[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 18, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H6384-H6386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MATTHEW ``MACK'' ROBINSON POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4157) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 600 Lincoln Avenue in Pasadena, California, as the 
``Matthew `Mack' Robinson Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4157

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

     SECTION 1. MATTHEW `MACK' ROBINSON POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 600 Lincoln Avenue in Pasadena, 
     California, shall be known and designated as the ``Matthew 
     `Mack' Robinson Post Office Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the ``Matthew `Mack' Robinson Post Office 
     Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. McHugh) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).


                             General Leave

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on this legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the true privileges and frankly more enjoyable 
aspects of serving as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Postal 
Service is the opportunity that it provides I would hope all of us, but 
certainly, speaking on my own behalf, provides me to learn.
  I think I am rather typical in terms of the average American who has 
heard many times over in his or her life about such great athletes as 
Jesse Owens, and as one of the giants of baseball, we have heard of 
Jackie Robinson. But I must confess, until very recently, I was not as 
familiar with a second Robinson, a gentleman by the name of Matthew 
``Mack'' Robinson.
  We have heard, of course, about the achievements of people such as 
those I have just mentioned. When we talk about Jackie Robinson, we 
talk about history. When we talk about ``Mack'' Robinson, we talk a bit 
less about history but a great deal about what made this country great, 
what made it special. That is simply through the contributions of 
people like ``Mack'' Robinson.
  I would say that when it comes to achievements of athleticism, 
``Mack'' has to take a back seat to very few people. He was a 
participant, along

[[Page H6385]]

