[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 27, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H5202-H5205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FLOYD H. FLAKE FEDERAL BUILDING

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3323) to designate the Federal building located at 158-15 
Liberty Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, New York, as the ``Floyd H. Flake 
Federal Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3323

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

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The Federal building located at 158-15 Liberty Avenue in 
     Jamaica, Queens, New York, shall be known and designated as 
     the ``Floyd H. Flake 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 reference to 
     the ``Floyd H. Flake Federal Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia 
(Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3323 designates the FDA facility in Jamaica, 
Queens, New York, as the Floyd H. Flake Federal Building. This is a 
leased facility and the building owners have expressed their strong 
support for this action.
  Floyd Flake was born in Los Angeles, California, one of 13 children 
to parents with elementary school educations. He grew up in Houston, 
attending local schools. Congressman Flake earned his Bachelor of Arts 
degree from Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio, the first 
black college in America, founded in 1856. This university was founded 
by the African Methodist Episcopal Church and was named for the English 
statesman and abolitionist James Wilberforce.

                              {time}  1300

  Dr. Flake went on to attend Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce 
before attending Northeastern University and St. Johns University in 
Queens, New York.
  Reverend Dr. Flake has been the pastor of the Allen A.M.E. Church in 
Jamaica, New York, since 1976. He is the founder of the Allen Housing 
Development Fund Corporation, the Allen Christian School and Multi-
purpose Center, the Allen Home Care Agency, Allen Housing Corporation, 
Allen Neighborhood Preservation and Development Corporation, and a 
member of the NAACP.
  Dr. Flake was elected to the 100th Congress and served until his 
retirement in the 105th Congress. Dr. Flake retired from the Congress 
to return to his Church, which is 10,000 members strong.
  When Dr. Flake was in Congress, he was a staunch advocate for 
policies to revitalize blighted urban and residential communities. His 
bipartisan nature commanded the respect from Members on both sides of 
the aisle of this House. He is certainly missed in the House.
  This is a fitting tribute to a former Member of Congress. I support 
the bill, and encourage my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with special and personal pleasure that I rise in 
support

[[Page H5203]]

