[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 13, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H61-H63]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        E.V. WILKINS POST OFFICE

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill

[[Page H62]]

(H.R. 3892) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North Carolina, 
as the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3892

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

     SECTION 1. E.V. WILKINS POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North 
     Carolina, shall be known and designated as the ``E.V. Wilkins 
     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 ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and to add any extraneous material.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, as chairman of the House subcommittee with 
jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service, I present H.R. 3892 
for consideration.
  This legislation will designate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North 
Carolina, as the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office.''
  At this time, I yield such time as he may consume to the chief and 
lead sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Butterfield).
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. To the distinguished chairman of the subcommittee, 
my friend from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch), and to the minority member 
who is managing the bill--and I do not recall your name right now and I 
apologize for that--thank you very much for allowing us to have this 
time today.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a friend, the late Elmer V. 
Wilkins, who was an outstanding educator, mayor, councilman, State 
board of education member, and a lifelong North Carolinian.

                              {time}  1215

  In North Carolina, we remember E.V. as one with a strong philosophy 
of tolerance and civic responsibility and educational achievement. 
Because of his public service, I introduced this bill to name the 
United States Post Office located in Roper, North Carolina, as the 
``E.V. Wilkins Post Office.''
  Thanks to the overwhelming support of the entire North Carolina 
delegation--and I understand that Mr. Etheridge, who is my colleague 
from North Carolina, may be on the floor in a few minutes, and they 
were, of course, friends--we are one step closer to this bill becoming 
a reality. The people of Roper, North Carolina, and throughout the 
county of Washington and even the surrounding counties deeply 
appreciate this naming opportunity.
  Elmer Vanray, ``E.V.,'' Wilkins was born on Independence Day of 1911, 
and to many who knew him, this was no coincidence. He was a staunch 
defender of constitutional rights and would become a well-known voice 
for civil rights and voting rights for every citizen. E.V. was the 
second of 10 children born to Mr. T.L. and Mrs. Maggie Wilkins in 
Roper.
  After graduating from my alma mater, North Carolina Central 
University, in the 1930s, E.V. returned to his hometown of Roper to 
teach mathematics at J.J. Clemmons High School. He soon became the 
school's principal, a position he held for more than 30 years.
  In 1946, Madam Chair, E.V. led an effort to provide bus rides to and 
from school for African American children living in his community. 
Prior to his activism, white children were the only students having 
access to a bus, forcing African American students to walk, sometimes 
miles, to and from their school. He solicited small donations from 
fair-minded white citizens and from African American citizens, and even 
accepted bushels of potatoes from those who were unable to give money. 
Those potatoes were sold and the proceeds were used in what was called 
the ``bus fund.''
  In the mid-1950s, frustrated with the inability of African American 
citizens to vote, E.V. Wilkins, along with the local branch of the 
NAACP, initiated a lawsuit to compel elections officials to allow 
African American citizens to register to vote. As a result, E.V.'s 
father, Mr. T.L. Wilkins, was able to vote for the first time in 1956.
  It was clear to E.V. that political empowerment for the African 
American community could make a real difference in their lives, and so 
in 1967, 2 years after the Voting Rights Act, E.V. made history by 
becoming the first African American since Reconstruction to be elected 
to the town council.
  Sensing an opportunity to better serve the town and its citizens, 
E.V. was then elected mayor of Roper in 1975, again making history as 
the first African American to hold that position. E.V. served as mayor 
for 20 years until his retirement.
  E.V. was a well-known progressive voice in eastern North Carolina. In 
addition to serving as mayor, he served as a delegate to the Democratic 
National Convention in 1972, 1980, and 1984, helping to nominate George 
McGovern, Jimmy Carter, and Walter Mondale as nominees for his 
political party.
  E.V. was a tireless and stalwart public servant throughout his life. 
In addition to his service as teacher, principal, councilman, and 
mayor, he served on numerous boards, including the State Board of 
Education for North Carolina, State Economic Development Commission, 
North Carolina Secondary Road Council, North Carolina Railroad Board of 
Directors, North Carolina State Ports Authority, Advisory Board for the 
Rural Education Institution at ECU, which is East Carolina University, 
and Elizabeth City State University Board of Trustees.
  During his life, E.V. received many honors and awards, including the 
North Carolina Distinguished Citizen Award, the Order of the Long Leaf 
Pine, the Service Award by the North Carolina Leadership Caucus, the 
North Carolina Distinguished Service Award, and the North Carolina 
Human Relations Commission's Libby D. Koontz Award in recognition for 
his dedication and leadership in the areas of education, civil rights, 
and human rights.
  He was also honored by Elizabeth City State University with the 
naming of the university's computer center as the E.V. Wilkins Academic 
Computer Center several years ago. Further, Elizabeth City State 
University established the E.V. Wilkins Endowed Chair in the 
university's School of Education and Psychology Department in 1996.
  E.V. Wilkins passed away, Madam Speaker, on June 2, 2002, at the age 
of 90 years old. His commitment to enriching the lives and standing up 
for those less fortunate are qualities that I hope we all emulate. His 
integrity and the values for which he fought do great honor to the post 
office that will bear his name.
  His greatest fortune is his two daughters, Bunny and Joy. Bunny was 
also called to public service, I might say, much like her father. She 
is currently the mayor of Roper, North Carolina, and is an outspoken 
advocate for her town and its citizens.
  Again, I want to thank my friend Mr. Lynch and the ranking member and 
all of my colleagues for their support. I respectfully request an 
``aye'' vote on H.R. 3892.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 3892, designating the United States 
Postal Service facility located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, 
North Carolina, the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office.''
  Born in Roper, North Carolina, on July 4, 1911, Elmer Vanray Wilkins 
spent his childhood in Roper before attending North Carolina Central 
University, where he received a bachelor of science and master of arts 
degree.

