[Pages H706-H708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

KEITH D. OGLESBY STATION

Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2952) to redesignate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 100 Orchard Park Drive in Greenville, South
Carolina, as the ``Keith D. Oglesby Station''.
The Clerk read as follows:

H.R. 2952

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. REDESIGNATION.

The facility of the United States Postal Service located at
100 Orchard Park Drive in Greenville, South Carolina, and
known as the Orchard Park Station, shall be known and
designated as the ``Keith D. Oglesby Station''.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper,
or other record of the United States to the facility referred
to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the
``Keith D. Oglesby Station''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Nebraska (Mr. Terry) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia
(Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry).

General Leave

Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on H.R. 2952, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Nebraska?
There was no objection.
Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint)
introduced H.R. 2952 on September 27, 1999, along with the entire South
Carolina delegation as original cosponsors.
The Congressional Budget Office has reviewed the legislation and has
estimated that its enactment would have no significant impact on the
Federal budget and would not affect direct spending or receipts.
Therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply.
This bill contains no intergovernmental or private sector mandates as
defined by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs
on State, local, or tribal governments.
The legislation redesignates the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 100 Orchard Park Drive in Greenville, South
Carolina, presently known as the Orchard Park Station, as the Keith D.
Oglesby Station.
Keith Oglesby was the postmaster of Greenville for 6 years.
Unfortunately, sadly, tragically, he drowned last year while on
vacation with his family. Among the many activities the postmaster was
associated with are chairperson for the Greenville Counties Combined
Federal Campaign for 5 years; postal co-chair for the Upstate Postal
Customer Council and he served on the board of directors for 4 years
and President for a year of Senior Action, an organization to provide
and raise funds for social events for senior adults in Greenville
County.
Mr. Oglesby was awarded the Benjamin Award, the Postal Service's top
public relations honor. He received the second award posthumously.
Postal employees, his peers and customers in Greenville have requested
that Mr. Oglesby be remembered in the community where he lived, worked,
and served.
Mr. Oglesby was known by his words, quote, ``do the right thing,''
end quote. I believe that such an honor initiated by one's own
community is the right thing and I thank our colleague, the gentleman
from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint), for sponsoring H.R. 2952, naming a
postal facility after postmaster Keith D. Oglesby, and I urge all of
our colleagues to support this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
As a Member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to
join my committee colleague, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry),
in the consideration of two postal naming bills. Both bills honor a
number of fine individuals who have contributed much to the improvement
of their communities and States.
H.R. 2952 and H.R. 3018 have met the committee's sponsorship
requirement and are supported by the entire South Carolina
congressional delegation. In addition to and on behalf of the ranking
minority member, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), I would
like to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) and the gentleman
from New York (Mr. McHugh), for their support and assistance in the
accommodation and timely consideration of these postal-naming bills.
As a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to
bring to my colleagues' attention H.R. 2952, legislation introduced by
the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint). H.R. 2952 would
designate a post office located at 100 Orchard Park Drive in
Greenville, South Carolina, as the Keith D. Oglesby Station.
Mr. Oglesby was a tireless worker and community activist. As the
Greenville postmaster, he took his position in the community seriously.
He hosted the First-Day Issue ceremonies for the Organ & Tissue
Donation Stamp, coordinated blood drives, and participated in the March
of Dimes Walk America and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
He was honored posthumously with a second Benjamin Award, the Postal
Service's top public relations award, given in recognition of community
outreach accomplishments.
I urge my colleagues to join in honoring Mr. Oglesby and to pass H.R.
2952.
Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint), the initiator and sponsor
of this important legislation.
(Mr. DeMint asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. DeMINT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr.
Terry) very much for managing this bill on the floor.
Madam Speaker, today the House will consider a bill which is very
important to my hometown and to the people of Greenville, South
Carolina. H.R. 2952 renames the Orchard Park Station of the Greenville
Post Office in honor of the late Postmaster Keith D. Oglesby.
The tragic and unexpected death of Mr. Oglesby last summer shocked
and saddened the community of Greenville.

