A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1271 North King Street in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, as the "Hiram L. Fong Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of S. 2089, legislation which provides permanent recognition--the naming of the prominent Kapalama post office in Honolulu, Hawaii--of the late, great U.S. Senator Hiram L. Fong of Hawaii, whose long life--he died in August 2004 at the age of 97--was dedicated to reshaping, for the betterment of all, the social and political landscape of twentieth- century Hawaii.

S. 2089, introduced by Senator Daniel Akaka, and cosponsored by Senator Daniel Inouye, passed the Senate on March 3. I was pleased to cointroduce its companion, H.R. 4509, with Congressman Neil Abercrombie on December 13, 2005.

Born into poverty in Honolulu in October 1907, Hiram L. Fong was the seventh of 11 children of Chinese-immigrant parents. His father, Fong Sau Howe, originally from China's Kwangtung Province, arrived in Hawaii in 1872, one of 45,000 Chinese immigrants who came to Hawaii to work on the plantations of the islands' once dominant sugar industry. His mother, Fong Lum Shee, arrived in Hawaii when she was 10 years old to work as a maid.

By all accounts, Hiram Fong was enterprising, even as a child. He shined shoes, delivered poi, sold newspapers, led visitors to local tourist spots as well as caddied nine holes of golf for 25 cents.

He attended Hawaii's public schools and was a member of McKinley High School's famous class of 1924, whose 216 members, many of them first- generation immigrants, became some of Hawaii's most distinguished lawyers, business executives, and public servants. Hiram Fong himself became the first resident of Hawaii to receive the Horatio Alger Award for overcoming poverty to achieve great success in law, business, and public service.

As a student at the University of Hawaii, Fong found time to edit the student paper and the yearbook, become a member of the volleyball, rifle and debate teams, and serve as president of the YMCA and Chinese Students Alliance, all the while working at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as a supply clerk. He somehow managed to graduate from the University of Hawaii with honors in 1930 after just 3 years.

After working at what was then the Suburban Water System of Oahu from 1930 to 1932, Hiram Fong attended Harvard Law School. Upon graduation in 1935, he returned to Honolulu to work as a deputy city attorney.

In 1938, when he was 31, he founded the law firm of Fong, Miho, Choy and Robinson, and entered and won a race for a seat in the Territorial House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, he forged a coalition of independent Republicans and Democrats to win election as speaker of the Territorial House, where he would serve a total of 14 years, including three terms as speaker.

Hiram Fong's political career was interrupted by World War II, when he was called to active duty with the Army Air Corps. He served as judge advocate with the 7th Fighter Command of the Seventh Air Force. He later retired as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

As a member of the Hawaii Territorial House, Fong supported legislation designed to help organized labor and working families. In 1945, he supported what became known as the ``Little Wagner Act,'' which allowed agriculture workers to unionize. It was Hiram Fong's understanding of and identification with Hawaii's laborers and plantation workers and fellow immigrant families that enabled him, a Republican in an increasingly Democratic Party-dominated Hawaii, to continue winning elections.

His one electoral defeat, which ended the first phase of his political career, came in 1954, when he lost his race for re-election to the Territorial House seat by a mere 31 votes.

Hiram Fong then focused on real estate, insurance, and investments, and established a number of successful island firms: Finance Factors, Finance Realty, Finance Home Builders, and Finance Investment, to name a few.

In the Statehood year of 1959, Fong embarked on the second phase of his political career by running for and winning one of the two new United States Senate seats created for the newly established State of Hawaii. He won re-election in 1964 and 1970, and served with honor and distinction, beloved by all in his native Hawaii and beyond, until his retirement on January 2, 1977. At his retirement, Senator Fong was the ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on the Post Office and Civil Service.

But even then, Senator Fong, as he was universally known thereafter with great affection, returned home to his various business enterprises and to the devotion of his expanded family. Well into his nineties, he was a remarkable sight as he strode through downtown Honolulu on his way to and from work, excited by what the day brought and eager to continue his long string of accomplishments. At his death, his body lay in state in Hawaii's State Capitol as whole generations of citizens paid tribute to a remarkable man who led a remarkable life.

