[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 4, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6012-H6015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             {time}   1515
JOSEPH CURSEEN, JR. AND THOMAS MORRIS, JR. PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION 
                                 CENTER

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3287) to redesignate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 900 Brentwood Road, NE, in Washington, D.C., 
as the ``Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr. Processing and 
Distribution Center''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3287

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

     SECTION 1. JOSEPH CURSEEN, JR. AND THOMAS MORRIS, JR. 
                   PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER.

       (a) Redesignation.--The facility of the United States 
     Postal Service located at 900 Brentwood Road, NE, in 
     Washington, D.C., and known as the Brentwood Processing and 
     Distribution Center, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr. Processing and 
     Distribution Center''.
       (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 Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr. 
     Processing and Distribution Center.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentlewoman from the 
District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).


                             General Leave

   Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H.R. 3287, the bill presently under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3287, introduced by the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Wynn), our distinguished colleague, designates the Brentwood 
Processing and Distribution Center in Washington, D.C., as the Joseph 
Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr., Processing and Distribution 
Center. I am very proud to have my name as a cosponsor and original 
sponsor of this bill also.
   Mr. Speaker, today we honor two public servants who died in the line 
of duty. Thomas Morris and Joseph Curseen did not know when they 
reported to the Brentwood Processing and Distribution Center last 
October that they were on the front lines of the war against terrorism. 
But they were struck down by anthrax which infected the facility when 
an anonymous terrorist sent envelopes containing spores to Washington.
   Both had distinguished careers at the Brentwood Road facility. 
Curseen began his career with the postal service in 1985 as a letter-
sorting machine operator. Morris, an Air Force veteran, began work at 
the facility in 1973. Both men were born and raised in Washington, 
D.C., and their deaths shocked the Washington area, the postal 
community, and the entire Nation. It is fitting to name the building 
where they served their country after these two distinguished public 
servants. And so, Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of H.R. 3287.
   Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as we approach the 1-year period following the attacks 
on our country, I rise to support a bill of special significance to 
honor two native sons of the District of Columbia

[[Page H6013]]

who as public servants gave their lives while serving this city, this 
region, and this country. H.R. 3287 would redesignate the United States 
Postal Service facility located at 900 Brentwood Road, Northeast, in 
Washington, D.C. as the Joseph Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr., 
Processing and Distribution Center.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn), who 
represents the district where Joseph Curseen and Thomas Morris resided, 
for his leadership in introducing H.R. 3287, and the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil 
Service, Census and Agency Organization, who is also my colleague on 
the subcommittee, for his hard work in bringing this bill to the floor 
and for generously deferring to me to manage the bill. I am proud to be 
an original cosponsor of H.R. 3287.
  This month our Nation is struggling for ways to reflect upon and 
appropriately commemorate the tragic events that began with the attack 
on September 11, 2001. Today we remember October 21 and October 22, 
2001, because on these consecutive days, we lost two brave men to the 
anthrax attack on our country.
  Joseph Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr., were both family men and 
pillars of their communities. They were known for their dedicated hard 
work on the job as postal employees whose colleagues have still not 
forgotten them. They were loved by their families, who still deeply 
miss them. We are pleased that Celeste Curseen and Mary Morris, the 
widows of the two men, are in the gallery today.


                Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

   The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will remind Members that they may 
not refer to individuals in the gallery.
  Ms. NORTON. Many of us will always remember Joseph Curseen and Thomas 
Morris as Washingtonians because it is in this city that they were born 
and raised and received the values and the work ethic for which they 
are so fondly remembered.
  Joseph Curseen, Jr., was born in Washington, D.C. in 1954. He 
graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grammar School in Southeast 
Washington and then went on to graduate from Gonzaga High School and 
Marquette University. Beginning in 1985, Mr. Curseen was a letter-
sorting machine operator in the U.S. Postal Service, working evenings 
at the Brentwood Road facility on machines that processed government 
mail. Not once in those 15 years did Joseph Curseen miss a day of work.
  Mr. Curseen was a man of faith who never left his home church here in 
the District. He led a bible study group at work and was a Eucharistic 
Minister at our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church until his 
death.
  Mr. Curseen was not only dedicated to his work, but also to his 
community, where he served as president of his local homeowners' 
association. He instituted a neighborhood watch program and assisted in 
building a playground for the neighborhood children. He looked for ways 
large and small to improve his community, such as the petition he 
organized that resulted in speed bumps on the streets of his community 
to protect his neighbors from irresponsible drivers.
  Thomas L. Morris, Jr., was born on March 2, 1946, also in Washington, 
D.C., and he got his education in public schools of the District of 
Columbia. He began his career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1973 as a 
distribution clerk in the government mails section at Brentwood. During 
his postal career Mr. Morris was honored four times for outstanding 
performance and with service awards.
  Mr. Speaker, naming post offices is a common practice in this body, 
but renaming Brentwood carries special meaning, both symbolic and 
pragmatic. Brentwood has remained closed since the anthrax attacks last 
October. Yet in the not too distant future, Brentwood will reopen. When 
it does, it must be a new Brentwood. When workers walk back into that 
facility, every aspect of the reopening should signify that this is 
Brentwood reborn.
  Brentwood not only will be fumigated, sanitized and refurbished, it 
should be Brentwood no more. Its new name will signify a new beginning, 
a mission that needs our attention. Many postal workers are still, 
understandably, reluctant to return to Brentwood. In naming the 
facility for Joseph Curseen and Thomas Morris, we can hope that their 
fellow workers will feel more resolved and more comfortable as they 
return.
  The Subcommittee on the District of Columbia, on which I serve as 
ranking member, already has held one hearing on the remediation of the 
Brentwood facility. At that hearing I asked the Centers for Disease 
Control to conduct an epidemiological study to compare the health of 
the workers from Brentwood with the health of workers who did not work 
in a contaminated facility so that we can follow and know if there are 
any longer-term effects. The CDC has agreed to do this study, and, in 
addition, is following the health condition of those who worked at the 
facility.
  The Postal Service has agreed that, at the very least, the same 
degree of extreme care that was used in cleaning the Hart Building, 
also struck by the anthrax attacks, will be used to decontaminate 
Brentwood. I also have proposed that we hold another hearing before 
Brentwood is reopened to reassure the public and postal employees that 
every possible step has been taken to ensure their safety.
  Following the tragic deaths of these two men, we must do whatever is 
necessary and appropriate to eliminate the deep concerns many employees 
still have about returning to the Brentwood facility. As one way to 
show our commitment to a safe facility, I propose that the Postmaster 
General, postal, union and elected officials be the first to enter the 
facility.
  I also believe that renaming Brentwood to honor Joseph Curseen, Jr., 
and Thomas Morris, Jr., will help accomplish what no amount of 
reassurance could possibly do. Their names will forever rest on the 
building to remind employees, visitors and the Nation that we must not 
forget two brave fallen heroes, whose example at work should inspire us 
to press forward, unbowed and without fear.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), the ranking member of the 
Subcommittee on Civil Service.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman 
for yielding me time.
   Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am 
pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 3287, which 
redesignates the facility of the United States Postal Service located 
at 900 Brentwood Road, Northeast, in Washington, D.C., as the Joseph 
Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr., Processing and Distribution 
Center.
  This bill was sponsored by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) on 
November 13, 2001, and enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the 
entire Maryland delegation, as well as the support of the gentlewoman 
from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Kolbe).
   Mr. Speaker, I also would like to note the dignity, grace and spirit 
of cooperation that has been displayed by Ms. Celeste Curseen, wife of 
Mr. Joseph Curseen, Jr., and Ms. Mary Morris, wife of Mr. Thomas 
Morris, Jr., as well as Mr. William Burris, President of the American 
Postal Workers Union, as we have moved to process this legislation.
  As the Chairman of the Congressional Postal Caucus, I am proud to 
honor two dedicated postal workers, Joseph Curseen, Jr., and Thomas 
Morris, Jr., both of whom died as a result of a bioterrorist anthrax 
attack on the United States postal system. This attack changed the 
fabric of American society. Let me recount the facts.
  The U.S. Postal Service Brentwood Processing and Distribution Center 
in the District of Columbia, a 632,000 square foot facility, was closed 
on October 21, 2001, because of anthrax contamination. Anthrax-laced 
letters addressed to Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy in their 
Senate offices had been processed at the Brentwood facility. 
Approximately 2,400 employees worked at this facility, including Joseph 
Curseen, Jr., and Thomas Morris, Jr.

[[Page H6014]]

  On October 21, 2001, Thomas Morris, Jr., died of inhalation anthrax. 
The following day, his colleague, Joseph Curseen, Jr., also died of 
inhalation anthrax. As of today, law enforcement officials have not 
found and brought to justice the perpetrators of these cowardly acts, 
and the Brentwood facility remains closed.
  It is unfortunate that we were introduced to Thomas Morris, Jr., and 
Joseph Curseen, Jr., as a result of their deaths.

