[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H9899-H9900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1645
                    RONALD H. BROWN FEDERAL BUILDING

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure be discharged from 
further consideration of the bill (H.R. 3560) to designate the Federal 
building located at 290 Broadway in New York, NY, as the ``Ronald H. 
Brown Federal Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in 
the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hastert). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Maryland?
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I will not 
object, and I yield to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland [Mr. 
Gilchrest] for an explanation.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, the bill designates the Federal building 
located at 290 Broadway in New York City as the Ronald H. Brown Federal 
Building.
  Ronald H. Brown was the first African-American Secretary of Commerce 
where he was influential in promoting U.S. trade abroad. He was a 
champion for expanded markets for U.S. goods and services abroad and 
opportunities at home.
  Ronald H. Brown was a civil rights advocate with a distinguished 
record of service and commitment to his country. It is unfortunate that 
he lost his life in the Balkans on April 3, 1996.
  I urge my colleagues to support this fitting tribute to this 
distinguished

[[Page H9900]]

American. We all here hope today that even though this tragic loss has 
denied the family of Mr. Brown's presence, as they walk past the 
courthouse and see his name there, some of the friendly presence that 
he left with us will be felt by them.
  The gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Shuster] could not be here for 
this, but he concurs strongly with the naming of this Federal building 
after the distinguished life and service of Mr. Brown.
  I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, continuing my reservation of objection, I 
yield to the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar].
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me, 
and I thank the gentleman from Maryland for bringing this resolution to 
the House floor.
  I think it is very appropriate and fitting for us to name a building 
in New York in Secretary Brown's hometown for him to carry on the name 
and the memory of the very distinguished service that he provided to 
this country in so many arenas, but particularly as a most 
distinguished Secretary of Commerce whose focus was jobs, tourism, 
economic growth, expansion of trade, protecting American interests at 
home and abroad. He was a truly great American, and naming of this 
building is a modest way in which we can perpetuate his memory.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from New 
York [Mr. Rangel], the sponsor of this bill, for the work that he has 
done to bring it up in such a timely fashion. I want to thank Mr. 
Gilchrest and the majority for being considerate of Mr. Rangel and our 
concerns.
  I also have great concerns that Mr. Brown's legacy should be 
reflected here with a presence in Washington and would like to place on 
notice to our committee that we will look into those regards.
  I would also like to say that Ron Brown did something else that was 
quite unusual. He helped to put the Democrat party together and to 
elect a Democrat President. And I believe without Ron Brown, the 
Democrats in the White House would not quite be there.
  In addition to that, I echo the words of our distinguished ranking 
member, Mr. Oberstar. I think Ron Brown was a fighter. He was concerned 
with people. He was always willing to take our calls and work with us 
on projects.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to stand today to designate the Federal 
building on Broadway in New York City, as does its sponsor, Mr. Rangel, 
and designate that building as the Ronald H. Brown Federal Building. It 
is absolutely deserving.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection and I urge 
support of H.R. 3560.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the bill, as follows:

                               H.R. 3560

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

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Ronald H. Brown, the first African-American Secretary 
     of Commerce, was an extraordinary statesman and an effective 
     and influential force in promoting United States trade 
     abroad;
       (2) Ronald H. Brown efficaciously championed expanded 
     markets for United States goods and services abroad, and jobs 
     and opportunities at home;
       (3) Ronald H. Brown was a passionate civil rights advocate 
     with a distinguished record of service and commitment to his 
     country and community; and
       (4) Ronald H. Brown lost his life in exceptional service to 
     his country on April 3, 1996, in the Balkans.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNATION.

       The Federal building located at 290 Broadway in New York, 
     New York, shall be known and designated as the ``Ronald H. 
     Brown Federal Building''.

     SEC. 3. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     referred to in section 2 shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the ``Ronald H. Brown Federal Building''.


    amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by mr. gilchrest

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. 
     Gilchrest:
       Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The Federal building located at 290 Broadway in New York, 
     New York, shall be known and designated as the ``Ronald H. 
     Brown Federal Building''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the ``Ronald H. Brown Federal Building''.

  Mr. GILCHREST (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that the amendment in the nature of a substitute be considered 
as read and printed in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILCHREST. This amendment, Mr. Speaker, simply strikes the 
finding from the bill. This is to conform the bill to the style used by 
the committee.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the amendment in the 
nature of a substitute offered by the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. 
Gilchrest].
  The amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the 
table.

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