[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 158 (Monday, September 14, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H4366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  DR. C.O. SIMPKINS, SR., POST OFFICE

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend 
the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5384) to designate the facility of 
the United States Postal Service located at 100 Crosby Street in 
Mansfield, Louisiana, as the ``Dr. C.O. Simpkins, Sr., Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5384

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

     SECTION 1. DR. C.O. SIMPKINS, SR., POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 100 Crosby Street in Mansfield, Louisiana, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Dr. C.O. Simpkins, 
     Sr., 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. C.O. Simpkins, Sr., Post Office''.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Cloud) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of 
H.R. 5384 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 100 Crosby Street in Mansfield, Louisiana, as the Dr. C.O. 
Simpkins, Sr., Post Office.
  Born and raised in Mansfield, Louisiana, Dr. Simpkins attended Wiley 
College and Tennessee State University for his undergraduate studies 
before earning a degree in dentistry from Meharry Medical College.
  Following his undergraduate education, he joined the U.S. Air Force, 
obtaining the rank of captain before being honorably discharged.
  After his military service, he returned to Shreveport, Louisiana, to 
open a dental practice. During this time, he became very involved with 
the civil rights movement and was a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther 
King.
  This drew the attention of racist organizations like the Ku Klux 
Klan, and his home and office were firebombed. Fearing for his safety, 
Dr. Simpkins moved to New York, where he continued to advocate for 
civil rights.
  After living in New York for 26 years, Dr. Simpkins returned to 
Shreveport, reopened his dental practice, and pursued a career in 
politics. He won a seat in the Louisiana State House of 
Representatives, where he served for one term before returning to his 
dental practice full time.
  He retired from his practice in 2011. Dr. Simpkins passed away on 
December 4, 2019, at the age of 94. We are pleased to honor his legacy 
and memory by naming a post office in his honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Johnson, the distinguished 
ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary's Subcommittee on the 
Constitution, Civil Rights, and Liberties, for this bill to honor this 
community and civil rights leader.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5384 to designate 
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Crosby 
Street in Mansfield, Louisiana, as the Dr. C.O. Simpkins, Sr., Post 
Office.
  Dr. Simpkins joined the U.S. Air Force after school, attaining the 
rank of captain before being honorably discharged.
  Following his military service, he returned to Shreveport and opened 
a dental practice.
  He became involved in the civil rights movement, serving with Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Unfortunately, his involvement drew the 
attention of racist organizations, such as the Ku Klux Klan, tragically 
resulting in his home and office being firebombed.
  Fearing for his safety, Dr. Simpkins moved to New York, where he 
continued to be an advocate for civil rights.
  After living in New York for 26 years, Dr. Simpkins returned to 
Shreveport, reopened his dental practice, and pursued a career in 
politics. He won a seat in the Louisiana State House of 
Representatives, where he served for one term before returning to his 
dental practice full time. He continued working at his dental practice 
until retiring in 2011.
  He passed away on December 4, 2019, at the age of 94.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage 
of H.R. 5384, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5384.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________