It is both fitting and appropriate that we provide this modest memorial, as he would have wished, in order to remember the essence of public service and a life well lived by Hawaii's quintessential native son, Hiram L. Fong.

I would like to thank our House Leadership, Congressman Tom Davis, chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, and Congressman Henry Waxman, the committee's ranking member, for their assistance in moving this bill expeditiously to the House floor. I also appreciate the support of my colleagues on this measure.

I am certain that Senator Fong's family and friends, and all of Hawaii, are appreciative of all of your support. Mahalo.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Thursday, December 15, 2005, at 10 a.m. on pending committee business.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Thursday, December 15, 2005, at 10 a.m., for a hearing titled, ``Hurricane Katrina: Who's In Charge of the New Orleans Levees?''.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affaris be authorized to hold an off-the-floor markup during the session on Thursday, December 15, 2005, to consider the nominations of George W. Foresman to be Under Secretary for Preparedness, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Mary M. Rose to be Member, Merit Systems Protection Board.

Agenda

Nominations

(1) George W. Foresman to be Under Secretary for Preparedness, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

(2) Mary M. Rose to be Member, Merit Systems Protection Board.

Post Office Naming Bills

(1) S. 1445, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 520 Colorado Avenue in Arriba, CO, as the ``William H. Emery Post Office.''

(2) S. 1792/H.R. 3770, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 205 West Washington Street in Knox, IN, as the ``Grant W. Green Post Office Building.''

(3) S. 1820, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 6110 East 51st Place in Tulsa, OK, as the ``Dewey F. Bartlett Post Office.''

(4) S. 2036, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 320 High Street in Clinton, MA, as the ``Raymond J. Salmon Post Office.''

(5) S. 2064, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 122 South Bill Street in Francesville, IN, as the ``Malcolm Melville `Mac' Lawrence Post Office.''

(6) S. 2089, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 1271 North King Street in Honolulu, Oahu, HA, as the ``Hiram L. Fong Post Office Building.''

(7) H.R. 2113, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 2000 McDonough Street in Joliet, IL, as the ``John F. Whiteside Joliet Post Office Building.''

(8) H.R. 2346, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 105 NW Railroad Avenue in Hammond, LA, as the ``John J. Hainkel, Jr. Post Office Building.''

(9) H.R. 2413, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 1202 1st Street in Humble, TX, as the ``Lillian McKay Post Office Building.''

(10) H.R. 2630, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 1927 Sangamon Avenue in Springfield, IL, as the ``J.M. Dietrich Northeast Annex.''

(11) H.R. 2894, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 102 South Walters Avenue in Hodgenville, KY, as the ``Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Post Office Building.''

(12) H.R. 3256, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 3038 West Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh, PA, as the ``Congressman James Grove Fulton Memorial Post Office Building.''

(13) H.R. 3368, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 6483 Lincoln Street in Gagetown, MI, as the ``Gagetown Veterans Memorial Post Office.''

(14) H.R. 3439, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 201 North 3rd Street in Smithfield, NC, as the ``Ava Gardner Post Office.''

(15) H.R. 3548, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located on Franklin Avenue in Pearl River, NY, as the ``Heinz Ahlmeyer, Jr. Post Office Building.''

(16) H.R. 3703, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 8501 Philatelic Drive in Spring Hill, FL, as the ``Staff Sergeant Michael Schafer Post Office.''

(17) H.R. 3825, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 770 Trumbull Drive in Pittsburgh, PA, the ``Clayton J. Smith Memorial Post Office.''

(18) H.R. 3830, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 130 East Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda, FL, as the ``U.S. Cleveland Post Office Building.''

(19) H.R. 4053, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 545 North Rimsdale Avenue in Covina, CA, as the ``Lillian Kinkella Keil Post Office.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent at the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 15, 2005, at 2:30 p.m., to hold a closed meeting.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to amplify my formal statement with a few personal observations. The chairman has kindly indicated some of the history of Senator Fong. It is interesting when I look down and see the word Hiram L. Fong, because he is so much of the history of Hawaii, we all think of him as Senator Fong.

