[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 161 (Monday, October 2, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4942-H4943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 DR. RUDY LOMBARD POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 996) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 3901 MacArthur Blvd., in New Orleans, Louisiana, as 
the ``Dr. Rudy Lombard Post Office''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 996

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

     SECTION 1. DR. RUDY LOMBARD POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 3901 MacArthur Blvd., in New Orleans, 
     Louisiana, shall be known and designated as the ``Dr. Rudy 
     Lombard 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 ``Dr. Rudy Lombard Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Comer) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COMER. 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 
gentleman from Kentucky?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which names a New 
Orleans post office for Dr. Rudolph Joseph Lombard.
  Dr. Lombard was born and raised in New Orleans and grew up witnessing 
discrimination in New Orleans which inspired him to become a leading 
activist.
  As a college student of Xavier University, he organized a sit-in in 
1960 at McCrory's Five and Dime store to protest Jim Crow laws.
  Dr. Lombard's activism led to the landmark Supreme Court case, 
Lombard v. Louisiana, which overturned related charges and set a 
critical precedent for striking down segregation laws.
  Dr. Lombard was dedicated to justice and equality. However, he is a 
lesser-known leader in the civil rights movement due to his humility.
  Today the U.S. House publicly recognizes his contributions.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
support this bipartisan legislation, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 996, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3901 MacArthur 
Boulevard in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the Dr. Rudy Lombard Post 
Office.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. 
Carter), my distinguished colleague.
  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the 
opportunity to speak.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true American hero, a 
Louisiana legend, Dr. Rudy Lombard.
  My bill, H.R. 996, would designate the post office located at 3901 
MacArthur Boulevard in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the heart of Algiers, 
where the Lombard and Carter families grew up for multiple generations, 
as the Dr. Rudy Lombard Post Office.
  This is a testament to the unforgettable legacy Dr. Lombard left on 
our city and our Nation. Born in my hometown of Algiers in 1939, Rudy 
Lombard was known for his determination to make a difference.
  As a young college student at Xavier University, Dr. Lombard was a 
pillar of strength during the height of segregation. His leadership was 
evident when he fearlessly commanded the CORE Four in a sit-in at 
McCrory's Five and Dime, challenging the unjust shackles of Jim Crow 
laws.
  Their journey to the Supreme Court in 1963 in the landmark Lombard v. 
Louisiana case was not just a legal triumph but a pivotal movement in 
the fight against segregation, setting precedents that broke down 
discriminatory practices.
  Dr. Lombard's commitment to equality extended far beyond those early 
years. Decade after decade, he stood in the forefront addressing 
inequities in civil rights, challenging economic and cultural 
empowerment, and tirelessly advocating for public health.
  His life was a testament to the power of one individual to spark 
change and to build coalitions to stand against injustices.
  Today, we are not just bestowing an honor on a distinguished 
individual, we are cementing a legacy, recognizing a man whose life 
exemplified leadership by example.
  Dr. Lombard was not only a standard-bearer, but he was also a force 
for positive change, a catalyst for movements that brought people 
together.
  In leading this bipartisan initiative, I am honored to stand beside 
the entire Louisiana Congressional Delegation who recognize the 
importance of preserving Dr. Lombard's memory.
  I personally thank my colleagues for standing with me. I pray this 
serves as a reminder to future generations that the struggle for 
justice is, in fact, real and the impact for one's personal commitment 
can resonate across the ages. Yes, one person can make a difference. 
Dr. Rudy Lombard certainly has done just that for generations and 
generations to come, with his courage, his leadership, and his 
commitment.
  This honor today is a small token to recognize and pay homage to his 
great leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, may we all strive to emulate the spirit of Dr. Rudy 
Lombard in our service to the American people. I urge a favorable 
passage.
  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from New 
Orleans for his eloquent words about Dr. Lombard. May I add, not only 
was

[[Page H4943]]

he a hero to the people of New Orleans and Louisiana, but he was also a 
nationally recognized civil rights advocate who was the vice president 
of CORE when he was a student at Xavier University. He is remembered 
for leading a 1960 sit-in at McCrory's Five and Dime store to 
peacefully protest Jim Crow in Louisiana with a group of people 
famously known as the ``CORE Four.''
  So the naming of this post office will be an opportunity not just for 
the people of his city and State, but for the people of the United 
States to recognize him.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Comer) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 996.
  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.

                          ____________________