with his younger brother, Jackie Robinson, and others with the 1936 
Olympic team in that infamous event in Berlin. But beyond that, after 
returning home, he has achieved what I think is a very, very remarkable 
record of service to his community through his volunteer help and, 
perhaps even more importantly, through his character and through his 
leadership in leading the community of Pasadena from segregation to 
unification.
  As I have had the opportunity, as I mentioned, to learn about 
``Mack'' Robinson, I have learned how he served his community, how he 
cared about his neighbors. He became involved not for power or glory, 
certainly not for money, but because he cared about others and wanted 
to make today better than yesterday and hopefully tomorrow better than 
today. That is the kind of life I believe we can all learn a great deal 
from. That is the kind of inspiration we can all draw a great deal 
from.
  The city of Pasadena just recently honored both ``Mack'' and Jackie 
Robinson by constructing a monument to them near City Hall. I think we 
owe our thanks to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan) for 
bringing us Mack's name as a fitting follow-on to that celebration and 
that honor in Pasadena by seeking to name the Matthew ``Mack'' Robinson 
Post Office Building.
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan) I would say worked very 
hard to achieve what we have always strived for here, and that is 
bipartisanship in reaching out to his fellow delegates within the 
California delegation. We have tried to work with him to bring us to 
this floor today in a position to enact a piece of legislation that is 
a fitting tribute to a very, very fitting individual.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in relationship to H.R. 4157, a piece of 
legislation to honor Matthew Robinson with the naming of a Post Office 
in Pasadena, California.
  I would like to first of all indicate that unlike all of the other 
bills that we have brought before this House during my time as the 
ranking member on the Subcommittee on Postal Service, this bill 
apparently as of yet does not have all of the cosponsorships that we 
would require.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FATTAH. I yield to the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding to me.
  I think it is important for it to be pointed out, Mr. Speaker, that 
we have passed in this year alone 53 of these bills. During the time 
the gentleman and I have served together, we are in the several 
hundreds, if not more, and it is a hard record to keep track of.
  But we have indeed passed, both through the committee and through 
this House, pieces of legislation naming Post Offices that have not 
carried full State delegation sponsorship.
  It is the policy of the committee to request that. In fact, that is a 
policy that I asked for when 6 years ago I became chairman, and I went 
to then full committee chairman Bill Clinger and suggested we were in 
need of a way by which we could have a second check, if you will, on 
the fitness of each of the candidates.
  Along with Cardiss Collins, who was then the ranking member on the 
full committee, and Barbara Rose Collins, the ranking member on the 
subcommittee, we agreed that that would be not a rule but a policy.
  When it has happened, as it has happened in the past, where Members 
have made a legitimate effort to secure full State delegation 
sponsorship and have been unable to, we have gone to those who have 
withheld their cosponsorship and tried to ascertain if it was related 
directly to the merits of the nominee, and where it was not, without 
that full State delegation sponsorship, we have passed the bills in any 
event. This was a process to check on the fitness of the nominees.
  In fact, after the gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan) came to us 
and in this case showed us documentation where he had reached out 
through his staff to each member of the California delegation on five 
separate occasions, I then wrote to each member of the California 
delegation who had not yet cosponsored his bill and asked if it was in 
relationship to the fitness of the nominee, because if it was, that is 
an important thing for us to know.
  We have not heard back from all of them, but those we have heard from 
have all said that, no, it has nothing to do with the fitness of the 
nominee. That is frankly the only thing I am concerned about.
  Mr. FATTAH. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, let me thank the 
gentleman from New York for illuminating the Record. Let me continue 
with my statement.
  I think that this House should not be mired down in a foolish 
consistency on these types of policies, especially when it relates to a 
gentleman like Matthew Robinson, who has been an extraordinary citizen 
of our country and who has faced many obstructions.
  Not only was he an Olympic athlete, and it is true that we could 
recount all of the facets of his life, but one I want to point to in 
speaking in relationship to H.R. 4157 is that it is true that the city 
of Pasadena just honored both Matthew and his brother, Jackie Robinson, 
but it is also true that when he returned to that city to work there in 
the city, he was fired at a time when all African-American employees 
were fired by the city of Pasadena as part of litigation related to 
desegregation and other matters taking place in California at that 
time.
  I do not think that this House would serve itself well to delay this 
legislation as a result of the inability of the sponsor to get all of 
the i's dotted and t's crossed. I think what is most important is that 
this is someone who deserves this honor, and that we should move with 
haste to honor him in this respect.
  I rise therefore in support of this legislation, and would hope that 
before it becomes a finality through this process, that there will be a 
time in which the entire delegation will have the opportunity to be 
cosponsors.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate, as always, the bipartisan support and 
contributions of the ranking member. I mentioned 53 Post Office naming 
bills we have acted on, through these four before us this week. That is 
53. Twenty-three of those were sponsored by Republicans and 30 were 
sponsored by the minority and Democrats, so that bipartisanship has I 
think been very clearly demonstrated. I think it is an important part 
of our work and it certainly should continue.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan), who, as I said, has brought us 
this very distinguished nominee here today, and who has put a lot of 
work into reaching this point on the floor, for which I commend him on 
both counts.
  Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, first I thank my good friend, the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. McHugh), the distinguished subcommittee chairman, 
not only for his incredible help on this bill, but for the leadership 
he has shown. I know I speak for the Robinson family in thanking the 
gentleman for helping us to make this day a reality.
  I also thank the distinguished ranking member, my good friend, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah) for his support of this bill, 
I know I speak for the Robinson family in thanking the gentleman for 
helping to bring a broad bipartisan flavor to this day.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues from across the United 
States to recognize a great Pasadena resident and public figure, Mack 
Robinson. Today we salute Mack on what would have been his 86th 
birthday, and we join together to pass legislation in his honor to name 
the historic Post Office in Pasadena after him.
  What made Mack worthy of this recognition is not just one feat. It is 
not just his medal-winning performance in the 1936 Olympics or his 
accomplishments as a student athlete or his public service in the 
community.

                              {time}  1200

  What made Mack worthy of this great honor is the combination of all 
of these qualities, which, until the time of his passing earlier this 
year, were unknown to many outside of his hometown of Pasadena.

