[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 156 (Monday, November 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2293]]



               POST OFFICE NAMING IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 5, 1999

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce this bill to 
designate five United States Postal Service buildings after five 
individuals who made significant contributions to Baltimore and the 
State of Maryland.
  I believe that persons who have made meaningful contributions to 
society should be recognized and honored. The naming of a postal 
building in one's honor is truly a salute to their accomplishments and 
public service. These individuals are Samuel Lacy, Judge Robert Bernard 
Watts, Judge Harry Augustus Cole, Frederick Dewberry, Jr., and Flossie 
McClain Desmond.
  I will give a brief biographical description of the individuals and 
the locations of the post office being named.
  The ``Samuel H. Lacy, Sr. Post Office Building'' will be located at 
919 West 34th Street, Baltimore, Maryland.
  Samuel H. Lacy was a renowned sports writer and editor for the 
Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper since 1944. He spent 60 years in 
journalism, working with radio, television, and the print media.
  The ``Judge Robert Bernard Watts, Sr. Post Office Building'' will be 
located at 3500 Dolfield Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland.
  Judge Robert Bernard Watts, Sr. was the first African-American to be 
appointed full time to the Bench of the Municipal Court of Baltimore 
City. Judge Watts, who was born in West Baltimore, graduated with 
honors from Morgan State College in 1943 and then served in the Army 
until 1945. He earned a law degree from the University of Maryland in 
1949. Judge Watts was at the center of the Civil Rights Movement and 
worked closely with the NAACP. His dedication to civil rights led him 
to a long working relationship with the late Justice Thurgood Marshall. 
Judge Watts was instrumental in desegregating numerous theaters, 
restaurants, department stores, hotels and the Gwynn Oak Amusement 
Park. Watts was the first judge in Maryland to open hundreds of 
adoption records reuniting numerous families.
  The ``Judge Harry Augustus Cole Post Office Building'' will be 
located at 900 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland.
  Judge Harry Augustus Cole was the first African American Assistant 
Attorney General in Baltimore City, the first African American to be 
elected to the State Senate of Maryland, the first Chairman of the 
Maryland Advisory Committee to the United States Civil Rights 
Commission, and the first African American to be named to Maryland's 
highest court, the Maryland Court of Appeals. Educated in the Baltimore 
City Public School System, Judge Cole graduated from Morgan State 
University in 1943. While at Morgan, he was the President of the 
Student Council, and Founder and first Editor-in-Chief of the Spokesman 
College Newspaper. A World War II veteran, Judge Cole graduated from 
the University of Maryland School of Law and practiced criminal and 
civil rights law.
  The ``Frederick L. Dewberry, Jr. Post Office Building'' will be 
located at 1001 Frederick Road, in Baltimore, Maryland.
  Frederick L. Dewberry, Jr. was born and raised in Baltimore City. He 
is a graduate of Loyola College and received a law degree from the 
University of Baltimore. A World War II veteran, Mr. Dewberry held the 
post of Chairman of the Baltimore County Council from 1964 to 1966. 
From 1979 to 1984, Frederick Dewberry was the Deputy Secretary of the 
Maryland Department of Transportation.
  The ``Dr. Flossie McClain Desmond Post Office Building'' will be 
located at 1908 North Ellamont Street, in Baltimore, Maryland.
  Dr. Flossie McClain Desmond earned a bachelor's degree in English 
from Fisk University, received a Master's degree from Columbia 
University and pursued post graduate studies at Ohio State University 
and Catholic University of America. She served in teaching and 
administrative positions at Allen University, Benedict College, 
Knoxville College, Morgan State University, and Coppin State College. 
Dr. Desmond spent 31 years working at Coppin State College, where she 
served in numerous roles. Upon her retirement, the honor of ``Dean 
Emeritus'' was bestowed upon her. In 1993, Coppin's first residence 
hall was named after her and is called, `The Flossie M. Desmond Center 
For Living and Learning.' A talented musician, Dr. Desmond composed the 
Alma Mater for Allen University and the song is still in use today.
  Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer of all time once said that ``service 
to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.'' Samuel 
Lacy, Judge Robert Bernard Watts, Judge Harry Augustus Cole, Frederick 
Dewberry, Jr., and Flossie McClain Desmond have paid their rent. I am 
honored to submit this legislation saluting five people from my 
district who spent their lives giving service to others.
  I urge my colleagues to support this worthwhile measure.

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