John W. Olver: “I thank the gentleman from Missouri for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 2767, a bill that…”

“I thank the gentleman from Missouri for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 2767, a bill that would designate the United States Post Office at 8 West Silver Street in Westfield, Massachusetts, as the William T. Trant Post Office Building. William Trant was an exemplary citizen, a soldier, a father, a public servant, and a pillar of his community. Born and raised in Westfield, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943, and participated in five of the great campaigns of World War II, including the invasion of Normandy. He was decorated with several military honors, including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Purple Heart with an oak leaf cluster for wounds sustained at Normandy and at Rhineland. After being honorably discharged at the end of the war, Mr. Trant returned home and worked for the U.S. Post Office in Westfield, leaving briefly to pitch for a minor league baseball team affiliated with the New York Giants. He served on Westfield's City Council for nearly 20 years, served as acting mayor in 1962 following the death of Westfield's incumbent mayor. Through his service, he became friends with many Massachusetts political figures from both parties, including President John Kennedy, Senator Edward Kennedy, Congressman Silvio Conte, and House Speaker Tip O'Neill. In 1967, Mr.…”