[[Page H707]]

As we have grieved his loss, we have also struggled to find a way to
appropriately honor Mr. Oglesby in his contribution to the post office
and to the community of Greenville.
Renaming a postal facility in his honor is one way to pay tribute to
this outstanding citizen and beloved boss. The dedication of Keith
Oglesby to his job and to serving others has aided those in the
Greenville community, as well as the State of South Carolina and the
Nation as a whole.
Among many other community service activities, Mr. Oglesby hosted the
First Day of Issue ceremonies for the Organ & Tissue Donation Stamp. He
filled Christmas stockings for the Salvation Army. He coordinated the
postal blood drive. He participated in the March of Dimes Walk America
and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Mr. Oglesby also supported the work of the Greenville Family
Partnership, which I am on their board, and he supported our efforts to
keep kids safe and drug free.
He was honored by the Greenville Family Partnership as the volunteer
of the year in 1997. As a supervisor, as has already been mentioned, he
always told his workers to do the right thing. This motto permeated his
actions and expectations to local postal customers, employees of the
post office, and to higher management of the United States Postal
Service.
We recognize his service to our community. He was also honored, as
has been mentioned already today, with two Benjamin Awards, the Postal
Service's top public relations honor given to recognize community
outreach accomplishments.
In the word of a Greenville postal employee, renaming the facility in
honor of Keith D. Oglesby is important, because, and I quote, ``Keith
Oglesby, a man respected and admired by his peers, his employees and
many, many postal customers, would always be remembered in a community
which he proudly lived, worked and served.''
Madam Speaker, we are a success in this life when the people who know
us the best love us the most.

{time} 1030

We received this morning a number of pages of quotes and comments
from folks who had worked for Mr. Oglesby and knew him and I will
submit them for the Record at this time.
The following quotes testify to the character of Keith D.
Oglesby, who we seek to honor today by passing H.R. 2952,
designating the Keith D. Oglesby Station.
______

As the past branch president for the local letter carriers'
union, I had the honor of working with Keith Oglesby for more
than five years. Keith's door was always open for any
employee at any level, and when you spoke, he listened.
In my 30 years with the Postal Service, Keith was, without
a doubt, a man who defined dignity and respect for all
employees at all levels. He walked the talk--every day--every
hour--every minute that I knew him.
I know I will never meet another like him, and for this, I
am sad. But I'll never forget his kind, smiling face, and
I'll always smile when he walks through my memories.
Steven B. Gibson,
US Postal Service.
____

If you close your eyes and think for a moment of the kind
of person you would most like to have as a friend, a father,
a brother or a neighbor, Keith will come to mind.
He was fun and funny: interesting and interested; caring
and carefree; warm and giving in all walks of his life. I
appreciate to opportunity to have worked with Keith through
the Upstate Postal Customer Council.
Carolyn Thompson,
Liberty Life.
____

I met Keith when I became a member of the Upstate Postal
Customer Council Executive Board in 1996.
He was energetic, kind-hearted and had a great sense of
humor. He had a genuine concern for people and always greeted
you with a smile.
Keith was an inspiration and a blessing to all who knew
him. We will miss him dearly!
Kathy Jenkins,
Clemson University.
____

In every way, Keith Oglesby consistently provided an
example of being a superior manager of the public's trust,
while being a warm, interactive employer and a human being.

Hugh M. Hampton, Jr.,

Manager, Marketing,
US Postal Service.
____

Keith believed in the power of positive reinforcement to
achieve goals. While others may have resorted to threats or
predictions of gloom and doom, Keith inspired each person the
encountered to live up to their full potential, not only with
his words, but with his actions.
Because of his belief in the basic good in everyone, the
``impossible'' became the ``possible'' and achievable.
Carolyn Clark,
US Postal Service.
____

Daryel (Keith) was a devoted and loving husband; a caring
and encouraging father; a faithful friend and a Man among
Men.
Daryel (Keith) always welcomed people with open arms,
accepting them for who they were, never judging but always
supporting.
Stephen Jeter,
Family Friend.
____

