Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker. H.R. 3712 as amended is a bill to designate the Federal building located at 1716 Spielbusch Avenue in Toledo. Ohio. as the "James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L. Ashley United States Courthouse". The late Congressman and Governor James M. Ashley andcfformer Congressman Thomas W.L. Ashley served their Ohio constituents for over 30 years as Members of Congress and Govemor. The Ashley family has served with distinction in public service for a span of almost 100 years in the state of Ohio. James Monroe Ashley served five terms as a Republican Congressman from Ohio. Govemor Ashleys best known Congressional achievement was as the primary sponsor of the resolution which is recognized as the antecedent of the thirteenth amendment which abolished slavery within the United States and its territories. While in Congress. James Ashley also became the chair of the House Committee on Territories. leading the congressional effort to organize Nevada. Idaho. Arizona. Wyoming. and Montana. As chair of the House Committee on Territories. he wrote the enabling act for Nebraska. Colorado. and Nevada on which he conditioned that a separate vote be held by these potential member States that would prevent them from establishing slavery without the consent and approval of Congress. With this measure. Ashley. an avowed abolitionist. signaled that no new slave States would be admitted to the Union. After serving in Congress. James M. Ashley was appointed Governor of Montana in 1869 by President Ulysses S. Grant. Thomas William -Ludlow Ashley was the greatgrandson of former Governor and Congressman James M. Ashley. Congressman Thomas Ashley served in the United States Army during the Second World War. He went on to graduate first from Yale University in .1948 and from the Ohio State University Law School in 1951. Congressman Ashley later held several positions as a private lawyer and a member of the media. In 1954 Congressman Ashley was elected as a Democrat to Congress and went on to serve a total of 13 terms in Congress. While in Congress. Congressman Ashley served as chairman of the Select Committee on Energy and the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. Congressman. Ashley also served as the assistant majority whip for the Democratic Party. Congressman Ashleys most prominent legislative success was PL 89117 which directed the Federal Government to assist in the provision of housing for low and moderate income families. This law was the precursor to the creation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development which was created later in that same Congress. After leaving Congress in 1981. Ashley went on to found a legal and consulting firm in Washington. DC. Congressman Thomas W.L. Ashley currently resides in the Washington. DC area. James Monroe Ashley and Thomas William Ludlow Ashley will be remembered as distinguished public servants to the great State of Ohio. The Ashley family served as leaders in both the Democratic and Republican Party in Ohio and each served their party well. They will be respected as great Americans whose dedication to public service was passed down through the generations. As such. it is very appropriate that the United States Courthouse in Toledo. Ohio. be designated as the "James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L. Ashley United States Courthouse". I recognize the gentlelady from Ohio