[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H11171-H11172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  JAMES E. DAVIS POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 1590) to redesignate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service, located at 315 Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights, 
Brooklyn, New York, as the ``James E. Davis Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 1590

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

     SECTION 1. JAMES E. DAVIS POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 315 Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights, 
     Brooklyn, New York, shall be known as designated

[[Page H11172]]

     as the ``James E. Davis 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 James E. Davis Post Office Building.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Ballance) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).


                             General Leave

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. 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 Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 1590, a bill sponsored by Senator Schumer of New 
York, names a postal facility in Brooklyn, New York, as the James E. 
Davis Post Office Building. My distinguished colleague on the Committee 
on Government Reform, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns), authored 
the House version of this postal naming bill, H.R. 3012. I commend both 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) and Senator Schumer for their 
work on this meaningful effort.
  Mr. Speaker, James E. Davis was a devoted public official who lived 
and worked in Brooklyn all of his life. The son of a corrections 
officer himself, Davis became an officer in the New York Police 
Department in 1983. After nearly 2 decades on the police force, he was 
elected to the New York City Council in November of 2001. In that 
capacity Davis was able to utilize his dynamic public speaking ability. 
He truly had a gift for connecting with audiences and delivering 
messages that advocated non-violence.
  Mr. Speaker, defeating crime and eliminating violence in inner-city 
New York were lifelong missions for James E. Davis both as a law 
enforcement and elected official. This reality made July 23, 2003, an 
even more ironically tragic day for New Yorkers as well as all 
Americans. On that afternoon, James Davis had invited a political rival 
to City Hall to attend a council meeting. Just after 2 o'clock, 
Councilman Davis' guest brandished a handgun and inexplicably shot 
Davis twice in the chest. Mr. Davis sadly passed away at a nearby 
hospital later that afternoon.
  Mr. Speaker, many of us saw the story of James E. Davis' tragic 
murder in New York City Hall on national newscasts last summer. I want 
to join with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) and Senator 
Schumer in extending the sympathy of all Members of Congress to the 
family, friends, and supporters of James E. Davis. I am pleased that 
passage of this legislation will immortalize James E. Davis' 
contributions to his community and to the Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of S. 1590.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. BALLANCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand at this time as the designee for 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) on behalf of this resolution. I 
am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of S. 1590, 
legislation naming a postal facility after the late James E. Davis.
  S. 1509, which was introduced by Senator Schumer on September 8, 
2003, was unanimously adopted by the Committee on Government Reform on 
November 6, 2003. An identical bill, H.R. 3012, sponsored by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) has the support and cosponsorship 
of the entire New York delegation.
  Mr. James Davis was born in 1962 and graduated from Tilden High 
School in Brooklyn, New York in 1980. He obtained a degree from Pace 
University in 1989 and then joined the New York City Correctional 
Department. He became a police officer in 1991 and was assigned to the 
73rd Precinct in Brooklyn. A youth officer, Mr. Davis served in the New 
York Police Department until he decided to enter the political arena in 
1988 by running for assemblyman for the 43rd District. Although 
unsuccessful, he ran again and won office in November 2001, where he 
served as councilman for the 35th District.
  Tragically, as we have just heard, Councilman Davis's life was cut 
short when he was gunned down in a violent shooting in the City Hall at 
the young age of 41.
  Mr. Speaker, James Davis was a man of the community. He has dedicated 
his life to improving conditions in Brooklyn, New York, helping young 
people realize their dreams and stopping urban violence.
  I commend my colleagues, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) and 
Senator Schumer for seeking to honor the legacy of Councilmember James 
Davis and urge the adoption of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I urge 
passage of S. 1590, and I urge all of my colleagues to join in support 
of this very worthwhile and appropriate measure.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, as the lead sponsor of the House version of 
S. 1590, I am pleased that we are considering this legislation today. 
S. 1590 would rename the post office located at 315 Empire Boulevard in 
Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``James E. Davis Post Office 
Building.'' I would also like to note that this bill has been 
cosponsored by the entire New York delegation, and I would like to 
thank my colleagues from New York for doing so.
  On that tragic day when Councilman James Davis of Brooklyn was 
murdered in a violent shooting in City Hall, New York City, we lost a 
true public servant. He was an intelligent, passionate, and energetic 
young man who had an extremely bright future. He worked very hard and 
took his duties as a public servant very, very seriously. He was only 
41 years old and had served almost one term in the New York City 
Council. But he had already made his mark.
  I met James through the Youth March Against Violence that he 
organized. His commitment to this issue was genuine.
  However, when I think of him, I remember one of the last 
conversations we had, which I think really embodies his approach to 
public service. We were meeting with housing authority officials, and 
he told them we weren't there to point fingers at every one. But if we 
didn't work together to get thing done, we would all take the blame. 
Sound advice that I think all public officials should take to heart.
  With James, it was always about the community. He was dedicated to 
its betterment, having served as a police officer and district leader 
before being elected to the city council. One could always see the love 
he had for his neighbors and constituents. Naming a post office after 
him would be a lasting tribute to all of his hard work for the 
community that he loved so much. While we still have a heavy heart for 
losing such a good friend, the James E. Davis post office can help us 
celebrate his life. I think I can speak for all of Brooklyn when I say 
that the James E. Davis post office is something that we will all be 
proud of.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 1590.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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