[[Page H63]]

  Upon graduation, Mr. Wilkins returned home to Roper, where he taught 
mathematics at J.J. Clemmons High School. During the time he was 
serving as a teacher, Mr. Wilkins met his wife, Elizabeth, also a 
fellow teacher.
  As a result of his success as a teacher, in 1941 he was promoted to 
principal of Clemmons High School, a position he held with distinction 
for over 30 years.
  Throughout his decades of service at Clemmons High School, Mr. 
Wilkins was described as a mentor to many of his students.
  In the 1950s, Mr. Wilkins began his involvement in politics. He 
worked with the NAACP to file a lawsuit that eventually ensured that 
African Americans in his home county of Washington County were allowed 
the right to vote. He continued his work in politics, and in 1967 he 
became the first post-Reconstruction African American member of the 
Roper town council.
  Mr. Wilkins broke down more racial barriers in 1975 when he became 
the first African American mayor of Roper. He served as mayor for 20 
years until he retired. During his time as mayor, he was a delegate to 
the Democratic National Convention three separate times.
  His years of public service earned him many different awards and 
honors. His passion for helping others and dedication to the town of 
Roper was a model for young people in the community that he helped grow 
and change. He was given the North Carolina Distinguished Citizen 
Award, the Service Award by the North Carolina Leadership Caucus, the 
North Carolina Distinguished Service Award, and the North Carolina 
Human Rights Commission's Libby D. Koontz Award in recognition of his 
dedication and leadership in the areas of education, civil rights, and 
human rights.
  Elizabeth City State University dedicated its computer center to Mr. 
Wilkins and created an endowed faculty chair in his honor in its School 
of Education and Psychology.
  Mr. Wilkins' personal accomplishments are an inspiration to many in 
Roper and throughout North Carolina, including his daughter, Bunny 
Sanders, who is the current mayor of Roper.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to honor E.V. 
Wilkins' life and successes. I ask my fellow Members to join me in 
supporting H.R. 3892.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) to speak on Mr. Butterfield's 
resolution.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, let me, first of all, thank 
Chairman Lynch for yielding. And I want to commend Representative 
Butterfield for introducing such as outstanding resolution paying 
tribute to such an outstanding individual as Mr. Wilkins.
  As I listened to Representative Butterfield talk about Mr. Wilkins, I 
couldn't help but be reminded of my own parents, my uncles and aunts, 
who were all part of that generation of individuals who did outstanding 
work that has been unheralded in many instances. So I simply want to 
congratulate Representative Butterfield for recognizing such an 
outstanding person.
  I also want to take this opportunity to commend Representative Platts 
for his resolution honoring the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, who 
lived in the neighborhood where I lived the little time that he spent 
in Chicago, and I got a chance to know him and to see him. And so I 
simply recommend that all of us spend a day of service and a day of 
work in his memory.
  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the 
passage of H.R. 3892.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, first, I want to thank Mr. Luetkemeyer for 
his articulate comments and his support of this resolution. I want to 
thank the lead sponsors, Mr. Butterfield, and also Mr. Etheridge I 
understand is a sponsor as well. I ask our colleagues on both sides to 
