Congressional Record, Volume 149 Issue 66 (Tuesday, May 6, 2003)

[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 6, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H3653-H3655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

DR. CAESAR A.W. CLARK, SR. POST OFFICE BUILDING

Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 1740) to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 1502 East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas,
Texas, as the ``Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read as follows:

H.R. 1740

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

SECTION 1. DR. CAESAR A.W. CLARK, SR. POST OFFICE BUILDING.

(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1502 East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas,
Texas, shall be known and designated as the ``Dr. Caesar A.W.
Clark, Sr. 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 Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. Post Office
Building.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Turner) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will
control 20 minutes.

[[Page H3654]]

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner).

General Leave

Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H.R. 1740, introduced by the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas
(Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), designates the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 1502 East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas,
Texas, as the Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. Post Office Building. The
entire delegation from the State of Texas has cosponsored this
legislation.
Madam Speaker, by renaming this post office for Dr. Caesar A.W.
Clark, this House will commemorate a remarkable American. Dr. Clark has
served as the venerated pastor of Good Street Baptist Church in Dallas
for over 50 years and is well known throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth
area. At 88 years of age, Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark still preaches on
Sundays at Good Street Baptist Church. He has delivered his vibrant
sermons all over the world during his extraordinary career in the
clergy. In addition, he has served as president of the Missionary
Baptist Association of Texas and as vice president of the National
Baptist Convention.
Growing up, Caesar Clark could not continue in school past the
seventh grade because his help was too valuable to the family farm. He
ultimately educated himself during his teenage years and earned
admittance to Bishop College from which he graduated in 1946. In 1950,
he became pastor at Good Street Baptist.
While his professional focus has always been squarely on the valued
worshippers at Good Street Baptist, Dr. Clark is also an involved
community leader who continues to enjoy membership on the Boy Scouts of
America Advisory Committee and the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce. In
addition, Dr. Clark played an active role in our Nation's civil rights
struggle. Perhaps most notably he was responsible for drawing Dr.
Martin Luther King to his church in 1958 for his first of many speeches
in Dallas.
Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark's life is one of dedicated service, compassion,
faith, and devotion. For all these reasons, I urge all Members to
support the passage of H.R. 1740, which names this Dallas post office
building after Dr. Clark. I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for
introducing this important legislation.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume. I might note that the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie
Bernice Johnson) is returning from the Persian Gulf and is unable to be
here at the moment with us. I would read her statement into the Record:
H.R. 1740, Legislation to Designate the Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. Post
Office. The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas in the House of
Representatives.
``Madam Speaker, H.R. 1740 designates a post office located at 1502
East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas, Texas, as H.R. 1740 enjoys the support
and cosponsorship of the entire Texas delegation.
``Madam Speaker, during his 50-year tenure of the Good Street Baptist
Church, Reverend Caesar A.W. Clark has provided a wealth of services to
thousands of Dallas residents. Leading by example is how Reverend Clark
became a pillar of the Dallas community. As an early pioneer in the
civil rights movement, Reverend Clark was responsible for the first
visit to Dallas by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Following that 1958
visit, Reverend Clark continued to work to end segregation in Dallas.
``We honor Reverend Clark, a nationally renowned member of the
clergy, humanitarian and respected leader that Ebony magazine has twice
named one of the 15 ``Outstanding Black Preachers in America.'' Under
his leadership at Good Street Baptist Church, the church has
progressively grown by establishing two day care centers, a free legal
clinic, and a federally assisted complex for the elderly. Of particular
note in the 1950s, a time when credit was expensive and loan sharks
took advantage of people, Reverend Clark organized to create a church
credit union. Today, the Good Street Baptist Church has more than $1.2
million in assets and serves nearly 1,500 members and their families.
Indeed, this is an honor for Reverend Clark who has served as a vice
president of the National Baptist Convention and president of the
Missionary Baptist Association of Texas. He has been a source of
spiritual inspiration for some of Dallas' oldest African American
families and many of our political and civic leaders. While sharing
knowledge with residents and cultivating their humility, he is still
dedicated to his congregation and to his daily work at Good Street
Baptist.
``The designation of this post office acknowledges Reverend Clark's
outstanding contributions as pastor at Good Street Baptist Church for
more than 5 decades.
``Born in 1914 in Louisiana, Reverend Clark was subjected to a `Jim
Crow' South, a time when nearly all African Americans were not allowed
an equal opportunity to receive a quality education. Determined to not
let adversity remain a barrier, Reverend Clark studied independently
and gained admission to Bishop College. Reverend Clark graduated from
there in 1946.
``Reverend Clark is known throughout the State of Texas as a
remarkable pastor and dedicated leader who views the community as
extended family. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.
``Madam Speaker, we wish to congratulate Reverend Clark on the
designation of this post office and for his many years of service and
dedication to the Good Street Baptist Church and citizens of Dallas.
His achievements are an inspiration to all of us.''
I commend the gentlewoman from Texas for extending to the good
reverend this honor.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is an honor and
privilege to make this statement on behalf of legislation I sponsored
honoring a great Texan and American.
H.R. 1740 designates a post office located at 1502 East Kiest
Boulevard in Dallas, Texas, as the Ceasar A.W. Clark Post Office. H.R.
1740 enjoys the support and co-sponsorship of the entire Texas
delegation.
Madam Speaker, during his 50 year tenure of the Good Street Baptist
Church, Reverend Ceasar A.W. Clark has provided a wealth of services to
thousands of Dallas residents. Leading by example is how Rev. Clark
became a pillar of the Dallas community. As an early pioneer in the
civil rights movement, Rev. Clark was responsible for the first visit
to Dallas by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Following that 1958 visit,
Rev. Clark continued to work to end segregation in Dallas.
I rise to honor Rev. Ceasar Clark, a nationally renown member of the
clergy, humanitarian, and respected leader Ebony magazine has twice
named one of the fifteen ``Outstanding Black Preachers in America''.
Under his leadership at Good Street Baptist Church, the church has
progressively grown by establishing two day care centers, a free legal
clinic and a federally assisted complex for the elderly. Of particular
note in the 1950's, a time when credit was expensive and loansharks
took advantage of people, Rev. Clark organized to create a church
credit union.Today, the Good Street Baptist Church has more than $1.2
million in assets and serves nearly 1,500 members and their families.
Indeed this is an honor for Rev. Clark, who has served as a Vice
President of the National Baptist Association of Texas. He has been a
source of spiritual inspiration for some of Dallas' oldest African-
American families and many of our political and civil leaders. While
sharing knowledge with residents and cultivating their humility, he is
still dedicated to his congregation and to his daily work at Good
Street Baptist.
The designation of this post office acknowledges Rev. Clark's
outstanding contributions as pastor at Good Street Baptist Church for
more than five decades.
Born in 1914 in Louisiana, Rev. Clark was subjected to a ``Jim Crow''
south, a time nearly all African-Americans were not allowed an equal
opportunity to receive a quality education. Determined to not let
adversity remain a barrier, Rev. Clerk studied independently and gained
admission into Bishop College. Rev. Clark graduated from there in 1946.
Rev. Clark is known throughout the state of Texas as a remarkable
pastor and dedicated leader, who views the community as extended

[[Page H3655]]

family. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.
Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate Rev. Clark on the designation
of this post office and for his many years of service and dedication to
the Good Street Baptist Church and citizens of Dallas.
His achievements are an inspiration to us all.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for introducing this
legislation. I urge all Members to support the adoption of this
measure.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 1740.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam 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.

____________________