To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 215 West Industrial Park Road in Harrison, Arkansas, as the "John Paul Hammerschmidt Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I also would echo the fact that Congressman Davis is an Arkansan; and we are very, very proud of him and all that he has accomplished.

I rise today in support of H.R. 4811, the John Paul Hammerschmidt Post Office Designation Act. No one understands my congressional district like the kind and thoughtful gentleman who represented much of Arkansas in the Congress from 1967 through 1993. I consider John Paul Hammerschmidt a mentor and a friend.

During his 26 years in Congress, John Paul became known for his strong work ethic and attention to individual constituent service. His fellow Members came to rely on his legislative expertise in highways, aviation and waterway infrastructure. In fact, Congressman Hammerschmidt served as ranking member of the Public Works, now known as the Transportation and Infrastructure, Committee from 1986 through 1993.

During his tenure in office, Arkansas completed many of the infrastructure improvements, including highways and airports, that have allowed northwest Arkansas to become one of the major financial engines of our Nation.

Congressman Hammerschmidt is also remembered for his work on behalf of our Nation's veterans. Particularly in Arkansas, our veterans hospitals and facilities still benefit from Congressman Hammerschmidt's service.

Congressman Hammerschmidt served as ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee from 1975 through 1986, and all of our Nation's veterans had a tremendous advocate in this good man.

As a combat pilot in World War II, Congressman Hammerschmidt flew 217 missions with the Third Combat Cargo Group over ``the Hump'' in the China-Burma-India theatre.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, three Battle Stars, the China War Memorial Medal by the Republic of China, and the Meritorious Service

Award. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a major. Furthermore, he has been awarded the highest honors by eight national veterans service organizations.

Since retiring, Congressman Hammerschmidt has been named Arkansas Citizen of the Year; and he has remained incredibly active in the fields of business, education, aviation, community service, and his local church.

Many of Congressman Hammerschmidt's close friends continue to serve in Congress today, and several will be submitting statements that were unable to be here today.

Finally, I want to take a moment to honor Ginny Hammerschmidt, who served the people of Arkansas alongside John Paul during his many years of service. We lost Ginny last year, but this bill, in recognizing the service of Congressman Hammerschmidt, also recognizes the sacrifices and service of Ginny and the rest of the family.

Mr. Speaker, I want to express my strong support for this bill to name a post office in Harrison, Arkansas, in honor of the Honorable John Paul Hammerschmidt, and I am pleased to be an original cosponsor.

I had the distinct honor and privilege of serving for many years with John Paul on what was then known as the Public Works and Transportation Committee--now known as the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He completed his 26 years of service in the House as the ranking minority member of the Committee--and he provided steady leadership as we worked together to build the roads, airports and waterways needed to keep America competitive and prosperous.

He was the ranking member during the legendary ISTEA transportation bill in 1991, which moved us beyond the Interstate construction era and provided a new vision for transportation in the U.S. For many years he was ranking on the Aviation Subcommittee and has always had a keen interest in aviation issues. In 1998, after his retirement from the House, President Clinton nominated him to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. John Paul led many Committee trips to his district in Northwest Arkansas--and that usually entailed having your photo taken sporting the famous Arkansas Razorback hog hat.

While many of us are familiar with his Congressional career, some may not know of his heroic service to our country during World War II. A member of the Third Combat Cargo Group in the China-Burma-India theater from 1942 to 1945, John Paul flew 217 combat missions--primarily in Burma and China. These missions included drop missions where he dropped supplies to our troops in the jungle, all in an unarmed plane flying low over the jungle in some of the worst weather conditions imaginable while frequently coming under enemy fire. He also ``flew the hump'' as it was called, dangerous missions high over the Himalayas.

Giving constant support to John Paul was his beloved wife Virginia, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Known to all as Ginny, she was recognized for her compassionate and gentle nature. Together Ginny and John Paul served their district well.

Through John Paul's decades of service to our country, first in the Army Air Corps in World War II, here in the House of Representatives, and even today as he remains active in his community, he is thoroughly deserving of this honor. He served this House with distinction and worked effectively with Members of both parties to move important initiatives forward. He is a true gentleman, and I am proud to call him a friend.

