[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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