To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 18 Main Street in Howland, Maine, as the "Clyde Hichborn Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2174) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 18 Main Street in Howland, Maine, as the ``Clyde Hichborn Post Office''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present H.R. 2174 for consideration.

This measure will designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 18 Main Street in Howland, Maine, as the ``Clyde Hichborn Post Office''.

Introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Michael Michaud of Maine, on April 29, 2009, and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on May 6, 2009, by unanimous consent, H.R. 2174 enjoys the support of the entire Maine House delegation.

Born on August 29, 1920, Clyde Hichborn dedicated over 60 years of his life to public service. A distinguished veteran of the United States Army, Mr. Hichborn served during World War II, including a 2- year tour in the European theater as captain in the Adjutant General Corps.

Additionally, after receiving his bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in school administration, Mr. Hichborn served his local community in the town of Howland as a long-time superintendent of schools. Notably, the Hichborn Middle School in Howland was named in his honor for his admirable service in the field of education.

Mr. Hichborn's dedication to his local community also included service as a town selectman, a town manager, and subsequently, a State legislator. Specifically, Mr. Hichborn's tenure in the Maine State Legislature included eight terms in the Maine House of Representatives, one term in the Maine State Senate, and service on the joint standing committees on education, transportation, appropriations, economic development, and State and local government.

Mr. Hichborn's legislative efforts in the Maine State House reflected his prior experience as an educator and town official. Mr. Hichborn focused his attention on school funding and improvements as well as enhancing the local business environment.

In addition to his distinguished career in public service, Mr. Hichborn is also fondly remembered for his love of adventure and his willingness to confront any challenge. In 1980, Mr. Hichborn embarked on a 7-hour climb to the top of Mt. Katahdin, the highest peak in the State of Maine, on his 80th birthday.

Regrettably, Mr. Hichborn passed away on March 31, 2005, at the age of 94.

Mr. Speaker, let us honor this outstanding public servant through the passage of this bill, which designates the Howland Post Office in honor of Clyde Hichborn. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting

Mr. Speaker, at this point, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the lead sponsor of this bill, Mr. Mike Michaud of Maine who is also, as we have seen earlier today, a very powerful and able member of our Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I again urge my colleagues to join with me, Mr. Chaffetz, and the lead sponsor of this resolution, Mr. Michaud of Maine, in honoring Clyde Hichborn through the passage of

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

I just simply want to rise in support of H.R. 2174, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 18 Main Street in Howland, Maine, as the ``Clyde Hichborn Post Office''. He's a great American and a great public servant.

I rise in support of H.R. 2174, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 18 Main Street in Howland, Maine, as the `Clyde Hichborn Post Office'.

A life long resident of Medford, Maine, Clyde Hichborn served his state and country

throughout his life. Mr. Hichborn received a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Maine Farmington in 1933 and a master's degree in school administration.

In 1942, he joined the army as a private and served in World War II. He rose to the rank of Captain in the Adjutant General's Corps when he left the Army in 1946.

After returning from war, he taught for many years, was principal and ultimately went on to serve as Superintendent of Schools. In recognition of their service to the community, the Howland Middle School was named for Clyde and and his wife, Winona Hichborn in 1971.

In addition to serving more than 60 years as an educator, Mr. Hichborn continued to serve his community in a number of ways including as a town selectman, town manager and state legislator. He served a total of 18 years in the Maine state legislature, serving in both the House and Senate. When he retired at the age of 86, he was the oldest member of the house and one of its longest-serving veterans. Mr. Hichborn was also an avid hiker, climbing Mount Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine, several times.

Most notable though was the seven-hour trek up the 5,267 foot mountain on his 80th birthday. ``I just wanted something to do,'' he said. ``I didn't want to sit in a rocking chair all summer.'' Mr. Hichborn's accomplishment even won him accolades from the director of Baxter State Park, where Mount Katahdin, is located, noting that ``there is no easy trail up Katahdin.''

Sadly, Mr. Hichborn's life ended on March 31, 2005 at the age of 94. He was best described after his death by the Governor of Maine, John Baldacci, ``Clyde was an extraordinarily caring and gentle man. He was a tireless advocate for the people and the region he served for so many years.''

In recognition of Mr. Hichborn's contributions to the country and the state of Maine, let us recognize his many years of public service by naming the post office in Howland, Maine as the ``Clyde Hichborn Post Office.''

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, Clyde Hichborn was a great American and great public servant. I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of our time.

I want to thank my distinguished colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) for allowing me to say a few words today.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 2174 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 18 Main Street in Howland as the ``Clyde Hichborn Post Office.''

As a veteran, an educator, a public servant, Clyde Hichborn lived a life fiercely dedicated to his community, his State, and his country. He worked in the field of education for 35 years interrupted only by his service in World War II. The Hichborn Middle School in Howland was named after him and his wife.

Clyde served 8 years in the Maine State House and one term in the State senate. His legacy for those years can be summed up for the kind of elected official he saw himself as. I would like to quote one of his statements: ``I am not a politician,'' he said. ``I am constituent- oriented and issue-oriented. My constituents don't care what party I am from.''

I believe such a statement is the standard that we all should aspire to.

Clyde was a very dedicated individual. He cared about his constituents; he cared about his country. No matter where you go throughout the State of Maine, whether Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green Party, when people talk about Clyde Hichborn, they have nothing but kind things to say about him. And in the Howland region no matter where you went, what restaurant, what store, you always would run into someone who had Clyde as a teacher in high school. They have nothing but kindness to say. He was a very dedicated individual.

I am very glad to see that the House is taking appropriate steps to honor such an extraordinary man. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.