of this legislation. H.R. 3323 would designate the new FDA laboratory 
located in Jamaica, Queens, New York, in honor of our former colleague 
and Member, Floyd Flake.
  This facility is the product of many years of hard work by our former 
colleague. He worked with the General Services Administration, the Food 
and Drug Administration, the city of New York, the State of New York, 
the New York City University system, and countless local officials to 
finally bring this idea to fruition. Reverend Flake is well known for 
his tenacity.
  Floyd Flake is a firm and dedicated believer in the power of 
community and the benefits of community development. His legislative 
accomplishments, built on the principle of a positive Federal role in 
urban revitalization, include the Bank Enterprise Act of the Community 
Development Financial Institutions Act of 1993. This act provides 
incentives for financial institutions to make market-oriented 
investments in destabilized urban and rural communities.
  Reverend Flake truly lives what he preaches, and has devoted himself 
to the Allen A.M.E. Church in New York. His works have made the church 
one of the most productive religious and social service organizations 
in the country. It is most fitting and proper to honor his work on the 
FDA lab by designating the facility as the Floyd H. Flake Federal 
Building.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the 
gentlewoman for yielding time to me. Let me also thank the leaders of 
the committee for bringing forth this legislation, and the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Meeks) for sponsoring the bill to designate the 
Floyd Flake Federal Building in Jamaica, Queens, New York.
  Throughout Reverend Flake's life, he has been the personification of 
the greatest traditions of America. He has consistently fought to 
empower each person in this country, and ensure that everyone had the 
tools to pursue the American dream. Designation of the Federal building 
in his former district as the Floyd H. Flake Federal Building would be 
a fitting tribute to his work in that area here in the House, and his 
tireless activism since he has returned home.
  In Congress, Reverend Flake represented the Sixth Congressional 
District from 1986 until his retirement in 1997. He fought fearlessly 
to establish programs and craft legislation designed to revitalize 
urban areas. He was an innovator, frequently reaching across party 
lines to solve problems. One of his initiatives, the Bank Enterprise 
Act, has resulted in millions of dollars of investment for both urban 
and rural economies.
  The language in the Bank Enterprise Act, which became law through the 
Community Development Financial Institutions Act, is the catalyst for 
investments which have led to residential development and commercial 
growth. It has also increased private sector commitment to aid the 
economies of traditionally neglected areas.
  Through his work, Congressman Flake helped to make certain that all 
segments of our society feel the benefits of our unprecedented economic 
expansion.
  Since his retirement, Reverend Flake has charted new territory 
regarding community activism and civic responsibility. As pastor of the 
Allen A.M.E. Church in Queens, he has led a revolution in church-based 
nonprofit activity. His $24 million operation is a national model and 
has helped to revitalize his community. Following his example, 
countless churches around the country have restructured their 
operations and reached new levels of efficiency and effectiveness.
  As leader, he has directly and indirectly helped thousands of 
Americans have a legitimate chance to compete in our global 
marketplace.
  Mr. Speaker, there is perhaps no other American as worthy of this 
honor as former Representative Reverend Floyd H. Flake. By bestowing 
this designation on the Queens Federal Building, this Congress will 
help to show the world that America places a premium on the values of 
leadership, determination, and innovation with high moral standards. I 
strongly support this resolution, and urge my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, might I thank the 
distinguished gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), 
both for her leadership and her guiding of this legislation, and 
likewise the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman LaTourette) for his guidance 
of some of the sometimes very special tributes made to individuals by 
way of acknowledging them in their community.
  I would also like to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) 
of the Sixth District of New York for spearheading this legislation as 
well.
  Mr. Speaker, in the next couple of days thousands of members of the 
A.M.E. Church will gather in Cincinnati, Ohio. I would imagine that Dr. 
Flake will be joining them, as he is a well-respected Member of that 
august body, and one of their shining stars, he was one of the 
Congress' shining stars as well.
  He wears many hats, and I am delighted to rise to the floor of the 
House to support this legislation to name the new FDA laboratory 
located in Jamaica, New York, after Dr. Floyd Flake, and to acknowledge 
his partner in life, Mrs. Flake, who stands alongside of him as a 
visionary that has provided great insight and opportunity for the 
citizens of the Sixth Congressional District and surrounding areas.
  I have a special role in rising today because I happen to have the 
privilege of representing Dr. Flake's relatives in Acres Home, Texas, 
located in the 18th Congressional District in Houston, Texas. It has 
been a remarkable journey for Dr. Flake as he has traveled from Acres 
Home, Texas, of which he speaks fondly, of a very strong family 
upbringing, but yet, a very humble upbringing. He has been an 
inspiration for the young people of the Acres Home area and the Houston 
area, as well, as they have watched him ascend to the very high offices 
of government.
  Yes, he is a graduate of the Wilberforce College, the Payne 
Theological Seminary, and attended St. Johns University, and, as well, 
the pastoral leader of the A.M.E. Church that has helped to promote 
housing and education in the community, but he also has been a mentor 
to many in the ministerial community and the religious community, 
because it was his vision that indicated or at least advocated for 
faith-based participation, to be able to collaborate with government 
where government was not taking over the church or the religious 
institution, but that they were working for the greater good.
  Since his advocacy in this Congress, we have looked at ways that 
faith-based institutions can work on children's violence issues, can 
work on welfare-to-work, can work on education in the way that we have 
the separation of church and State.
  Let me close by also acknowledging that he has made a great impact on 
individuals in Texas even though he is honored and claimed by New York, 
and has done great work there. I might note that State Representative 
Sylvester Turner, who grew up in Acres Home, who looked to Congressman 
Floyd Flake as a leader and role model for him, he now stands as one of 
the outstanding leaders in the State of Texas.
  Dr. Flake practiced what he preached, so this is an appropriate honor 
for him. I am very proud to stand on the floor of the House and to have 
counted him as one of my colleagues, having served with him in the 
early part of my tenure in this Congress, and to thank him for his 
strong support of legislation such as the Community Reinvestment Act, 
that has made the lives of all Americans much better. Who better to 
deserve this honor?
  I applaud him and his family and the great works he continues to do 
in the State of New York in the area of Jamaica, but as well, in the 
Nation that we call America. He is a great American and he is a 
national treasure.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3323, a bill that will 
designate the federal building located in Jamaica, Queens, New