                              {time}  1530

  However, by renaming the Brentwood Postal Facility after these 2 
individuals, we will be creating a lasting memorial to their lives, and 
we will be re-creating a lasting memorial, because they were both 
exemplary citizens, citizens who gave so much of themselves, not for 
themselves, but oftentimes for the benefit of others, individuals who 
were model citizens, model husbands, model fathers, involved actively 
in their communities and in the lives of others, involved in their 
church, involved with doing those things that we raise up in this 
country.
  So when we name this facility for them, we are not really naming it 
for them, but we are really naming it for the best of what America has 
to offer, and that is ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I again want to commend my colleague, the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) for introducing this legislation, and I urge 
its passage, and I commend the lives of these 2 great citizens.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn), the principal sponsor of this 
legislation.
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from the 
District of Columbia for yielding me this time, and I thank all of my 
colleagues in the region, the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), 
the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), as I have 
indicated, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), and also the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and other Members for supporting me 
in this legislation.
  I rise today in support of this bill honoring, as the Washington Post 
simply put it, ``Two Men Who Were Just Doing Their Jobs.'' My bill, 
H.R. 3287, redesignates the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 900 Brentwood Road, N.E. in Washington, D.C. as the 
Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr. Processing and Distribution 
Center. This facility was the site of the deadly anthrax contamination 
that resulted from a letter en route to Members of the United States 
Senate.
  I am particularly pleased that the wives of these 2 men, Ms. Curseen 
and Ms. Morris, are able to see this day as a small measure of 
compensation for the loss that they have suffered.
  If my colleagues would indulge me, I would like to tell a little bit 
about these gentlemen. Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr. were 
like thousands of other hard-working, dedicated Federal employees who 
came to work every day and quietly went about their daily duties, 
keeping the wheels of our government turning. However, unlike many of 
our Federal employees, in October of 2001, the hand of fate wearing the 
mask of terror touched these two young men. They died as a result of 
anthrax sent through the mail that was intended for our colleagues.
  First, Joseph P. Curseen, Jr. was born in Washington, D.C. in 1954, 
the only son of Billie and Joseph P. Curseen, Sr., and big brother to 
Joan Jackson and Janice Curseen. He was a graduate of Our Lady of 
Perpetual Help Grammar School, Gonzaga High School, and Marquette 
University. In 1985 he married his beautiful wife, Celestine.
  Joseph was a quiet, warm, and fun-loving man. He was an active, 
respected community leader who was founder and served as President of 
his neighborhood homeowners association. He served his spiritual 
community as a eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman 
Catholic Church, as a Bible study leader at work, as a Promise Keepers 
participant, and as a true servant of God. At work, Joe's quiet 
dedication and professionalism set an outstanding example for others in 
the service of our Nation.
  Joseph joined the Postal Service family in 1985, following in his 
father's footsteps. His assignments may have changed over the years, 
first to the flat sorting machine and then to automation, but his 
personality and inspiration were always solid anchors for those he 
worked with.
  Joseph P. Curseen, Jr.'s legacy is one of love for his God, for his 
wife, for his family, for his church, for his community, and for his 
coworkers.
  Thomas L. Morris, Jr. was born in Washington, D.C. in 1946, the first 
of three children born to Eva and Thomas Lee Earl Morris. He has two 
sisters, Yvonne Hankerson and Sheila Howard. Educated in the public 
schools of the District of Columbia, he continued to learn and teach 
throughout every day of his life. For 11 years, Thomas was married to 
his wife Mary, and to their union was born one son, Thomas L. Morris 
III. They also shared two stepchildren, Tara Underwood and Akai 
Snorten, and three grandchildren.
  Thomas was a kind and private man. He shared his emotions fully and 
happily with those who were closest to him. He derived great pleasure 
from the warmth of his loving family. One of his passions was bowling, 
where he served as President of the Tuesday Morning Mixed League at 
Parkland Bowl. Thomas was faithful to his church, Kendall Baptist. He 
was dedicated to his country and served honorably in the United States 
Air Force for more than 4 years. His choice of more than a 30-year 
career with the Postal Service was further reflection of his commitment 
to serving the people of our Nation.
  Starting his postal career as a government mail distribution clerk in 
1973, Thomas' varied assignments took him through other tours and 
sections at the Brentwood facility, including a promotion to general 
expediter. Just 3 years ago, Thomas's duties took him full circle, with 
a return to the government mail section. During the course of his 
distinguished career, he was honored on four occasions with outstanding 
performance and service awards.
  Thomas L. Morris led a life marked by devotion to his family, his 
friends, and his coworkers. He shared the lessons he learned with those 
he knew and loved and learned life's lessons from all he came in 
contact with.
  These two dedicated Federal employees have been honored by their 
leaders and coworkers with the Postmaster General's Medal of Freedom. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in honoring these men today by 
redesignating the Brentwood Postal Facility in their names.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this 
time.
  Today, the representatives of the people of a grateful Nation will 
vote unanimously to honor Thomas Morris, Jr. and Joseph Curseen, Jr. We 
will do that by designating the Brentwood Postal Facility in their 
honor and in their names.
  Not too long ago, we renamed the headquarters of the Capitol Police 
for three Capitol Policemen that we lost at the hand of a terrorist, 
J.J. Chestnut, John Gibson, and Christopher Eney. Today, we do another 
appropriate act. We will rise together to recognize, as the 
distinguished gentleman from Illinois observed, average Americans doing 
very uncommon things. Not only will we honor Mr. Morris and Mr. 
Curseen, but we will honor their colleagues as well. We will honor 
indeed all of those who day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month and 
year-to-year perform their tasks courageously, conscientiously, 
effectively. They do so so that America can function. Frankly, every 
day America relies on the United States Postal Service. It relies on it 
for commerce, it relies on it for family ties, it relies on it for 
information. Joseph Curseen and Thomas Morris made sure that happened.
  After their deaths in October of 2001, I had the opportunity of 
attending their memorial service, and at that service I met their 
wives, Celestine Curseen and Mary Morris. I did not know either Joe or 
Tom, but I met their wives. And I can tell from them and the strong 
feelings they have for those they have lost the kind of men, not only 
that they have lost, not only

