A Sample Bill Introduction Memo

To:?????? MDH

From:?? Amelia O’Connor

Date:??? January 8, 2024

Re:?????? Introduction of William Almon Wheeler Post Office Building Designation Act

______________________________________________________________________________

?As we have previously discussed, your staff has prepared the William Almon Wheeler Post Office Building Designation Act for introduction. To that end, attached for your consideration please find:

(1)?? The text of the William Almon Wheeler Post Office Building Designation Act

(2)?? A draft Congressional Record statement

(3)?? A draft Press Release

(4)?? A draft Dear Colleague

(5)?? A draft social media post

The bill would designate the post office building in Malone, New York, as the William Almon Wheeler Post Building. This is significant because William Almon Wheeler was a Malone native who served as the 19th Vice President of the United States as well as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

As you will recall, Representative Ron Cardinal (D-NY) has agreed to serve as the lead Democratic cosponsor of your bill. Senators Eric Champagne (R-NY) and ?Francine Finley (D-NY) are going to introduce companion legislation but have agreed to wait and stagger its introduction to maximize press interest and coverage of both measures.

The bill is supported by the local elected officials and community. While it is not a top priority, they understand the rationale and agree that it is appropriate given Mr. Wheeler’s historic achievement and native son status. We are not aware of any opposition nor of any controversy surrounding Mr. Wheeler.

We recommend that you introduce the bill this week, when your schedule allows you to go to the floor to give some brief remarks. We will then be able to use video of your remarks with local media, on social media, and otherwise as appropriate. We will coordinate with Mr. Cardinal’s staff to provide him with the opportunity to join you if he wishes to do so.

After the bill’s introduction, your staff recommends that you call the mayor, the chairman of the county board of legislature, the local assemblyman, the president of the county house of history. We also recommend that you thank Representative Cardinal on the floor and speak to the House Oversight Committee Chair to let them know that you have introduced the bill, thank them for their staff’s assistance to date, and tell them that you look forward to working with them further as the legislative process continues.

Attachment # 1 (Bill Text)

Attachment #2 (Draft Congressional Record Statement)

Mr. HOLLAND. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to introduce the William Almon Wheeler Post Office Building Designation Act. As I do so, I thank my colleague and friend, the Gentleman from New York, Mr. Cardinal, for joining me as an original cosponsor. Very simply, this measure would name the post office building located at 482 East Main Street in Malone, New York, after our nation’s 19th Vice President, who I am proud to say was a Malone native.

Born in Malone on June 30, 1819, Mr. Wheeler attended Franklin Academy and the University of Vermont before returning home. He was admitted to the bar in 1845 and practiced law in Malone before serving as Franklin County District Attorney from 1846 to 1849. Mr. Wheeler then represented Franklin County in the New York State Assembly in 1850 and 1851 before serving in the New York State Senate in 1858 and 1859.

Mr. Wheeler was next elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 1861 to 1863 and 1869 to 1877. Notably, during his service in the House, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Pacific Railroads as well as the Committee on Commerce.

It is worth noting that Mr. Wheeler was well known for his honesty. Additionally, when he accepted the presidency of New York State’s Constitutional Convention, he shared his support for racial equality.

While unknown to the 1876 Republican Presidential candidate, Rutherford B. Hayes, Mr. Wheeler was selected by the convention delegates as the vice-presidential nominee largely because he was popular among his colleagues and provided geographic balance. After the Hayes-Wheeler ticket prevailed, Mr. Wheeler served as a Vice President from 1877 to 1881. When the term ended, Mr. Wheeler returned home to Malone, where he died on June 7, 1887.

Throughout my life, I have been amazed and proud that a Vice President came from my hometown. I have always enjoyed seeing his former home and the collection of artifacts from his life and career housed at the House of History. To me, Mr. Wheeler’s career is a great example of how anything is possible in America. Anyone from any small town, can make a difference through hard work and ability. Moreover, it is an example that is worth remembering through the designation of a local post office building in his hometown. Accordingly, I ask my colleagues to join with Mr. Cardinal and me in enacting this legislation.

Attachment #3 (Draft Pess Release)

Holland Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Name Malone Post Office After William Almon Wheeler

January x, 2024

Press Release

Washington, D.C.??–?Today, United States Representatives Mike Holland (R-NY) and Ron Cardinal (D-NY) introduced the Willliam Almon Wheeler Post Office Building Designation Act. This bipartisan legislation would name the post office located at 482 East Main Street in Malone, New York, after William Almon Wheeler, our nation’s 19th Vice President.

“Throughout my life, I have been amazed and proud that a Vice President came from my hometown. To me, Vice President Wheeler’s career is a great example of how anything is possible in America. Anyone from any small town can make a difference through hard work and ability,”?said Holland.? ?

“Additionally, Vice President Wheeler was well known for his character, particularly his honesty,”?said Holland. “I am honored to lead this legislation to recognize and remember one of Malone’s most prominent native sons. I thank my colleague, Representative Ron Cardinal (D-NY) for his willingness to partner with me on this bipartisan effort,” said Holland.

“Mr. Wheeler’s service as Vice President is a very significant achievement,”?said Cardinal.?“I am proud to co-lead this legislation to ensure this achievement is remembered and provides inspiration to the next generations, not only in Malone but throughout the North Country and New York State,” said Cardinal.

The William Almon Wheeler Post Office Building Designation Act has been referred to the House of Representatives Committee on Government and Accountability.

Attachment #4 (Draft Dear Colleague)?

Dear Colleague:

We write to invite you to join us a cosponsors of the William Almon Wheeler Post Office Building Designation Act. Very simply, this measure would name the post office building located at 482 East Main Street in Malone, New York after our nation’s 19th Vice President.

Born in Malone on June 30, 1819, Mr. Wheeler attended Franklin Academy and the University of Vermont before returning home. He was admitted to the bar in 1845 and practiced law in Malone before serving as Franklin County District Attorney from 1846 to 1849. Mr. Wheeler then represented Franklin County in the New York State Assembly in 1850 and 1851 before serving in the New York State Senate in 1858 and 1859.

Mr. Wheeler was next elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 1861 to 1863 and 1869 to 1877. Notably, during his service in the House, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Pacific Railroads as well as the Committee on Commerce.

It is worth noting that Mr. Wheeler was well known for his honesty. Additionally, when he accepted the presidency of New York State’s Constitutional Convention, he shared his support for racial equality.

While unknown to the 1876 Republican Presidential candidate, Rutherford B. Hayes, Mr. Wheeler was selected by the convention delegates as the vice-presidential nominee largely because he was popular among his colleagues and provided geographic balance. After the Hayes-Wheeler ticket prevailed, Mr. Wheeler served as a Vice President from 1877 to 1881. When the term ended, Mr. Wheeler returned home to Malone, where he died on June 7, 1887.

Mr. Wheeler’s career is a great example of how anything is possible in America. Anyone from any small town, can make a difference through hard work and ability. Moreover, it is an example that is worth remembering through the designation of a local post office building in his hometown. Accordingly, we ask you to join us as cosponsors of this legislation and in our effort to enact it into law

To become a cosponsor, please email or call Amelia O’Connor (email address and phone number) in Representative Holland’s office or Jackie Harrigan (email address and phone number) in Representative Cardinal’s office. Thank you.

Attachment #5 (Draft Social Media Post)

Today, I introduced legislation to name the post office in Malone, New York, after one of that community’s most prominent natives – Williama Almon Wheeler – our nation’s 19th Vice President. His career illustrates that in America anyone from anywhere can accomplish great things with hard work and ability.

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