To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6937 Village Parkway in Dublin, California, as the "James 'Jim' Kohnen Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1671, which would designate the U.S. postal facility located at 6937 Village Parkway in Dublin, California, as the James ``Jim'' Kohnen Post Office. I thank the Chair and the ranking member for bringing this to the floor today.

On May 29, 2012, the city of Dublin, California, and the entire Tri- Valley community lost a lifetime public servant in Dr. Jim Kohnen. Naming this postal facility after Dr. Kohnen would be a fitting tribute to a distinguished community member and Dublin's modern-day renaissance man.

Dr. Kohnen retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a colonel after 30 years of service in the Corps of Engineers. During his service, he graduated from the U.S. Army War College, the Air War College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Through his work and in the community, Jim emphasized the importance of lifetime learning.

His journey started with one of his earliest achievements, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Jim never stopped learning, earning multiple degrees, including two bachelor degrees, two master's degrees, and a doctorate in education. A constant advocate for education and its importance, Dr. Kohnen completed his career by serving as a high school teacher at San Leandro High School, where he taught political science, management, and general science.

Jim Kohnen also never stopped serving. Using his education and experience, Dr. Kohnen served in just about every local community organization possible by volunteering with a variety of local organizations, most often serving as their treasurer, including for the Boy Scouts, the Dublin Historical Preservation Association, the League of Women Voters, and the Knights of Columbus at St. Raymond's Church. Dr. Kohnen also served as an elected or appointed official on five boards, including the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, the Dublin San Ramon Services District, the Zone 7 Water Agency, the Alameda County Special Districts Association, and the American Association of Quality.

Jim was always there to step up when we needed him to serve in any capacity. Jim never stopped learning and he never stopped serving, so naming Dublin's post office--our only post office--after Jim is a fitting tribute to his lifetime contributions, and it helps to inspire the Tri-Valley community residents to follow in his footsteps by dedicating their lives to the service of others.

Passing this bill now also ensures that Jim's surviving wife, whom he was married to for 47 years, Pat, and their children, Bill and Mark, will be able to see Jim honored. It is also the 50th anniversary this week of when Jim and Pat both met and graduated from Ripon College in Wisconsin.

Today, we honor Jim Kohnen--loving husband and father, faithful public servant, soldier, and Eagle Scout. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 1671.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1671) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6937 Village Parkway in Dublin, California, as the ``James `Jim' Kohnen Post Office''.

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 materials on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1671, introduced by Representative Swalwell of California, which would designate the postal facility located at 6937 Village Parkway in Dublin, California, as the James ``Jim'' Kohnen Post Office.

Dr. Kohnen was a long-time leader in the community of Dublin. He passed away on May 29, 2012. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts, the League of Women Voters, served on the boards of five local boards of directors, and was an advocate for the importance of education.

Dr. Kohnen retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a colonel after 30 years of service. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, the Air War College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Having earned six higher education degrees over the course of his lifetime, including two bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees, and a doctorate in education, he became a high school teacher of political science, management, and general science. He also served as a member of the management facilities of the University of Phoenix and St. Mary's College.

Mr. Speaker, the late Dr. Kohnen lived a life of humility and service to his community. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill to honor his legacy, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 1671, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, on June 17, 2014, due to delayed transportation to Washington, I was unable to vote on rollcall 313, final passage of H.R. 3375, to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be constructed at 3141 Centennial Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the ``PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic,'' and rollcall 314, final passage of H.R. 1671, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6937 Village Parkway in Dublin, California, as the ``James `Jim' Kohnen Post Office.'' Had I been present, I intended to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, June 17, 2014, I was unavoidably absent due to a spousal medical emergency. On rollcall vote No. 313, on H.R. 3375, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 314, on H.R. 1671, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, I unavoidably missed rollcall vote No. 315, on H. Res. 628 due to a spousal medical emergency. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 1671, a bill which would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6937 Village Parkway in Dublin, California, as the James ``Jim'' Kohnen Post Office.

I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague from California (Mr. Swalwell).

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.