Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6237) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1351 2nd Street in Napa, California, as the ``Tom…
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6237) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1351 2nd Street in Napa, California, as the ``Tom Kongsgaard Post Office Building,'' as amended.
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.
On behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present H.R. 6237 for consideration. This legislation will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1351 2nd Street in Napa, California, as the Tom Kongsgaard Post Office Building. Introduced by our colleague Representative Mike Thompson of California on September 28, 2010, H.R. 6237 enjoys the support of the entire California House delegation.
Born on June 3, 1921, in Everett, Washington, a son of Norweigian immigrants, Judge Thomas Kongsgaard began his longstanding commitment to public service by enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Fighting in the war, Judge Kongsgaard was severely injured, leaving him with a replacement leg. He served in the Pacific theater and at the end of the war was stationed at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
Judge Kongsgaard began his judicial career as a Napa Superior Court judge, 9 years after receiving his law degree from Stanford University. He served from 1958 to 1984, missing just 1 day of work in his 26 years. Reflecting on his immigrant roots, he was always especially proud to preside at naturalization ceremonies.
Being an avid student of political history and American culture, Judge Kongsgaard organized the Halls of History project inside the courthouse that recounts Napa County's history in words and photographs.
That courthouse was dubbed ``Kongsgaard Square'' by the Board of Supervisors in 1984. A bronze plaque cemented to a basalt boulder that sits in a rose garden on the south side of the courthouse takes note of the jurist's distinguished career. It reads: ``The Board of Supervisors names this block Kongsgaard Square as a token of esteem for his noble services to the citizens of Napa County.''
After retiring, Judge Kongsgaard continued his judicial career as a visiting judge. In 1991, he was appointed by the California Supreme Court to be one of three special masters who recommended a reapportionment plan for the legislature and California Representatives to Congress after the 1990 census.
Although retired, he worked with Judicial Arbitration Mediation Services until the day before he was hospitalized with complications from treatment of leukemia. Regrettably, Judge Kongsgaard died on June 25, 2001, at
the age of 80. He is survived by his daughters, Mary and Martha; son, John; and seven grandchildren.
Mr. Speaker, let us honor Judge Thomas Kongsgaard for serving both his country and his community through the passage of this bill to designate the 2nd Street post office in Napa in his honor. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6237.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6237, and I yield back the balance of my time.
