptable balance between the older, established neighborhoods in northern Overland Park and the rapidly expanding new subdivisions in the south.''

I am proud to call Ed Eilert my friend. While we are members of different political parties, I have always been impressed by his sound judgment, diligence, and dedication to his community and to the public welfare. When he sought the Republican nomination for the House in 1996, he lost narrowly to then-State Representative Vince Snowbarger for the nomination to succeed Representative Jan Meyers. I often tell third district residents that I would have not sought election to Congress myself had Ed Eilert been elected 2 years before I became a candidate for the office.

Dedication of this postal service facility in Overland Park is a small, but fitting, tribute to a man who has dedicated most of his adult life to public service at the community level. He has worked tirelessly to bring people together while ensuring quality economic development and competence in the delivery of local services. I commend Mayor Ed Eilert and again thank my colleagues in the Kansas House delegation for their support. I urge my colleagues to approve this legislation today, and I hope the other body will follow suit quickly so we can see it signed into law.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1524. I thank my colleague, Mr. Moore, for sponsoring this legislation to name the post office at 12433 Antioch Road in Overland Park after long-time Mayor Ed Eilert.

The job of mayor is a challenging position. Each day they are tasked with the responsibility of making their community, their home, a better place to live. They do this with the eye of the public always on them as they live and work in that community. The fact that May Eilert was re-elected six times speaks volumes of his dedication and character. During his over 24 years in office, Mayor Eilert worked hard to improve Overland Park, and his leadership is well respected.

Mr. Moore spoke of the infrastructure improvements that Mr. Eilert helped bring to Overland Park--the Clock Tower Plaza, KU's Edwards Campus and the Fire Training Center, to name a few. I want to emphasize that these centers and buildings are much more than physical structures. They are symbols of economic development, job creation and improvements in quality of life. During the time Ed served as Mayor, Overland Park grew to be the second-largest city in Kansas. Ed's vision helped to ensure that the city is both bigger and better for the businesses, individuals and families who are proud to call Overland Park their home.

Mayor Eilert's commitment to Overland Park extended beyond his role as mayor. He was an active member of many civic organizations including the League of Kansas Municipalities and the National League of Cities. He has also served as secretary and treasurer of the Johnson/Wyandotte Counties Council of Mayors. He currently serves as a commissioner of the Kansas and Missouri Metropolitan Cultural District, a board member of Services for Seniors and Advocates for Citizens with Retardation, a member of the advisory council for Emporia State University's school of business and a member of the advisory council for United Community Services and Temporary Lodging for Children.

Mayor Eilert is a charter member of the South Overland Park Rotary Club, the Overland Park Historical Society, the Overland Park Arboretum and Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports. He also is a member and elder, and a former chairman of the board, of Overland Park Christian Church. I commend Ed for his service to the community and his contributions to improving the quality of life in Overland Park.

I recognize that Kansas is home to many leaders who work to make our state a great place to live and work. I also acknowledge that our growth and prosperity is possible because of the efforts of local leaders like Mayor Eilert who are willing to serve our communities. Mayor Eilert touched lives every day. He directly affected the residents of Overland Park in a positive way. I am grateful for his hard work and dedication, and I join with my fellow Kansas representatives in honoring Mayor Eilert.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1524) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12433 Antioch Road in Overland Park, Kansas, as the ``Ed Eilert 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 and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1524 designates this postal facility in Overland Park, Kansas, as the Ed Eilert Post Office Building. The four members of the Kansas State congressional delegation have all endorsed this legislation, and I join them in support of the bill.

After more than a quarter of a century, Ed Eilert stepped down from being a leader in Overland Park government on Monday, April 11. Ed Eilert's public service career began when he was elected to the Overland Park City Council in 1977. In 1981, he was elected to the first of six terms as mayor of Overland Park that spanned 24 years. Overland Park has doubled in population and become Kansas' second largest city under Mayor Eilert's direction. Without question, Ed Eilert is a one-man institution in east central Kansas. This post office on Antioch Road is a natural and deserved commemoration of Mayor Eilert's legacy and distinguished leadership.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Members of the House, I congratulate Mayor Ed Eilert on his tremendous tenure in local government and wish him the very best in retirement. I applaud the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore) for working toward passage of H.R. 1524.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore) for his reflections of his friend, urge passage of the bill; 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 Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join in the consideration of H.R. 1524, legislation designating a postal facility in Overland Park, Kansas, after Mayor Ed Eilert. This measure, which was introduced by the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore) on April 6, 2005, enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire Kansas State delegation.

Ed Eilert was first elected in 1981. As mayor of Overland Park for 24 years, he worked hard to improve the condition of his city. The population has doubled, the number of projects tripled, and the number of hotels has increased dramatically. Business and opportunities have also grown. A convention center is now home to Overland Park, and more hospitals have been added. Overland Park is now Kansas' second largest city.

The growth occurred under the leadership and vision of Mayor Eilert. This week Mayor Eilert steps down from his position, and what a wonderful way to honor the achievements of Ed Eilert. I join my colleagues in honoring Mayor Ed Eilert and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore).

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