Pallone bill honoring NJ Congressman James J. Howard passes House

WASHINGTON, DC - Legislation introduced by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) to designate the U.S. Post Office in Spring Lake, New Jersey in honor of Congressman James J. Howard overwhelmingly passed the House today.

Before final passage, Pallone spoke on the House floor highlighting Howard's decades of service to New Jersey and his leadership on public transit, environmental protection, and public safety.

"As the Representative of New Jersey's Third District for over twenty years from 1965 to 1988, Jim Howard was a strong force in Congress," said Pallone. "…Being a Democrat from a conservative New Jersey district, he listened to anyone's opinion, always sought common ground, and never stopped fighting for working class people. It is only right that Jim's important and lasting legacy to New Jersey and the rest of the country be recognized at his local post office."

Pallone's bill, H.R. 1431, designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 2407 State Route 71 in Spring Lake, New Jersey, as the "James J. Howard Post Office."

Pallone's full floor remarks (as prepared for delivery) can be found below. Download footage of his remarks here. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Mr./Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill to name the post office in Spring Lake, New Jersey after my predecessor and mentor, Congressman Jim Howard. Thank you to Representative Smith and the rest of the New Jersey delegation for cosponsoring my bill.

As the Representative of New Jersey's Third District for over twenty years from 1965 to 1988, Jim Howard was a strong force in Congress. Through his work as the Chairman of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, he wrote and passed legislation that genuinely saved thousands of lives - laws to tackle drunk driving, passenger safety, and the first ever 55 mile-per-hour speed limit on federal highways.

Jim also came up with his "Howard Plan," which was the very first time mass transit and highway legislation were combined into one Surface Transportation bill, because he recognized that rebuilding our infrastructure wouldn't just improve people's lives, it would mean economic growth and jobs throughout the country.

For his home state, he helped secure crucial federal funding for beach restoration, the rebuilding of the Barnegat Inlet, and the electrification of the North Jersey Coast Rail Line, all projects that New Jerseyans still benefit from to this day.

While Jim was a strong champion for revitalizing our nation's infrastructure, he was an even stronger force for New Jersey's coastal communities and environmental protection. Through major legislation like the Superfund Act of 1986, Groundwater Protection Act, and the Plastic Pollution and Research Act, he never forgot that New Jersey suffered greatly from toxic waste sites, ocean dumping, or plastic pollution.

He even successfully fought back against a Presidential veto by sponsoring and passing the 1987 Clean Water Act, which helped create the Clean Water State Revolving Fund that still provides millions of dollars in funding every year for a range of water quality infrastructure projects across the county.

Before his passing, Jim resided in Spring Lake, New Jersey, where his wife Marlene still lives. Marlene and the rest of Jim's family were critical to his success as a Congressman. His very first political campaign in 1964 was run from his kitchen table, using his family savings of about $5,000 to run for office, with Marlene as his campaign manager. His slogan was "He cares about people, it's that simple." It really encapsulated Jim's work and demeanor. Being a Democrat from a conservative New Jersey district, he listened to anyone's opinion, always sought common ground, and never stopped fighting for working class people. It is only right that Jim's important and lasting legacy to New Jersey and the rest of the country be recognized at his local post office.

I urge all Members to vote yes on my bill to honor a great man and Congressman.

Thank you and I yield back.

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