[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5523-5527]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  JULIA M. CARSON POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 5472) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, 
Indianapolis, Indiana, as the ``Julia M. Carson Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

[[Page 5524]]



                               H.R. 5472

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

     SECTION 1. JULIA M. CARSON POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, 
     Indianapolis, Indiana, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Julia M. Carson 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 Julia M. Carson Post Office Building.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 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. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the sponsor of the 
legislation, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky).
  Mr. VISCLOSKY. I appreciate the gentleman yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5472, a measure 
to name a post office in honor of our departed colleague and dear 
friend, Representative Julia Carson.
  I would like to thank the 46 Members of the House who agreed to 
support and cosponsor this measure, as well as Senator Bayh for 
introducing S. 2534, the Senate companion legislation.
  I would also like to acknowledge that Representative Meek and 
Representative David Scott have expressed their support, though they 
were unable to become official cosponsors of the measure due to its 
rapid movement out of committee. I would also be remiss if I did not 
thank the Chair and the ranking member of the full committee, as well 
as the ranking member and Chair of the subcommittee for considering the 
bill and reporting it out.
  Julia Carson was a tremendous human being. She passed away on 
December 15 after a life devoted to service. And as I pointed out last 
December, with the solstice upon us, the darkest day of the year, that 
Julia Carson was a light to everyone she came into contact with and 
certainly was a beacon in this House.

                              {time}  1115

  She could be tough, she could be gentle, but she was always 
effective.
  It is a tribute to her life and to her service to name this Federal 
facility after her. And I only speak for myself when I would say, 
however, that Julia is probably looking in on this, is honored, but 
asking, why aren't we out helping someone else right now, because that 
was her life. And I would hope that we all take this moment and this 
honor to rededicate ourselves to helping others along life's path as 
this great and wonderful and kind and gentle woman has done.
  Again, I thank the Chair and ranking member for their courtesy.
  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this legislation to designate 
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2650 Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, as the ``Julia 
M. Carson Post Office Building.''
  Julia May Carson dedicated her life to the service of this country. 
Her career in public service began in 1972 when she was elected to the 
Indiana State House of Representatives. This was the first of many 
victories to come.
  In her long and illustrious career, Julia never lost an election. In 
1976, Julia ran for the Indiana State Senate, where she served 14 
years. In 1990, she became the Trustee for the Center Township, a post 
she held for 6 years until she ran for the United States Congress, 
becoming both the first woman and the first African American to 
represent Indiana in Congress.
  As a daughter of a single mother who worked as a housekeeper and a 
graduate of a segregated public school in Indiana, Julia's background 
was very different from those of her fellow representatives, but in the 
10 years she served the Seventh District of Indiana, Julia never forgot 
her roots. She tried hard to represent the poor and the working class 
of Indiana, concentrated her energies on women's rights, children's 
issues, and efforts to reduce homelessness.
  Throughout most of her time in Congress, Julia battled significant 
health problems. She finally succumbed to a lifelong struggle with lung 
cancer in December, 2007 at the age of 69.
  In honor of her years of faithful service to her country and to the 
great State of Indiana, I ask my fellow Members to join me in support 
of this bill and rename the post office located at 2650 Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr. Street in Indianapolis, Indiana, in honor of her 
memory and long-lasting accomplishments.
  I would like to thank Mr. Visclosky for introducing this resolution 
and express my strong support for this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Donnelly) for 2 minutes.
  Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5472 to 
designate an Indianapolis postal facility after my late colleague, 
Congresswoman Julia Carson.
  A Hoosier icon, ``Ms. Carson,'' as her staff and friends admiringly 
called her, was both loved and respected by her district. She was 
living proof to them and to all of us that hard work and determination 
can take you very far in this country.
  Ms. Carson had persevered through some difficult times in American 
history, growing up in poverty and segregation, yet she rose up to 
serve more than 20 years in the Indiana State Legislature and for a 
decade here in the House of Representatives.
  It is fitting that the ``Julia M. Carson Post Office Building'' would 
be located on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street. Like Dr. King, Ms. 
Carson achieved much for civil rights, leading the drive to award civil 
rights icon Rosa Parks a Congressional Gold Medal and becoming both the 
first African American and the first woman to represent Indianapolis in 
the United States Congress.
  It is bittersweet today to honor Ms. Carson, as we all wish Julia was 
still here with us. However, we are blessed to have her grandson, 
Andre, as a colleague representing the Seventh District of Indiana.
  I am honored to offer my strong support for this bill.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to be recognized for as much time 
as I may consume.
  Representative Carson advocated and represented with distinction 
Indiana's Seventh Congressional District from 1997 until she passed 
away in the winter of 2007.
  The first woman and the first African American to represent Indiana's 
Seventh Congressional District, Congresswoman Carson worked her way up 
the ranks to be a prominent Member of this body and a friend and 
confidant to many of us.
  H.R. 5472 was first introduced by Carson's close colleague, 
Representative Peter Visclosky of Indiana, on February 14, 2008 and was 
considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on March 13, 
2008 by voice vote.
  The measure has the support of over 45 Members of Congress and 
affords us a chance to recognize and pay tribute before the American 
public to a woman whose life serves as a testimony to the American 
dream. Her story is an inspiration to those who face insurmountable 
odds and reminds us that we live in a country where anything can be 
accomplished with diligence in one hand and dedication in the other.
  Julia Carson was born in Louisville, Kentucky on July 8, 1938 to a 
single teenage mother. Despite her apparent disadvantages, 
Congresswoman Carson overcame the odds she was dealt by

