[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 134 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H9766-H9767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. POST OFFICE

  Mr LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2971) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue in Portland, 
Oregon, as the ``Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2971

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

     SECTION 1. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue in 
     Portland, Oregon, shall be known and designated as the ``Dr. 
     Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office''.
       (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. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post 
     Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.

[[Page H9767]]

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield time to the gentleman from North 
Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy) so that he may speak on the bill that just passed.
  Mr. POMEROY. I thank my friend, because I wanted to say some words on 
behalf of Jobs Corps and missed by moments, apparently, the formal 
opportunity do that. I will add a statement to the Record.
  But let me say as co-Chair of the Friends of Job Corps Caucus, I 
believe so strongly in the promise of Job Corps and admire its 45-year 
track record in providing at-risk youth the core job skills they need 
so that they might move forward and make something of their lives.
  My statement will include data, including the 60,000 youth every year 
choosing to enroll in Job Corps, the 85 percent of Job Corps graduates 
that obtain the high school diploma or GED equivalent, graduate with 
jobs and job-related skills, pursuing service in the military, other 
alternatives.
  I have seen firsthand in the Quentin Burdick Job Corps Center in 
Minot, North Dakota, youth that are getting after the business of 
turning their lives around and the new sense of self-esteem as they 
acquire skills, skills that will bring them jobs, jobs that will pay 
living wages so that they might have, for the first time, often, in the 
life of their family, a shot at breaking the cycle of poverty and 
leaving a better future for the children and grandchildren to follow.
  There is a reason why for 45 years Republicans and Democrats alike 
have supported Job Corps: It works.
  The President has told people contemplating walking away from school, 
not continuing their education, you are not only quitting on yourself, 
you are quitting on your country, because we need those skills. Well, 
for our country, I must say we must not quit on these young people, and 
that is why I look forward to the next 45 years of Job Corps support.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for this bill 
designating the post office located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth 
Avenue in Portland, Oregon, as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post 
Office.
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., became one of the most important public 
figures of our times. His leadership during the Civil Rights Movement 
helped to make America the country it is today. Because of Dr. King's 
many accomplishments in the pursuit of justice and liberty, it is clear 
that he deserves this honor and recognition.
  Dr. King began his career as a Baptist minister who was also a 
leading civil rights leader during the 1950s and 1960s. It's hard to 
forget Dr. King's stirring and often quoted ``I Have a Dream'' speech 
that established him as one of the great American orators of all time.
  Dr. King's lifelong crusade to end all forms of racial inequity was 
instrumental in turning the entire country towards civil rights for all 
citizens. His cry against segregation and other forms of discrimination 
brought this issue to the forefront of American culture.
  Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, which helped show 
the world that racial discrimination could be ended through nonviolent 
means. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and 
Congressional Gold Medal. In recognition of his many accomplishments 
for our country, in 1983, Congress established a national holiday as a 
tribute to his memory.
  As one of the most pivotal figures in the battle to end bigotry and 
discrimination on the basis of race, Dr. King led the Montgomery Bus 
Boycott in 1955, helped found the Southern Christian Leadership 
Conference in 1957, and was instrumental in orchestrating the famous 
Birmingham, Alabama, protests. Realizing that his message of freedom 
applied to all impoverished Americans, Dr. King expanded his crusade 
for fair treatment for all citizens. Dr. King expanded his message to 
apply to impoverished Americans.
  Towards the end of his life, he expanded his outreach to all races 
and cultures. Dr. King dedicated his life to ensuring these principles 
this country holds so dear, those of liberty and justice for all 
citizens.
  I would like to thank my respected colleague, Earl Blumenauer, for 
introducing this important legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present H.R. 2971 for 
consideration. This legislation, as my colleague noted, will designate 
the United States postal facility located at 630 Northeast 
Killingsworth Avenue, in Portland, Oregon, as the Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Post Office.
  Introduced on June 19, 2009, by my colleague, Representative Earl 
Blumenauer of Oregon, H.R. 2971 was favorably reported out of the 
Oversight and Government Reform Committee on July 10, 2009, by 
unanimous consent. Additionally, this legislation enjoys the support of 
the entire Oregon House delegation.
  My friend from Utah has articulated very well the events, the life 
and legacy of Dr. King, from his leadership in helping to organize the 
Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 to his riveting ``I Have a Dream'' 
speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial not far from this spot, and 
also the passion of his pursuit of nonviolent protest to change 
opinions, attitudes and opportunity in this country.
  Dr. King served to remind this Nation of its fundamental 
responsibility to safeguard the natural, God-given rights of all men 
and women, so that all people in this country would be free to pursue 
our goals and aspirations without limit.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that we can further honor the great life 
and legacy of Dr. King by joining our colleague from the State of 
Oregon and supporting the passage of this legislation to designate the 
Northeast Killingsworth Avenue post office in his honor.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2971.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I again urge my colleagues to 
join me in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through the passage of 
H.R. 2971.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, in June, I introduced a bill to name a 
post office in my district, northeast Portland, Oregon, the ``Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office.'' Located at 630 Northeast 
Killingsworth Avenue, this post office shall serve as a daily reminder 
of the civil rights leader who, even now, inspires our Nation and 
serves as a catalyst for change.
  In fact, this bill itself is a result of a community-led effort, and 
the hard work of two local letter carriers. In 2007, Mr. Jamie 
Partridge and Mr. Isham Harris collected employee signatures supporting 
this naming, as well as letters of support from several neighborhood 
associations. I am pleased to carry this effort forward in D.C., with 
the full support of the entire Oregon congressional delegation.
  I thank the Committee on Government Oversight and Reform for working 
with me to ensure speedy passage of this bill through the House. I look 
forward to equally expeditious consideration in the Senate.
  Mr. LYNCH. I yield back the remainder of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2971.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr LYNCH. 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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