As has been noted, he was the seventh of 11 children of an immigrant family. If there was ever a story of Hawaii, of our rainbow people and our aloha spirit, it is Hiram Fong. He worked a lot of jobs and worked his way through school and did very, very well. He founded not only a prominent law firm but founded as well what became a financial empire.

I have some real interest in it because the very first campaign that I ever ran was funded by Senator Fong's Finance Factors. I went down to get a loan. I thought if I was going to run against him, I thought the least I could do, in the spirit of bipartisanship, was to ask him to help fund my campaign. As a graduate student at the University of Hawaii, I went down to borrow $50. They said we cannot lend you $50, we have to lend you $200 if we are going to make any money on this. So I said, I will take it. I was able to run my very first campaign on Hiram Fong's dime, although I should say nickel, because that is what I passed out in the streets of Honolulu to represent the inflation that I thought we were going to have to deal with in those days. That was an innocent time.

Senator Fong was always gracious. Senator Fong was always able to reach out. As has been noted, he was elected

as a Republican in a very Democratic State. He was supported in great measure and elected in great measure with the support of labor in Hawaii. Most particularly, the ILWU, the International Longshoremen Workers Union, testifying in favor of the establishment of a commission in 2005, after he passed away, to honor and recognize him as a political, business and community leader testified, ``The Senator was a successful businessman and a Republican who never forgot his humble beginnings. He was a strong supporter of civil rights and often crossed the aisle to cooperate on issues important to Hawaii's unions and workers.''

Senator Hiram Fong came to the United States Senate with the arrival of Hawaii as the last State of the Union. Probably nothing could be more fitting than to recognize him today through this legislation and the pioneer effort that he made. Yes, the last State to enter the Union had as its first Senator the son of an immigrant family who came from China looking for opportunity, looking for justice, and found it in the person of their son, and a true son of Hawaii, Hiram Fong.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2089, a bill to designate a post office in Honolulu, Hawaii, after Senator Hiram L. Fong. This is a fitting tribute for a man who was a great statesman, businessman and community leader.

Senator Fong was born on October 15, 1906, in Kalihi. He was the seventh of 11 children in an immigrant family. A firm believer of standing on his own feet, he worked numerous odd jobs while in public school in order to help support his family. He worked his way through the University of Hawaii where he graduated with honors in 1930. He went on to Harvard Law School and became the state and county Deputy Attorney General of Honolulu for three years.

At the age of 31, Senator Fong began his public service career by serving in Hawaii's Territorial House of Representatives. His ability to work well with both Democrats and Republicans was quickly identified and he was elected Speaker of the House during his first term in office. In 1959, he was elected to the first of three consecutive terms in the U.S. Senate.

Senator Fong never forgot his humble beginnings and was an ardent supporter of labor rights. Despite being a Republican, Senator Fong enjoyed widespread support from the labor unions, particularly the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) which endorsed Senator Fong's candidacy to Congress and campaigned for his reelection.

Senator Fong played an integral role in Hawaii becoming the 50th state and worked on many landmark laws such as the authorization of the Interstate Highway System and the establishment of the East-West Center.

Senator Fong's work and leadership will impact generations to come and it is with great honor that I rise to support S. 2089 in recognition of his leadership and service to this country. I ask my colleagues to support this measure and appreciate the House's attention to the life and work of this great man.

Mr. President, on August 18, 2006, I will have the honor and privilege to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the admission of Hawaii to the United States by dedicating the building housing the Kapalama Post Office in honor of the late U.S. Senator Hiram L. Fong. It is fitting that on Admissions Day, the State of Hawaii commemorates the life of one of its strongest advocates for statehood--Senator Fong--by dedicating the postal facility at 1271 North King Street in Honolulu, which stands near Senator Fong's boyhood home in Kalihi.