[[Page H6015]]

that the Postal Service has lost, but that we as a Nation have lost, 
two extraordinary women in shared grief.
  Today we share their grief and we share their pride. We share their 
pride in those two men and in their colleagues.
  I visited the D.C. General Hospital, which was the site of the postal 
workers coming and being advised as to the risks they faced, the health 
consequences that might occur, and the prophylactic that they could 
take. I went down the line of those who were waiting for advice and 
counsel and I saw the courage and the conviction in their eyes.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The Chair would inform the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia that she has 30 seconds 
remaining.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. 
Morella) for yielding me this time.
  I saw the courage and conviction in their eyes. It reflected the 
courage and conviction of Joe and Thomas. It reflected the courage and 
conviction of their fellow Americans, their fellow citizens. They were 
not prepared, nor are they now prepared, to let those who would 
terrorize our institutions or our people flinch, retreat, or cower. It 
is appropriate that we honor these two men for their courage, for their 
commitment, and for their contribution to making America the greatest 
land on the face of the Earth. God blesses America. God blessed America 
through the lives of Thomas and Joseph.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, could I ask the gentlewoman from Maryland if 
she would yield me 1 minute to sum up?
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, there is a slogan I cannot remember entirely 
that is associated with the Post Office, ``through rain or snow or 
sleet,'' to describe just how constant is that service. Well, that 
describes how these men were remembered as unfailing men of the Postal 
Service. The renaming that we bring forward today is freighted with 
meaning, most obviously because it is so richly deserved, but the 
timing of this bill imports far deeper meaning. Hundreds of workers are 
preparing themselves psychologically to reenter that facility where two 
of their friends and colleagues died. May they find the reentry easier 
as they come no longer to the Brentwood Postal Facility, but to the 
Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr. Processing and Distribution 
Center.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, before I yield back the balance of my 
time, I yield myself such time as I may consume just to say that Thomas 
Morris' memories will live on through his wife of 11 years, Mary, their 
son, Thomas, their stepchildren, Tara Underwood, Akai Snorten, their 
grandchildren, Thomas's two sisters, Yvonne Hankerson and Sheila 
Howard.
  Joseph Curseen's life will be remembered by his wonderful wife of 16 
years, Celeste, his parents, Billie and Joseph, his two younger 
sisters, Joan and Janice. We will also remember them, we will remember 
them every day.
  I offer my deepest condolences to the family members. We can only say 
that while no medal or plaque or ceremony can truly convey our sadness 
for those who lost their lives, it is important that we in Congress 
show the rest of this country and the world how we value their bravery.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3287.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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