[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 141 (Monday, October 3, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      THEODORE LEVIN FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4967) to designate the Federal building and U.S. courthouse 
in Detroit, MI, as the ``Theodore Levin Federal Building and United 
States Courthouse,'' as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4967

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

     SECTION 1. THEODORE LEVIN UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE.

       (a) Designation.--The United States courthouse located at 
     231 West Lafayette Street in Detroit, Michigan, shall be 
     known and designated at the ``Theodore Levin United States 
     Courthouse''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     United States courthouse referred to in subsection (a) shall 
     be deemed to be a reference to the ``Theodore Levin United 
     States Courthouse''.

     SEC. 2. GEORGE W. YOUNG POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The postal facility located at 1401 West 
     Fort Street, in Detroit, Michigan, shall be known and 
     designated as the ``George W. Young Post Office''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     postal facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed 
     to be a reference to the ``George W. Young Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio [Mr. Traficant] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Petri] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant].
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the author of the bill, the 
gentlewoman from Michigan [Miss Collins] who has distinguished herself 
here in her first term, and also the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. 
Dingell], a very powerful chairman of the House, for their 
contributions.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from Michigan [Miss Collins].
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4967 
as amended. This bill designates the Federal building and U.S. 
courthouse as the ``Theodore Levin Federal Building & United States 
Courthouse.'' It also designates the Postal facility at 1401 West Fort 
Street, Detroit, MI as the ``George W. Young Post Office.''
  Mr. Speaker, both Judge Levin and George Young were institutions in 
Detroit, and it is with great pleasure and privilege that we honor 
these men by the naming of these buildings.
  Judge Theodore Levin served the people of the eastern district of 
Michigan as U.S. district judge from the time of his appointment by 
President Harry S. Truman in 1946 until his death in 1970. He served as 
chief judge from 1959 until 1967. Judge Levin exemplified the hallmarks 
of a good judge, including attributes of fairness, compassion, public 
service, and humility, and inspires lawyers throughout this country to 
be committed to and love the practice of law.
  He also served his community outside of his work on the bench. It was 
his belief in the power of the community that initially attracted him 
to the practice of law. He believed that society would be a much better 
place if we contributed our time and energy to our respective 
communities.
  I am pleased to join the countless others who support the naming of 
this Federal building and U.S. courthouse as the ``Theodore Levin 
Federal Building and United States Courthouse.''
  George W. Young also was a stellar Detroiter. He diligently served as 
a dedicated employee of the Detroit Postal Service for more than 20 
years. He began his employment with the Postal Service as a window 
clerk, before moving up to become assistant personnel director, then 
assistant postmaster for the Detroit Regional Post Office, in the 
1960's and 1970's.
  As a former Postal employee, I had the pleasure of serving under Mr. 
Young when he was the assistant postmaster for Detroit. George Young 
had a special way of listening to Postal employees. His responsiveness 
and attentiveness to employees concerns helped ease the stress and 
boost morale. He was a great and caring man.
  He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Detroit in 1961. 
In addition, he graduated from the U.S. Army's Officer Candidate 
School, achieving the school's second highest test score, just below 
his brother, the Honorable Coleman A. Young, former mayor of the city 
of Detroit. Mr. Young was drafted in World War II and served in the 
Army Signal Corps, achieving the rank of captain. His widow, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Robinson, with whom he had one son, Ronald Young, still 
reside in my district in Detroit.
  I am pleased to join the entire Young family, as well as the citizens 
of Detroit, in their desire to rename the Postal facility at 1401 West 
Fort Street the ``George W. Young Post Office.''
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4967 as amended.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this bill. I urge my colleagues to support the 
measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4967, a bill to designate the 
U.S. courthouse in Detroit, MI, as the ``Theodore Levin United States 
Courthouse.'' Judge Levin's family is well represented in Congress, as 
his nephews, Senator Carl Levin, and Congressman Sandy Levin, serve 
with distinction in the 103d Congress.
  Judge Levin was born in Chicago, IL on February 18, 1897, and 
attended the University of Detroit, where he received a master of laws 
degree in 1924. He commenced the practice of law in Detroit, and in 
1933 was appointed special assistant attorney general for the State of 
Michigan, where he conducted proceedings concerning bank closings in 
Michigan.
  In 1946, Levin was nominated by President Truman to be a U.S. 
district judge for the eastern district of Michigan. Judge Levin served 
with distinction until shortly before his death in 1970. During his 
tenure on the Federal bench, Judge Levin promoted uniform sentencing 
for prisoners, and his efforts were well received by other judicial 
districts.
  Judge Levin was active in civil, religious, and charitable 
activities, and was so recognized for his efforts.
  I support this bill and urge my colleagues to support the measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Theodore Levin of Michigan had a distinguished career, 
as has been cited by the beautiful testament here of the gentlewoman 
from Michigan [Miss Collins].
  Mr. Speaker, this is a piece of legislation that has bipartisan 
support. I urge the adoption of the legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, Theodore Levin of Michigan, had a distinguished career 
as an attorney and as a Federal judge. In his private practice, he 
became renowned in the Detroit community for his defense of the poor 
and forsaken.
  In 1946 President Truman appointed Levin to be a U.S. district judge 
for the Eastern District of Michigan. His performance in this capacity 
was outstanding. This was especially true of his courageous innovations 
to achieve equal justice before the law for prisoners. In 1959 Levin 
became the chief judge of the court. He held that position until 1967 
when he reached the age of 70. He remained on the bench until shortly 
before his death 3 years later.
  This compassionate jurist deserves to be honored by having this U.S. 
courthouse named after him. This bill has my strong support, and the 
bipartisan support of the committee.
  Mr. Speaker, the amendment to H.R. 4967 would designate the postal 
facility located at 1401 West Fort Street in Detroit, MI, as the George 
W. Young Post Office. Mr. Young served the Postal Service with 
distinction for over 20 years. He was revered for his caring and 
devotion to his fellow employees. He was a magna cum laude Graduate 
from the University of Detroit, and served in World War II in the Army 
Signal Corps.

