URSULA ELLEN KENNEDY POST OFFICE BUILDING

On 2026-06-29, Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) delivered a floor speech titled "URSULA ELLEN KENNEDY POST OFFICE BUILDING" in the House.

URSULA ELLEN KENNEDY POST OFFICE BUILDING

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026)] [House] [Page H4280] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] URSULA ELLEN KENNEDY POST OFFICE BUILDING Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3350) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 340 East 1st Street in Tustin, California, as the ``Ursula Ellen Kennedy Post Office Building''. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3350 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. URSULA ELLEN KENNEDY POST OFFICE BUILDING. (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 340 East 1st Street in Tustin, California, shall be known and designated as the ``Ursula Ellen Kennedy 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 ``Ursula Ellen Kennedy Post Office Building''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Subramanyam) 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 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 myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill to rename a post office in Tustin, California, for Ursula Ellen Kennedy. Ursula and her husband raised three children in Tustin, California. She was an accomplished author, publishing more than 500 articles and a book on essays. In 1978, Ursula became the first woman ever elected to the Tustin City Council. Twelve years later, Ursula became the first woman elected to mayor where she served for two terms. Through her dedicated leadership to the city of Tustin, Ursula contributed to the creation of senior services, community planning, and environmental protections, leaving a lasting civic legacy. She will be remembered for her humor, persistence, and relentless work ethic. Mr. Speaker, I call on my House colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in supporting this bill. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting the life of Mayor Kennedy and her public service for the city of Tustin, California, by naming this post office after her. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim). Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3350, to designate a post office in the city of Tustin, California, as the Ursula Ellen Kennedy Post Office Building. Ursula Ellen Kennedy made history as the first woman elected to the Tustin City Council and the first woman to serve as mayor of Tustin. At a time when few women held public office, Ursula stepped forward to serve the city she loved. In 1978, she was elected to the Tustin City Council, and 6 years later, her colleagues chose her to serve as Tustin's mayor. However, her story did not begin in city hall. While raising her family, she became a writer, publishing more than 500 articles and a book of essays. In her forties, she enrolled in law school, earned her degree, passed the bar, and built her career as an attorney while raising her family. Ursula came to city hall to build a stronger Tustin. When the city's planning commission was disbanded, she fought to restore it because she believed residents deserved a voice in their community's future. She helped guide the development of east Tustin into the neighborhood we know today as Tustin Ranch. She also championed the senior center that still serves residents today, helping bring it from vision to reality. More than three decades later, it remains a lasting testament to her leadership. Ursula Kennedy passed away in 2024 at the age of 87. She is remembered as a woman of vision, humor, fairness, and heart. She leaves behind a loving family who continues her legacy. While we can never fully repay leaders like Ursula Kennedy, dedicating this post office ensures her legacy lives on in the community she helped build. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Kennedy family for working with me on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3350. May Ursula Kennedy's life continue to inspire us all. {time} 1530 Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support me in passing H.R. 3350, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill naming a post office for Ursula Ellen Kennedy, an author, mother, and dedicated leader in public service. 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. 3350. 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. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR3350, HR3350