Keith Daryel Oglesby never met a stranger. His love and
caring for everyone he met was truly an inspiration.
Our forty-year friendship with Keith has allowed us to
witness his dedication to his family, work and friends with
the most wonderful combination of sincerity, responsibility
energy and humor. We were blessed to have been a part of his
life.
Tommy and Jeannie Barret,
Family Friends.
____

Keith always put the important things in their proper
perspective--like family, a worthy cause, menitoring others,
health and doing things he loved. His memory is a source of
strength to all who knew him.
Guynell Brown,
US Postal Service.
____

Not only did Keith always look for and see the best in
people, he also helped others see the best in themselves. He
was a person who truly ``walked the talk.''
Sandra Taylor,
US Postal Service.
____

Keith was the most genuine person I ever met. He always
made everyone feel comfortable and at ease. He was everyone's
friend.
Jeanne Brown,
Greenville Marriott.
____

Keith Oglesby was a kind, gentle and honorable man--someone
you knew you could trust.
Jim Hardwick,
Hardwick Printing.
____

1. A friend to everyone.
2. Caring for others--senior citizens, employees, and
visitors.
3. Patience--willing to listen to those who had an opinion,
either good or bad.
4. Placed the customer first.
5. Motivator.
6. Encourager--encouraged people to take the worst moments
in their lives and make them positive.
7. Loyal--Keith was loyal to the employees at the lowest
level of work to the senior management in the organization.
8. Time--Keith would take the time to hear from a
dissatisfied customer, an employee with a problem or someone
who needed his help.
9. A futurist--looking at a problem and able to see the
positive in every situation.
10. A loyal Florida State graduate and Seminole fan.
Tommy Abbott,
US Postal Service.
____

Keith Oglesby was the most compassionate and caring person
you could ever hope to work for. No employee was too small;
nor was time ever too short for Keith to take a minute to
talk.
Thomas Turner,
US Postal Service.
____

Keith was the finest neighbor and family man ever. He was a
kind, humble person--a gentleman's gentleman.
People who met him didn't just like him--they LOVED him.
There was no gray area.
Robert Moon,
Retired postal employee, friend and neighbor.
____

Keith Daryel Oglesby, A Special Friend, June 5, 1947-June 7, 1999--
Postmaster, Greenville, SC, December 26, 1992-June 7, 1999

Loved By All--Missed By All

(By Tommy Abbott, June 10, 1999)

He must have been born happy and with a smile;
It must have remained there when he was a child.
He kept it there throughout his adult life--this smile on his
face,
He shared it with everyone he met no matter what the place.

He must have been born with a big heart that had an unusual
beat.
It was a heart that cared for the people he would meet.
A heart that would listen to those who wanted to talk;
No matter who the person was or the path they had walked.

He must have been born with a caring mind;
He always had an attitude that was sweet and kind.
When others had a need, he would place them first;
And give them food, or water to meet their thirst.

He must have been born with happy feet;
He would walk around and encourage those he would meet.
If he found that you were disappointed with life or a little
down;

[[Page H708]]

He would cheer you up and you were glad he was around.

He must have been born with a gift of encouragement;
It was one of those gifts that God would have sent.
He was good at encouraging others and lifting them up;
It only took his smile, his voice, or sharing coffee in a
cup.

He must have been born with the ability to look ahead;
Because he was normally thinking what to do or what to be
said.
He had the answers for problems or trouble that came his way;
They seemed to disappear when you listened to what he had to
say.

Keith was born and one day, like everyone, he had to die;
That is something we all face in this present life.
But he has come onto our life's path and taught us many
lessons;
On looking at the best in life and be happy for no reasons.

God went into the garden the other day to pick some flowers;
He didn't have to spend all day searching or even an hour.
He saw one flower, it was a beauty and happy in life's
breeze;
He said that is My flower, I will take it home;
And Keith smiled.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote in favor of House
Resolution 2952. The Keith D. Oglesby Station would be a permanent
memorial of the steadfast service of Keith Oglesby to the Greenville
community and to the United States Post Office.
Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2952.
The question was taken.
Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

____________________