  I am pleased to join Ms. Collins in support of this effort.
  I urge adoption of H.R. 4967, as amended, with an amendment.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Michigan [Mr. Dingell].
  (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues on the 
Committee on Public Works and Transportation for the fine job they have 
done on this legislation.
  I want to commend my dear friend, the gentlewoman from Michigan [Miss 
Collins].
  Judge Levin was a distinguished jurist, a great American, a patriot, 
a man of great dignity and gentleness and goodness. He was a Federal 
judge who personsified not only the dignity of the bench but the 
goodness of humanity. He is a man who is much respected and admired yet 
in Michigan. It is a wonderful thing that he is to receive this honor.
  I want to thank my colleagues for the expeditious way in which they 
have handled it and commend the gentlewoman from Michigan for her 
leadership in this matter.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend all who worked on the 
bill, the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Duncan], and all the staff, and 
I urge an ``aye'' vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the legislation 
offered by my esteemed colleague, Barbara-Rose Collins. I commend the 
gentlelady for her hard work on this legislation, and commend the 
subcommittee chairman, Mr. Traficant, and the subcommittee ranking 
minority member, Mr. Duncan, for their leadership in bringing this bill 
to the floor.
  H.R. 4967 would pay a high tribute to one of the finest public 
servants I ever have known, Judge Theodore Levin.
  I was fortunate to have known Judge Levin. Having served as his law 
clerk in the earliest days of my career, he taught me many lessons 
about the law as well as the meaning of dedicted public service.
  Many Michiganians remember how Judge Levin's contributions epitomized 
the spirit which made Detroit a great city. During his lifetime, 
Detroit became known as the Motor City, and then the Arsenal of 
Democracy. People from across the Nation, and around the world, came to 
the Detroit of Judge Levin's day because of abundant opportunity in a 
prospering city.
  Judge Levin served the eastern district of Michigan during Detroit's 
golden years, a time when this city was known as an example of the 
American dream. It is fitting that we place the name of Theodore Levin 
on this prominent building, at the center of a city rebuilding itself. 
By doing so, it reminds us that Detroit possesses a historical 
foundation which strongly supports its renaissance.
  Judge Levin's appointment as a Federal judge was just one high point 
in a very distinguished career. Long before this appointment to the 
Federal bench by President Harry Truman in 1946, Judge Levin served as 
a progressive advocate of fairness in our rapidly changing society. One 
unpopular cause undertaken by Judge Levin was his fight against the 
Michgan Alien Registration and Fingerprinting Act of 1931. This act 
contained cruel requirements directed against immigrants, singling them 
out for humiliation. In response, then-attorney Theodore Levin joined 
others who fought the constitutionality of this legislation in Federal 
court--and won.
  Taking the bench after the Second World War, Judge Levin quickly 
gained a reputation as an astute jurist, one who could discern the 
relevant issues in remarkably short order to arrive at a just decision. 
The judge earned a nationwide reputation for his advocacy of 
enlightened sentencing practices, and pioneered the use of sentencing 
councils in the eastern district of Michigan.
  In addition, Judge Levin was an active and dedicated member of his 
community, serving in leadership positions for many local charities and 
foundations. His contributions during this era were indicative of the 
can-do spirit which moved Detroit to great heights in the middle of 
this century.
  After Judge Levin died in 1970, a memorial tribute stated the 
following:

       He exercised the awesome power of a federal judge with 
     compassion. While demanding perfection of himself, he was 
     constantly aware of the frailties of human nature. He died as 
     he had lived, with a deep sense of responsibility and an 
     attitude of humility. He was a great judge.

  Mr. Speaker, the verity of this statement has only strengthened over 
time. Early this past summer, when I was contacted by another of 
Michigan's most respected Federal jurists, Judge John Feikens, I 
instantly accepted his proposal that I support the naming of our 
courthouse for Judge Levin. It must be said that Judge Feikens has 
worked tirelessly on behalf of the legislation before this subcommittee 
today. The citizens of Michigan owe him a debt of gratitude for his 
efforts.
  With the solid support of Michigan's legal community, I urge House 
adoption of H.R. 4967, and look forward to the bill's enactment.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4967, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule 1 and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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