[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 160 (Tuesday, December 7, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H8040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      EARL WILSON, JR. POST OFFICE

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6400) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, as the 
``Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6400

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

     SECTION 1. EARL WILSON, JR. POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, 
     Missouri, shall be known and designated as the ``Earl Wilson, 
     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 ``Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, once again I stand as a member of the House 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to join my colleagues in 
the consideration of H.R. 6400. This legislation would name the U.S. 
post office facility at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, 
after a man who transformed his community while giving hope and 
opportunity to hundreds of young people, a true giant of philanthropy, 
the late Earl Wilson, Jr.

                              {time}  1420

  The measure before us was first introduced on November 15, 2010. I am 
proud to say that the bill now enjoys the support and cosponsorship of 
18 Members of Congress, including the entire congressional delegation 
from my home State of Missouri.
  Madam Speaker, Earl Wilson, Jr.'s lifetime of achievement in the 
corporate world, as the founder of the St. Louis Gateway Classic 
Foundation, as a proud veteran in the U.S. Army, as a father, husband, 
and friend to so many will live forever.
  Earl Wilson, Jr., was born in St. Louis on October 9, 1932. He grew 
up on 11th Street, just a few blocks away from the U.S. Post Office 
that will hopefully bear his name. Mr. Wilson graduated from Vashon 
High School and received his B.S. in education from Lincoln University 
in 1957. After graduation, he proudly served as a captain in the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers.
  In 1963, he became a corporate trailblazer at IBM, where he was a 
stellar performer for three decades. Toward the end of his IBM career, 
Mr. Wilson was loaned to his alma mater to help rescue his school from 
financial straits, which he successfully accomplished.
  Earl Wilson, Jr., later founded the St. Louis Gateway Classic 
Foundation, an annual football contest that helped to fund the dreams 
of deserving students. Without a doubt, his impact on the lives of so 
many young St. Louisans will endure for generations to come.
  Over the last 16 years, the annual Gridiron Classic featured top 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game itself was a 
celebration of football tradition and a battle of the bands. But as 
Earl Wilson often reminded us, ``It was more than just a game.'' The 
St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation effectively raised $2.6 million to 
send average C-grade students to college on full 4-year scholarships.
  The foundation's busy year-round schedule of fundraising and 
community events helped to fuel its success. To raise money, Wilson 
orchestrated golf tournaments, basketball shoot-outs, baseball games, a 
boxing showcase, pageants, and concerts. To give back to the community, 
the foundation provided quality after-school programs, an adult day 
care, holiday meals for people in need, and neighborhood lunches. He 
also created a Walk of Fame that honors local African Americans who 
have been pioneers in St. Louis.
  When Earl Wilson, Jr., passed away on October 29 of this year, it was 
not only an enormous personal loss for my family and me, but his death 
was mourned throughout St. Louis and across our Nation.
  Madam Speaker, I have been blessed to experience and witness 
firsthand his commitment to opening the doors of higher education to 
young people. He selflessly invested his immense talents and boundless 
energy to build up his community and his country. And as we move to 
recognize the accomplishments of this great humanitarian, father, and 
friend to many, I ask that we pass the underlying bill without 
reservation and pay tribute to a great American, Earl Wilson, Jr.
  I urge passage of H.R. 6400, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 6400, to designate the facility of 
the United States Postal Service located at 111 North 6th Street in St. 
Louis, Missouri, as the ``Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office.''
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Wilson did so much for his country and community 
throughout his 78 years, as Mr. Clay has spoken of so eloquently. He 
was a man dedicated to helping and improving the lives of others, and 
it's proper and fitting that we name this post office to honor Mr. 
Wilson. So I urge all Members to join Mr. Clay and the entire Missouri 
delegation in support of this bill.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and, 
again, I would just like to urge my colleagues to pass the underlying 
bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 6400.
  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. CLAY. 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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