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 my colleague in consideration of H.R. 4811, legislation naming a postal facility in Harrison, Arkansas, after John Paul Hammerschmidt. This measure was sponsored by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) on February 28, 2006, and unanimously reported by our committee on March 30, 2006. The bill has the support and cosponsorship of the entire Arkansas delegation and 112 Members of Congress.

A native of Arkansas, John Hammerschmidt was born in Harrison in 1922.

He graduated from Harrison High School and attended the Citadel, University of Arkansas and Oklahoma State University. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945, the U.S. Air Force Reserves from 1945 to 1960, and the District of Columbia Army Reserves from 1970 to 1981.

After holding senior positions in the lumber and construction industry, John was elected to represent the 3rd Congressional District of Arkansas. He was subsequently elected to 13 terms, serving in Congress from 1967 until 1993.

Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of H.R. 4811, which seeks to honor the broad legacy of former Representative Hammerschmidt.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he might consume to the distinguished gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder).

Mr. Speaker, I rise to actually close, and I have no further requests for time.

But, in closing, let me just say, first of all, that I appreciate the kind comments and remarks made by my colleagues from Arkansas. As you can see, there is a tremendous amount of affinity for those of us who grew up in the land of opportunity.

But, also, I note that Representative Boozman's wife came from the town where my family lived, and her uncle was actually the postmaster, and my father used to visit in the post office, along with many other people, and that was kind of like a neighborhood gathering place. That is one of the reasons that we hope that many of the small post offices will be able to remain intact, because they are more than just letter- dispensing areas in many of these communities.

So I commend Representative Boozman for seeking to honor this outstanding American.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to be here to participate in this naming of the United States Post Office after John Hammerschmidt. It is a life that certainly is representative of a true American patriot and servant of the people.

He was a member of the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, a member of the Air Force Reserves, a member of the District of Columbia Army Reserves, the first Republican Member to represent Arkansas since reconstruction, also a member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airport. These are just a few of the roles in which Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt has served; and, as I said, it truly is a life of service to his country.

First elected to the House of Representatives in 1966, John Paul Hammerschmidt was noted for his dedication and attention to constituent services. A native son of Harrison, Arkansas, Congressman Hammerschmidt went on to represent the region for 13 consecutive terms. In all of those elections, only two of Congressman Hammerschmidt's opponents were able to achieve more than one-third of the vote, and that included one candidate by the name of Bill Clinton.

During his tenure in the House, Congressman Hammerschmidt was known for his expertise regarding infrastructure and veterans-related issues. As the ranking member of the Public Works Committee from 1986 to 1993, John was influential in many of the improvements that have taken place on our Nation's highways, airports and waterway systems. John was a true steward of our Nation's infrastructure; and users of roads, water systems and the airways will all long benefit from his efforts.

Mr. Speaker, my father, Bud Shuster, had the pleasure of serving with Congressman Hammerschmidt both in the House and on the Public Works Committee for many years. I asked him to relate a few stories, reflections on John Paul Hammerschmidt, and he said he certainly was one of the experts on infrastructure in this country. And then he said quite simply, ``He is a gentleman's gentleman;'' and I think that is a very accurate assessment of Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the measure offered by my colleague, Mr. Boozman, to name the post office in Harrison, Arkansas, after Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4811) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 215 West Industrial Park Road in Harrison, Arkansas, as the ``John Paul Hammerschmidt 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. 4811, offered by the distinguished gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman), would designate the post office building in Harrison, Arkansas, as the John Paul Hammerschmidt Post Office Building.

Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt represented the Third District of Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 90th Congress through the 102nd Congress. He was elected to 13 terms and served 26 years during the administrations of six Presidents. During his years in Congress,

John Paul Hammerschmidt became known for his attention to individual constituent service and communication, his high voting and attendance record during congressional sessions during the business week, and routinely working weekends in Arkansas. Also, his legislative expertise in highways, airports, water supply and distribution systems, as well as veterans hospitals, will continue to benefit from his diligent stewardship long into the future.

Since retiring from Congress, Hammerschmidt has continued to participate in Arkansas civil involvements as a private citizen, chairing the Northwest Arkansas Council and March of Dimes Arkansas Citizen of the Year Dinner. Because of his dedication to government at all levels, I ask all Members to honor his integrity and perseverance by passing H.R. 4811.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of Arkansas (Mr. Boozman).

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers at this point. I reserve the balance of my time.

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