To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the "Wayne Grisham Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2158) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the ``Wayne Grisham Post Office''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 2158, introduced by my colleague and friend, the gentlelady from California, Ms. Linda Sanchez, would designate the facility of the United States Post Office located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the ``Wayne Grisham Post Office.''

This bill enjoys bipartisan support. In fact, every Member of the California delegation supports it, all 53.

Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that Wayne Grisham, a man who dedicated his life to public service, be recognized. Born in 1923, Mr. Grisham served as a fighter pilot in World War II and was shot down over Germany, earning a Purple Heart.

After a successful career in real estate, Mr. Grisham was elected to the La Mirada City Council, where he served for 8 years. In 1978, he was elected to serve as a Member of this body, representing California's 33rd Congressional District. He served for two terms.

In 1983, he was appointed by then President Reagan to serve as the director of the Peace Corps in Kenya. After his service in Kenya, Mr. Grisham was elected to the California State Assembly in 1984, where he served until 1998.

Sadly, Mr. Speaker, on January of this year, Mr. Grisham died at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, his son, daughter, and five grandchildren.

After his death, he was described by the distinguished chairman of the Rules Committee, Mr. Dreier--who Mr. Grisham lost to in a 1982 reelection bid--as being the model of civility and a true gentleman. Mr. Speaker, we don't hear that very much in this body. I'll repeat it; as the model of civility and a true gentleman.

I urge Members to join me in supporting this legislation in honoring a true public servant.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor to yield such time as he may consume to a friend and colleague who would like to speak on Mr. Grisham's behalf, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2158, a bill which would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada as the Wayne Grisham Post Office.

We could not be honoring a more deserving member of the Southern California community. Wayne Grisham dedicated his life to our country and to southern California. He valiantly served as a fighter pilot during World War II and was held as a prisoner of war when his plane was shot down over Germany. Mr. Grisham was awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal for his courageous service.

After the war, Wayne returned home to Whittier College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics and went on to teach elementary school in Long Beach. Eventually, an entrepreneurial spirit led Mr. Grisham to open his own realty business in La Mirada, which he maintained for much of his life.

A self-described ``conservative do-gooder,'' his dedication to our local community was truly remarkable. Mr. Grisham proudly served the city of La Mirada for over two decades, beginning in 1970 when he was elected to the city council. He later went on to be the mayor of that city.

Wayne once said, ``I think of myself as an average guy, and I think it was the average guy who elected me.'' It was that connection with the community that guided Wayne throughout his career.

Mr. Grisham continued his service to the community with his election to Congress in 1978 and the California State Assembly in 1984. He also lent his talents to the Peace Corps, serving as director in Kenya.

More important than his dedication to our local community was Wayne's life as a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He married his high school sweetheart, Millie Watt, in 1944 and had three beautiful children--Cathy, Randy, and Kellie. Wayne was also blessed with seven grandchildren.

Wayne's daughter Kellie recently remembered her father this way: ``He was always smiling and always had a kind word. He loved when he could help people. He took great pride in the work he

did for the city of La Mirada, the State of California, and the United States of America. He was a genuinely sincere person with great integrity. He believed in treating everyone with respect.''

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the service and memory of this dedicated civic leader.

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

I join with my colleague from the other side of the aisle and rise in support of H.R. 2158, which would rename the U.S. postal facility at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the ``Wayne Grisham Post Office.''

This bill was first introduced by my colleague and friend, Representative Linda Sanchez of California. The bill is widely supported by the members of the California delegation and has been properly vetted and approved by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

At this time I would like to yield such time as she may consume to my good friend and colleague, Ms. Sanchez.

Mr. Speaker, having no additional speakers, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2158, which renames the La Miranda, California, post office after Mr. Wayne Grisham, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I want to first say I very much appreciate my colleagues' recognizing the service of our dear friend Wayne Grisham.

In my early days in the Congress, Arlene and I spent a good deal of time with Wayne and Millie. We traveled together and talked often of other trips we could take with one another. Our favorite place in the West, for example, is Catalina Island, and we had planned to spend at least one weekend--if not many--there together. It is with great regret that I rise today in recognition of his passing in January.

Mr. Speaker, I arise to honor the life of my friend and colleague Wayne Grisham. During our early years in Congress, Wayne and his wife Millie became our dear friends. We traveled together and often talked of a weekend at our mutual favorite place in the west--Catalina Island. We miss them both in our lives.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, December 12, 2011, I was unable to attend votes due to a previously scheduled appointment. Monday evening I held a listening event with concerned citizens in the town of Savoy. I could not, in good conscience, cancel on a group that had been on my schedule for several months.

Had I been present, my votes would have been as follows:

For H.R. 3320 and H.R. 2158, I would have voted ``yea,'' Master Sergeant Daniel L. Fedder honorably served the United States and I am proud he can be remembered through the naming of this post office. Wayne Grisham was a steadfast public servant who shares my passion for civility in politics.

For Approval of the Journal, I would have voted ``yea.''

Democrat Motion to Adjourn, I would have voted ``nay.''