[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CARDISS COLLINS POST OFFICE BUILDING, OTIS GRANT COLLINS POST OFFICE 
   BUILDING, MARY ALICE (MA) HENRY POST OFFICE BUILDING, AND ROBERT 
                   LeFLORE, JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 24, 1999

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to sponsor H.R. 
1191, a bill to designate four postal facilities in the Seventh 
Congressional District of Illinois. The four persons who I seek to name 
these postal facilities after have a long history of being servants, 
activists heroes and heroines in their respective communities. In fact, 
the first person the Honorable Cardiss Collins is a former Member of 
Congress and she served as ranking member of the Government Reform 
Committee before she retired in 1996. She represented the residents of 
the Seventh Congressional District for 23\1/2\ years.
  Cardiss Collins established herself as a real advocate for Airline 
Safety, protection of children, gender equity in College athletics, 
women's health, establishment of the Office of Minority Health in HHS 
and has the distinction of being the longest serving African American 
female to serve in the House of Representatives.
  In 1991, she wrote the law which extends Medicare Coverage for 
mammography screening, thereby, allowing millions of elderly and 
disabled women to receive this vital service. She was successful in 
praising legislation which expanded Medicaid coverage for pap smears in 
order to better provide for the early detection of cervical uterine 
cancers.
  In 1979, Congresswoman Collins served as Chairperson for the 
Congressional Black Caucus and was the first African American woman to 
serve as a Democratic Whip at-large.
  The second postal facility is named after Otis Grant Collins, who 
prior to his death in 1992, was recognized as one of the premier 
activists in apprenticeship training in this country. In addition, 
while serving as a State Representative in the Illinois General 
Assembly he was a champion of laws that protected minority communities 
from redlining.
  The third postal facility is named after Mary Alice ``Ma'' Henry, who 
prior to her death in 1995, was recognized as one of Chicago's most 
caring and compassionate community activists. She is remembered as a 
courageous leader for the poor, uninsured and left out of our society. 
In 1976, the Mary Alice ``Ma'' Henry Family Health Center was dedicated 
and now serves over 20,000 patients every year.
  The fourth postal facility is named after former State Representative 
Robert LeFlore, Jr. who prior to his death in 1993, was recognized as a 
leading advocate for the disadvantaged and underprivileged. He was a 
tireless worker, on behalf of seniors and children and his 
contributions will be remembered a long time.
  These individuals represent the best of Chicago and the nation. Their 
contributions have been significant and their legacies have been 
embedded in the communities they touched. Therefore, I am pleased to 
sponsor this bill on behalf of some of the greatest leaders in the 
African American community.

                          ____________________