[[Page H5204]]

York, as the ``Floyd H. Flake Federal Building.'' Sadly, it was not too 
long ago that Rev. Flake served along side this body, but undoubtedly 
he made a lasting impression on us all as well as the Nation.
  Congressman Flake was born in Los Angeles on January 30, 1945, and 
came to my home district of Houston, TX, to attend public school. After 
growing up in the great State of Texas, he studied at Wilberforce 
University in Ohio, and earned his BA. He continued to broaden his 
education and graduated from Payne Theological Seminary and 
Northeastern University. In 1994, he earned his doctorate of ministry 
degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH.
  Congressman Flake evolved from student to educator, serving as dean 
of students and university chaplain at Boston University in 1976 and 
served as the director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Afro-American 
Center at Boston University from 1973 to 1976. From 1970 to 1973, he 
served as the associate dean of students, director of student 
activities at Lincoln University. Thereafter, he moved to business, and 
served as a market analyst for Xerox and as a sales representative for 
Reynolds Tobacco Co. In addition, Rev. Flake served as a social worker 
for an early child development/Head Start program.
  Mr. Speaker, Congressman Flake lent his talents and energy to other 
activities important to our Nation. Legislatively, he is remembered for 
his work on the Committee on Banking and Financial Services and 
increasing investment opportunities for underserved communities through 
the Bank Enterprise Act and the Reform of the Community Reinvestment 
Act. In addition, Rev. Flake is remembered by many of us for his 
initiatives to revitalize urban commercial and residential communities.
  After retiring from Congress, Rev. Floyd has remained active by 
developing the Allen A.M.E. Church in Jamaica, Queens. During his 23 
years as Pastor there, the church has grown to include some 12,000 
members, an annual budget of $27 million, expansive commercial and 
residential development, a 500-student private school and is regarded 
as one of the Nation's foremost Christian churches and non-profit 
corporations. Also, the church has created local jobs, affordable 
homes, schools and multiservice centers that provide health care for 
the surrounding district.
  Floyd Flake served in the House with honor, with sincerity, and with 
unwavering commitment to his district as well as our Nation. He was a 
model of excellence to all of us in this body, and for over a decade, 
he fulfilled a calling to public service with passion and nobility.
  As a result, I can think of no better reason than to honor Floyd 
Flake by renaming the federal building in Jamaica, queens. Throughout, 
his service in his public, personal and congressional career Rev. Flake 
remained dedicated to improving the lives of the residents of Jamaica, 
Queens. Today, Rev. Flake continues to leave a lasting imprint on this 
community and our Nation.
  In closing, again Mr. Speaker I urge all my colleagues to unanimously 
adopt this bill and rename this federal building in honor of a truly 
dedicated and great public servant, Reverend Floyd Flake.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, it gives me special pleasure to yield such 
time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), the 
primary sponsor of the bill before us.
  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding time to me.
  Mr. Speaker, let me also thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Chairman Shuster) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota 
(Mr. Oberstar) from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
for bringing this bill to the floor.
  The consideration of this legislation is most timely, as Reverend 
Flake and I recently cut the ribbon to open the newly constructed Food 
and Drug Administration facility on the campus of York College in 
Jamaica, New York.
  What can I say about my friend and predecessor, the Reverend Dr. 
Floyd H. Flake? His name has become synonymous with economic 
development in the Sixth Congressional District and throughout this 
country.
  Congressman Flake ran for Congress in 1986 during a special election 
to replace the recently deceased, and a strong member of this body, 
Joseph P. Addabbo. Though he narrowly lost the special election in 
June, he continued campaigning with the exuberance and charisma that is 
his trademark and won an overwhelming victory in the fall.
  Many new and previously disenfranchised individuals were attracted to 
Reverend Flake's campaign by the economic development projects that he 
had initiated since becoming the pastor of the Allen A.M.E. Episcopal 