[[Page H6386]]

  Mack's story is so inspiring. From humble beginnings, Mack became a 
respected community leader who influenced young people's lives.
  Mack's reputation as a local track star piqued the interest of 
Olympic organizers. Over 60 years ago, Mack, along with another Olympic 
great, Jesse Owens, traveled to Berlin to compete in the 1936 games. In 
competition, it was reported that Mack's skill and technical ability on 
the track was so pure that he thought nothing of wearing the same track 
shoes that he wore in competition in Pasadena to compete in the Olympic 
village against the world's best and to win.
  Mack earned his silver medal in that competition, with Jesse Owens 
winning the gold medal. Both of these great American Olympians 
portrayed a powerful image of freedom in the midst of a hostile and 
fascist Nazi Germany. Mack returned home to begin working in Pasadena 
as a city employee, and he also cared for his mother and for his 
family.
  Mack eventually lost his job with the City, Mr. Speaker. As the New 
York Times later reported, Pasadena's African-American city employees 
were summarily fired in a desegregation battle when a judge opened the 
public pools and other facilities to all city residents.
  Showing the same determination that carried him to triumph on the 
track, Mack never flagged. He channeled his energy and commitment back 
to his own neighborhood and to others throughout the city. He became a 
well-respected and widely known community figure, as well as an 
internationally recognized athlete. Mack volunteered countless 
thousands upon thousands of hours in gymnasiums, boys and girls clubs 
and after-school programs throughout the area.
  Mack's work product today is proudly on display in thousands of homes 
and businesses. It is found in the inspired generations of youngsters 
that Mack touched and helped to get involved in school, sports and 
their community. His efforts fostered their success.
  Fifty years after Mack competed in the Berlin Olympics, Mr. Speaker, 
I had the privilege of meeting him and his wife in their home one day. 
It was about 15 years ago.
  I was a young deputy district attorney working in the Pasadena 
courthouse, and Mack was helping me on a community issue. I went to 
visit him in his home along with four or five police officers and a 
couple of deputy district attorneys. He and his family were very 
gracious to us. They spent a lot of time with us.
  When it was time to go, I asked Mack if he had any pictures of 
himself because I wanted him to autograph one. Well, I was teased 
mercilessly by the police officers and senior district attorneys with 
me for asking for an autograph. I was told that was a childish request.
  When Mack's lovely wife, Del, said ``I think we have some pictures 
left over from the Olympics,'' every one of those police officers and 
senior prosecutors almost knocked me over to get in line at the kitchen 
table to get their signed picture from Mack first!
  I still have that picture, Mr. Speaker, and I will cherish that 
photograph Mack gave me 15 years ago as I know one day my children and 
grandchildren will cherish it.
  Not long ago, the City of Pasadena saluted the contributions of Mack 
and his brother Jackie. The City erected a monument in City Hall in 
tribute to these two great figures that hailed from the City of Roses. 
That was a fitting tribute to the Robinson family.
  Today, the United States House of Representatives will honor the 
contributions of Mack Robinson, both to Pasadena and to his country, by 
naming a very public building after a man whose life was spent serving 
the public. It is a small way for us to thank one of Pasadena's great 
sons.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I thank the distinguished gentleman from New 
York (Mr. McHugh) for yielding to me, and I thank the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), the ranking member, for his support.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, let me in conclusion just say that, as is the case too 
often, there is an irony in the life of the gentleman who we honor. 
Matthew Mack Robinson, who represented this country in Hitler's Berlin 
at the Olympics as an African American, came home to this country and 
his home city, working as a City employee, was fired summarily with 
every other African American who worked for the City at that time. 
Things have changed, because time and effort and circumstances have 
helped bring a more enlightened leadership to our Nation. In many ways, 
the same doors that opened for his brother Jackie Robinson in some 
respects opened for Matthew Robinson.
  But the City of Pasadena has seen fit to honor him with a statute 
along with his brother, and, in some ways, that perhaps makes some 
amends for the travesty of justice that he was subjected to. But, 
nonetheless, his life, moving from Georgia to California, starting out 
in a technical high school, on to a junior college, and after the 
Olympics, to the University of Oregon, his work as a community leader 
and as a public-spirited citizen, it is fitting that this Congress 
honor him through this legislation.
  I ask that all of my colleagues support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to associate myself with the remarks of 
the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), the ranking member.
  We have, as I tried to indicate in my remarks on this proposal and by 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan), an amazing story that in so 
many ways was a quiet story and yet in equal ways is one that screams 
to us about what was wrong in terms of this country's direction and 
what one person can do through dedication and through caring to make it 
better.
  I think that all of us can stand here and support this very, very 
worthy nominee and this very, very worthy proposal.
  I am honored to join with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Fattah), the gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan), and others in 
urging its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Quinn). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4157.
  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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