Like so many of us with immigrant parents, Senator Fong will be remembered not only for his many accomplishments but also for his humble beginnings. As one of 11 children born to parents from China, he graduated with honors from the University of Hawaii in 1930, and continued his education at Harvard University where he received a law degree 5 years later. In 1959, when Hawaii achieved statehood, he was elected to fill one of two seats in the U.S. Senate where he served from 1959 until January 2, 1977.

Senator Fong was this Nation's first U.S. Senator of Asian ancestry. He

served as the ranking Republican on what was then the Senate Post Office and Civil Service Committee, which is why I am so glad we are marking his life's work by dedicating this post office in his memory. I knew Hiram Fong, and I found him to be a man of great integrity. He was a compassionate advocate for civil rights and workers' rights, and throughout his 20 years of service in Congress, Senator Fong personified the spirit of bipartisan cooperation. He was instrumental in enacting landmark civil rights legislation; reforming U.S. immigration laws to end discrimination against Asian immigrants; improving job training programs for workers; and fighting for equal pay for women. The people of Hawaii were truly fortunate to have been represented by Hiram Fong.

This son of Hawaii passed away on August 18, 2004, at the age of 97, followed by his wife Ellyn on March 25 of this year. Hiram and Ellyn are survived by 4 children, Hiram, Jr., Rodney, Marvin, and Mari-Ellen; 10 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. As we remember our good friend, Hiram Fong, on this Admissions Day, I ask my Senate colleagues and the people of Hawaii to pause for a moment to remember all he did on behalf of the Nation and his beloved Aloha State.

Mr. President, as the former chairman of the Senate Postal Subcommittee, I was proud to introduce the legislation designating the Kapalama Post Office in memory of my friend, Senator Hiram Fong. The Senate passed my bill, S. 2089, by unanimous consent on March 3 of this year; the House of Representatives took action on March 7; and on March 20, the President signed the bill, which is now Public Law 109-203.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie), the author of this legislation.

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 with my colleagues in consideration of S. 2089, legislation naming the postal facility in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, after Hiram L. Fong. This measure, sponsored by Senator Daniel Akaka and cosponsored by Senator Daniel Inouye, was unanimously passed by the Senate on March 3, 2006. An identical measure, H.R. 4509, sponsored by Mr. Abercrombie, was unanimously reported by our committee on February 1, 2006.

Hiram L. Fong, a native of Hawaii, was a noted and well-known member of Hawaii politics. Mr. Fong was a graduate of the University of Hawaii and Harvard Law School before practicing law in Honolulu. He later served as deputy attorney for the city and county of Honolulu, and during World War II, Mr. Fong served as a major and judge advocate of the 7th Fighter Command of the 7th Air Force from 1942 to 1945.

He began his political career in 1938 as a member of the Territorial legislature, serving 4 years as Vice Speaker and 6 years as Speaker and Vice President of the Territorial Constitutional Convention in 1950. In 1959, Mr. Fong was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate. Upon the admission of Hawaii as a State, he was reelected in 1964 and again in 1970.

Senator Fong did not seek reelection in 1976. Instead, he returned to private enterprise, serving as chairman of Finance Enterprises, Limited. Sadly, he passed away on August 18, 2004.

Mr. Speaker, as Senator Akaka, my good friend and colleague observed last week upon the Senate passage of S. 2089, ``Senator Hiram Fong was a man of great integrity and a compassionate advocate for civil rights and workers' rights. It is fitting that a United States Post Office near his home in Kalihi be named in his honor. During his 20 years of service in the United States Senate, Senator Fong personified a spirit of bipartisan cooperation. He was instrumental in enacting landmark civil rights legislation in the 1960s; reforming U.S. immigration laws to end discrimination against Asian immigrants; improving job training programs for workers; and fighting for equal pay for women. The people of Hawaii were truly fortunate to have been represented by Hiram Fong.''

I commend my colleagues for seeking to honor the political legacy of Senator Hiram Leong Fong and urge swift passage of this legislation.