[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 65 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     MEDGAR WILEY EVERS POST OFFICE

  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 3863) to designate the Post Office building 
located at 401 E. South Street in Jackson, MS, as the ``Medgar Wiley 
Evers Post Office.''
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3863

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The Post Office building located at 401 E. South Street in 
     Jackson, Mississippi, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Medgar Wiley Evers Post Office''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in law, map, regulation, document, paper, or 
     other record of the United States to the building referred to 
     in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the 
     ``Medgar Wiley Evers Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Michigan [Miss Collins] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Petri] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan [Miss Collins].
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I am pleased to support the passage of H.R. 3863, designating the 
U.S. Post Office building located at 401 E. South Street, in Jackson, 
MS the ``Medgar Wiley Evers Post Office.''
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Evers was a native of Decatur, MS. He also was a 
World War II veteran and very active in the National Association for 
the Advancement of Colored People. Under his able leadership--as field 
secretary--the NAACP made tremendous strides in helping to eliminate 
this Nation's terrible practice of racial segregation, in all phases of 
American society.
  Mr. Speaker, it is impossible to speak of Mr. Evers other than in 
superlatives. He was a loving husband and father, very dedicated to his 
community and country. But, Mr. Speaker, most of all Medgar Evers was 
committed, committed to fairness and equality for all. For that 
commitment, he was brutally assassinated in the driveway of his home. 
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, it would indeed be a fitting tribute to the 
memory of this very special gentleman, Medgar Wiley Evers--who left an 
indelible imprint on the racial unfairness of America and sacrificed 
his life in the process--to have the postal facility located at 401 E. 
South Street, Jackson, MS, named in his honor.
  I am very pleased to join Congressman Bennie Thompson and the 
citizens of Jackson, MS, in their desire to name the postal facility at 
401 E. South Street, in Jackson, MS, the ``Medgar Wiley Evers Post 
Office,'' and I enthusiastically urge my colleagues to support the 
measure.

                              {time}  1340

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3863, legislation designating 
the Post Office building at 401 East South Street in Jackson, MS, as 
the ``Medgar Wiley Evers Post Office.''
  As field secretary of the NAACP in Mississippi, Medgar Evers 
successfully advocated desegregation, voter registration, and strongly 
opposed racial violence. Evidence of his legacy is reflected in all 
aspects of political and social life in Mississippi today. The naming 
of the main Post Office building in Jackson, MS, after Medgar Wiley 
Evers is an excellent opportunity to honor his many contributions to 
Mississippi and the Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Mississippi 
[Mr. Thompson].
  (Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I stand today seeking 
passage of the Medgar Wiley Evers Post Office bill. This bill is to 
name the main post office in Jackson, MS after the slain civil rights 
leader, Medgar Wiley Evers.
  After graduating from the public schools in Decatur, MS, Medgar 
enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in World War II. Upon 
returning from the Army, he enrolled in Alcorn State University in 
Lorman, MS where he earned a bachelors of science degree in business 
administration.
  Medgar began his career as an insurance agent with the Magnolia 
Mutual Insurance Co. in Mound Bayou, MS. Thereafter, he moved to 
Jackson, MS and became active with the Mississippi chapter of the 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In 1954, 
Medgar was appointed field secretary of the Mississippi NAACP.
  Under Medgar's leadership, the NAACP advocated desegregation of 
public schools throughout Mississippi. In fact, he served as a 
plaintiff on behalf of his three children to desegregate the Jackson, 
MS School System. In addition, he worked closely with NAACP lawyers in 
getting the first black student admitted to the University of 
Mississippi in 1962.
  As the only full-time staff member of the Mississippi NAACP, Medgar 
devoted his life to fighting the injustices that plagued blacks in the 
State. Medgar was instrumental in encouraging and registering blacks to 
vote. As a direct result of his efforts, today, Mississippi leads the 
Nation in having the highest number of black elected officials. Even 
though Medgar stood in strong opposition to racial violence, he was 
assassinated on a hot summer night in June 1963. This was a turning 
point in the civil rights movement because it encouraged citizens and 
the Federal Government to increase their efforts in the area of human 
rights.
  Just a few months ago, we put an end to this very terrible chapter in 
Mississippi's history. After 30 years and two mistrials, a third trial 
was held and a jury convicted the murderer of this husband, father, 
statesman, hero, and leader, Medgar Wiley Evers.
  In light of the immeasurable contributions that Medgar made for this 
Nation in general, and Mississippi in particular, I urge Members to 
vote yes for H.R. 3863.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mazzoli). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Michigan [Miss Collins] that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3863.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof), the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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