[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 94 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3564-H3565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CHARLESETTA REECE ALLEN POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5985) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 517 Seagaze Drive in Oceanside, California, as the 
``Charlesetta Reece Allen Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5985

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

     SECTION 1. CHARLESETTA REECE ALLEN POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 517 Seagaze Drive in Oceanside, 
     California, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Charlesetta Reece Allen 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 ``Charlesetta Reece Allen Post Office 
     Building''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may 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 Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which 
would rename a post office in Oceanside, California, for Ms. 
Charlesetta Reece Allen.
  Ms. Allen opened the first Black-owned storefront and restaurant in 
Oceanside and was the first president of the north San Diego County 
branch of the NAACP and founded the Oceanside Girls Club.
  She was a trailblazer for the Black community in Oceanside, and her 
contributions improved the lives of residents of North County. I fully 
support naming the historic Oceanside post office after pioneer, 
activist, and local community leader, Charlesetta Reece Allen.
  Mr. Speaker, 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 very strong support of H.R. 5985.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Levin), my good friend, for any remarks he may choose to make.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5985. This 
legislation, which I introduced last fall, would name the United States 
Post Office on Seagaze Drive in Oceanside after Charlesetta Reece 
Allen.
  In addition to being one of the first Black residents of Oceanside, 
Ms. Allen was a pioneer and community leader. She was a businesswoman, 
a church pastor, and founder of the Oceanside Girls Club.
  I can think of no better honor than to permanently recognize her in 
our community. Ms. Allen was born in Texas in 1913 and came to 
Oceanside in the 1930s.
  Soon after moving to Oceanside, Charlesetta began engaging with her 
community. She started catering food for her neighbors out of her home 
and eventually opened the first Black-owned storefront in Oceanside, a 
restaurant which served as a popular social gathering spot for 
residents who started to arrive during and after World War II.
  Throughout her time in Oceanside, Ms. Allen was dedicated to feeding 
and caring for the marines stationed at Camp Pendleton.
  She went on to found the Oceanside Girls Club where she served as 
director.

[[Page H3565]]

  Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Eddie Parks, the 
nephew of Ms. Allen and an Oceanside resident. He spoke very highly of 
his aunt, emphasizing her long-lasting impact on the Oceanside 
community and his gratitude for the opportunity to honor her. He is 
thrilled to see his aunt recognized in a space used by so many in our 
community.
  I am touched by the deep ties that Ms. Allen and her family have to 
Oceanside, and I am honored to represent the community that still 
benefits from her legacy. If passed, this legislation will not only 
honor Ms. Allen as an Oceanside resident and community leader, but it 
will also continue to display the commitment our community shares to 
honoring those who have done so much for us.
  As a community that serves and is served by Camp Pendleton, Oceanside 
holds this value in its DNA.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my fellow Californians who have joined me in 
support of this legislation. I urge the remainder of my colleagues to 
vote in favor of H.R. 5985 to name the Oceanside Seagaze Post Office 
after the remarkable Charlesetta Reece Allen, who dedicated her life 
fighting for equal justice and freedom in Oceanside and beyond. It is 
the least we can do to honor someone who did so much for our community.
  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from 
California for his thoughtful remarks, I urge passage of H.R. 5985, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this 
bill, honoring a true pillar of the community who dedicated herself to 
advancing justice and freedom for all, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5985.
  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.

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