[Pages H3563-H3564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS MAJOR THOMAS B. McGUIRE POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6810) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 518 North Ridgewood Drive in Sebring, Florida, as 
the ``U.S. Army Air Corps Major Thomas B. McGuire Post Office 
Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6810

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

[[Page H3564]]

  


     SECTION 1. U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS MAJOR THOMAS B. MCGUIRE POST 
                   OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 518 North Ridgewood Drive in Sebring, 
     Florida, shall be known and designated as the ``U.S. Army Air 
     Corps Major Thomas B. McGuire Post Office Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the ``U.S. Army Air Corps Major Thomas B. 
     McGuire Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Scott Franklin).
  Mr. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 6810, to 
rename a post office in Sebring, Florida, in honor of Major Thomas 
McGuire, a distinguished and decorated combat pilot killed in action 
during World War II.
  McGuire graduated from Sebring High School in my district and 
attended the Georgia Institute of Technology. There, he studied 
aeronautical engineering, played in the marching band, and joined the 
ROTC Corps of Cadets.
  Answering the call to serve his country, McGuire left Georgia Tech 
after his third year and entered the U.S. Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet 
program in 1941.
  Major McGuire became a top-scoring combat pilot with a total of 38 
enemy planes destroyed, an ace seven times over.
  On January 7, 1945, McGuire led a group of four P-38 Lightnings on a 
fighter sweep in the central Philippines. In an attempt to save another 
pilot's life who was under attack, Major McGuire risked an extremely 
hazardous maneuver at low altitude. Tragically, he crashed and was 
reported missing in action.
  In 1947, McGuire was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his 
heroic actions to save his wingman's life. Two years later, Major 
McGuire was buried with full military honors at Arlington National 
Cemetery.
  With gallant initiative, unselfish regard for his own personal 
safety, and heroic determination to destroy the enemy at all costs, 
Major McGuire set an aspiring example in keeping with the highest 
traditions of the military service.
  Mr. Speaker, as a career naval aviator, he certainly inspires me.
  We are losing more and more of our Greatest Generation veterans like 
Major McGuire every day. It is my sincere hope this bill helps 
immortalize this American hero's legacy and honors his remarkable life 
and sacrifice. I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6810. Thomas McGuire was born 
and raised in Sebring, Florida, and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps at 
20. Major McGuire was known for his daring missions and record-breaking 
efforts as an aerial combat pilot in the Air Force.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of our colleagues to join me in honoring 
the life of Major McGuire by naming the post office in Sebring, Florida 
after him.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support 
this bill honoring a great American hero. I am glad to be on the floor 
today to have the chance to hear about his exploits.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6810.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________