[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 127 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H7252-H7253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
LARCENIA J. BULLARD POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (H.R. 2678) to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 10360 Southwest 186th Street in Miami,
Florida, as the ``Larcenia J. Bullard Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2678
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. LARCENIA J. BULLARD POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 10360 Southwest 186th Street in Miami,
Florida, shall be known and designated as the ``Larcenia J.
Bullard 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 ``Larcenia J. Bullard Post Office
Building''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Collins) and the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
General Leave
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2678, which was
introduced by Representative Joe Garcia of Florida. This bill would
designate the postal facility located at 10360 Southwest 186th Street
in Miami, Florida, as the Larcenia J. Bullard Post Office Building.
Larcenia Bullard was a schoolteacher and member of the Florida State
senate representing the 39th district from 2002 to 2012. She also
served in the Florida State House of Representatives from 1992 to 2000.
Born Larcenia Dunbar on July 21, 1947, she was a graduate of Antioch
College in Ohio and moved to the Miami area from Philadelphia in the
early 1980s. She earned her master's degree from Southeastern Nova
University and taught first grade but had developed a desire for public
service while working on political campaigns in high school and decided
to run for office. She was elected to the Florida State House of
Representatives in 1992. When she left the State house in 2000, she
managed her husband Edward's successful campaign to succeed her.
Likewise, her son, Dwight, succeeded her as a State senator following
her retirement.
Larcenia Bullard is remembered as a woman of integrity with a great
sense of humor, caring spirit, and a heart of gold. While she fought
passionately for her convictions, she treated everyone, including her
opponents, with respect and dignity. At the time of her passing,
Florida State Senate President Don Gaetz said:
Every hard fight in committee or tough debate on the senate
floor always ended with her warmly embracing those with whom
she disagreed and assuring them of her love.
Madam Speaker, Larcenia's example is one that all Members of this
body would do well to follow. She died in March of 2013 in the town of
her birth, Allendale, South Carolina, while on vacation with her
family.
In addition to her husband, Edward, and son, Dwight, she was survived
by her son, Vincent; daughter, Edwina; and her grandchildren.
Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the
legacy of this great woman and public servant by passing H.R. 2678.
With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, I am proud to join with my colleagues in
the consideration of H.R. 2678 and would like to yield as much time as
he may consume to the gentleman from Florida, Representative Garcia, my
good friend who has sponsored this legislation.
Mr. GARCIA. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia
and the gentleman from Nevada for their kind words.
Larcenia Bullard was a teacher, a public servant, a trailblazer for
young, African American women, a mother, and a personal friend of mine.
I am
[[Page H7253]]
honored to stand here today in recognition of her unparalleled service
to the people of south Florida.
Larcenia spent 35 years living in Richmond Heights, Florida, with her
son, Dwight, and husband, Edward, before passing early last year. She
was a devoted first-grade teacher and an accomplished State
representative in the Florida House and a legendary State senator. She
is remembered for voting with her heart--no matter the politics or the
party.
Her passing was crushing to the south Florida community. Although her
son, Dwight, carries on her legacy through a commitment to strong
leadership and challenging the status quo, Larcenia was an
irreplaceable champion of the African American community, defender of
education and opportunity equality, and a believer in the ability of
each of us to create and instill change.
I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2678,
legislation that would designate the U.S. Post Office on 10360
Southwest 186th Street in Miami, Florida, as the Larcenia J. Bullard
Post Office Building. Doing so would recognize not only Larcenia's
undying dedication to the community she served, but also the heart,
vibrancy, and passion she shared with the world.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, we have no more speakers, and
we are ready to close.
Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, I support the passage of this bill to
honor the passion, dedication, and love with which Larcenia Bullard
legislated. I urge this body's adoption of H.R. 2678, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, again, I appreciate the
gentleman from Florida bringing forth an example of a fine public
servant, and I would urge all Members to support passage of H.R. 2678.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2678.
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. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a
quorum is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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