[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 91 (Friday, July 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1242-E1243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   J.L. DAWKINS POST OFFICE BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2000

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4658, a bill to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
301 Green Street in Fayetteville, North Carolina, as the J.L. Dawkins 
Post Office Building. I appreciate the opportunity to remember Mr. 
Dawkins' life and legacy.
  Today we pay tribute to a remarkable public servant and family man 
Mayor J.L. Dawkins. Fayetteville's ``Mayor for Life'' was born in 1935 
and lived almost his entire life in and around the city he so proudly 
served. In 1975, Mr. Dawkins was elected to his first term on the 
Fayetteville City Council. After holding this position for 12 years, 
Mr. Dawkins ran for and was elected Mayor in 1987 and served honorably 
until his passing earlier this year.
  Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to J.L. Dawkins the public servant by 
remembering his record as Mayor and a member of the City Council, but I 
also remember him as a dear friend who cared about the people he 
served. When I visited Fayetteville schools during my tenure as State 
Superintendent, J.L. Dawkins was always present and engaged--because he 
cared. He cared about the children of Fayetteville. He cared about 
their well-being and their future. Mr. Dawkins also supported local law 
enforcement because he knew it would improve safety in Fayetteville's 
schools and in

[[Page E1243]]

the community as a whole. He supported Fayetteville's law enforcement 
community because he cared.
  Mr. Dawkin's passing has left a great void in the Fayetteville 
community. Despite our sorrow and loss, we have the opportunity today 
to celebrate the life and legacy of an exemplary public servant. It is 
fitting then that we honor him today by naming a post office for J.L. 
Dawkins in Fayetteville. Mr. Dawkins cared deeply for his city, the 
constituents he served, and most importantly his family. H.R. 4658 
ensures that Mr. Dawkins will forever be remembered for these traits.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support this 
legislation.

                          ____________________