Church in Jamaica, Queens, and through his ministry that emphasizes 
self-improvement and community development.
  Since Floyd Flake became the pastor of Allen A.M.E. over 22 years 
ago, the church has developed a school with over 500 students, 
extensive commercial and residential development, including private 
homes and senior quarters, a multi-service facility, and a 
transportation company. The various enterprises at Allen A.M.E. 
comprise a workforce of over 800, people making it one of the largest 
private sector employers in the county of Queens.
  As Congressman, Floyd H. Flake fulfilled the wishes of his 
constituents by bringing his community development expertise to 
Washington. He was a bipartisan legislator who focused on initiatives 
to revitalize urban neighborhoods.
  One of his most notable legislative accomplishments included the 
provisions of the Community Development Financial Institutions Act of 
1993, known as the Bank Enterprise Act. The Bank Enterprise Act 
provided incentives for financial institutions to make market-oriented 
investments in destabilized urban and rural economies. The Bank 
Enterprise Act has directly impacted the volume of residential 
mortgages and commercial lending in traditionally underserved areas in 
America.
  The Sixth Congressional District benefited from his legislative and 
political acumen as Reverend Flake secured a one-stop capital shop to 
provide counseling for start-up and fledgling small businesses, funds 
for the improvement of National Gateway Park, and Hope 6 funds to 
greatly improve social and economic conditions in selected New York 
City public housing complexes and throughout America.
  Consistent with his reputation for bricks and mortar development 
through his church, Floyd used his legislative position to deftly 
advocate to have the new sites for the Federal Aviation Administration 
and the Food and Drug Administration located in the Sixth Congressional 
District in Queens, which will create more jobs and economic spin-off 
for the district.
  As the rest of the Sixth Congressional District in New York, I have 
benefited from Floyd's experience and his accomplishments. As the 
pastor of Allen A.M.E., he has also given spiritual upliftment to me, 
to my family, and to those within the Sixth Congressional District.
  Let me finally say that too often we have great individuals in our 
midst and we wait until they are long gone, until they are dead and 
buried, before we acknowledge their accomplishments. They never know of 
the appreciation of the individuals who receive the benefits of their 
greatness.
  I think that it is only appropriate that we allow one to smell the 
flowers, if you will, as they still walk on this great Earth. We surely 
want to give appreciation to the Dr. Reverend Floyd H. Flake for his 
continued support and commitment to making life better for his 
community and for all of Americans.
  I want to thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. 
Norton) for supporting this measure.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to support H.R. 
3323 and honor a former colleague and friend, Rev. Floyd Flake. Rev. 
Flake honorably served the people of the 6th District of New York for 
over a decade.
  It was a great pleasure to meet Floyd Flake my first year in Congress 
and to learn of his abiding interest in community renewal. We began 
working together that year on the American Community Renewal Act--which 
will be reaching the House floor next month. During the drafting of the 
American Community Renewal Act and our subsequent tours of towns and 
cities across the nation to learn from local folks what works and what 
doesn't, I had the opportunity to visit Rev. Flake's church, the Allen 
African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jamaica, Queens, New York, and I 
can tell you that Floyd Flake walks the walk.
  Under his inspired and inspiring leadership, that congregation had 
come together and built housing, small business opportunities, 
counseling centers, and a school where the children in the neighborhood 
actually got an education--a living thriving, vibrant community where 
neighbor cares about neighbor and God is part of your life.

[[Page H5205]]

  Since the Constitution won't allow us to rename the entire city of 
Jamaica, New York, after my good friend Floyd Flake, I am delighted to 
rise in support of this measure to honor him in this meaningful way. I 
urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3323 and show our great respect for 
our former colleague Floyd Flake.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1315

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3323.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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