support this resolution.
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3892 to 
name the post office at 101 West Highway 64 bypass in Roper, North 
Carolina after my friend, a fierce education advocate and civil rights 
champion, Elmer Vanray ``E.V.'' Wilkins. I would like to thank my 
friend Congressman Butterfield for offering this legislation to provide 
a well-deserved honor to one of North Carolina's native sons.
  I had the distinct privilege of working with E.V. during my tenure as 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction in North Carolina. I will 
remember E.V. for his unique style in handling tough situations and his 
passion for education. E.V. was born in Roper on July 4, 1911, to Tom 
and Maggie Wilkins. He received both his Bachelor of Science and 
Masters degrees from North Carolina Central University in Durham, North 
Carolina and later returned to Roper to teach mathematics at J.J. 
Clemmons High School. While at Clemmons High School, E.V. Wilkins met 
his beautiful wife, Elizabeth, who was also a teacher there. In 1941, 
E.V. became principal of Clemmons High School, a position he held for 
33 years. E.V. was an institution at Clemmons, a positive influence and 
mentor to his students, always encouraging them to succeed.
  Perhaps E.V.'s most lasting legacy will be his work bringing races 
together in North Carolina. Back in the days when white children had a 
bus to take to school and African-American students did not, E.V. began 
his efforts by raising money for a school bus for Clemmons High School 
in 1946. He was able to get donations from African Americans and 
whites, and even sold bushels of potatoes to raise funds. But this was 
only the first of his successes fighting for civil rights.
  In the mid-1950s, Wilkins continued his fight for equality against 
white town leaders' refusal to allow African Americans to vote. Wilkins 
led a lawsuit with the National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People on behalf of the town's black residents and in 1956 won 
a court order enforcing their right to vote. Wilkins' father was able 
to vote for the first time in his life. E.V. was committed to the idea 
that all people deserve equal rights, and he dedicated his life to this 
cause.
  In 1967, E.V. Wilkins became the first African American since 
reconstruction to be elected to the Roper Town Council and then in 1975 
he became the first African American elected as Mayor of Roper. He held 
this position for 20 years.
  A committed public servant, throughout his life E.V. found time to 
serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina School 
of Science and Mathematics, the Advisory Board for the Rural Education 
Institution at East Carolina University, and of the Elizabeth City 
State University Board of Trustees, serving as Chair from 1989 to 1994. 
He was also active in the Democratic Party and served as a delegate to 
the National Democratic Convention in 1972, 1980, and 1984.
  E.V. Wilkins died on June 2, 2002 and is survived by his daughters, 
Bunny Sanders and Joy Price, son-in-law, Ralph Price, and two 
grandchildren. Madam Speaker, this is a fitting tribute for an 
extraordinary man whom I was proud to call my friend, and honored to 
work with in support of education for all of North Carolina's children. 
I thank Congressman Butterfield for offering this legislation and urge 
my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. LYNCH. I yield back the balance 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. 3892.
  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. 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.

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