[[Page 5525]]

fate and achieved extraordinary goals and objectives by faith.
  As a young girl, we learned that Congresswoman Carson shouldered a 
host of jobs in order to support her family, including waiting tables, 
delivering newspapers, and serving as a farm hand. In other words, our 
friend had to work for what she got and had to toil greatly to get 
where she got.
  Julia Carson was first introduced to politics in 1972 when 
Congressman Andy Jacobs encouraged her to run for the Indiana House of 
Representatives. She served as a member for 4 years, and then moved on 
to the Indiana Senate, where she held a seat for 14 years. In 1990, she 
was elected as a Trustee for Center Township of downtown Indianapolis 
and was responsible for running the welfare office. Over the course of 
merely 6 years, Carson managed to take a $20 million debt and turn it 
into a $6 million surplus.
  On November 25, 2007, it was reported that Julia Carson had been 
diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, which took her life. We are 
certainly at a loss for a dear colleague, and believe me, Julia Carson 
will be missed by this body.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Hill) for 2 minutes.
  Mr. HILL. I'd like to thank the gentleman for yielding his time.
  Mr. Speaker, I knew Julia Carson for more than 20 years. I served 
with her in the legislature, and I got to know her very well. She was a 
great public servant in the Indiana legislature and she was a great 
public servant in the Congress of the United States.
  Now, we've had several speakers here today, and I'm not going to 
repeat everything that they have said, but I would like to leave you 
with this departing thought about Julia:
  Julia had a difficult childhood; she had a difficult life growing up. 
I have talked to Julia many times about her reaching to the point where 
she became an elected official in the Indiana Legislature and she 
actually became a Member of Congress.
  I can't tell you how proud she was to be a Member of this august 
body. It was the highlight of her life. Other than her family, I don't 
think there was anything else that she felt better about than becoming 
a Member of Congress.
  I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that one of the biggest 
honors, and if Julia is looking from above, I know she's got a big 
smile on her face right now, and to have a post office named in her 
name would be the highlight of her career. And so it's with a great 
deal of happiness that I have the opportunity to speak on her behalf to 
acknowledge her great accomplishments in the Congress of the United 
States.
  We all know about Julia's political points of view, but more 
importantly, I think I want to leave with this body that she was so 
proud to be one of the Members of the Congress of the United States. 
And I know that she would be very proud to have this post office named 
in her honor.
  I rise today to honor one of Indiana's finest, Julia Carson. I knew 
Julia for more than 20 years, and am a better person for it. She was a 
dear friend and her spirit will unarguably live on not only in the 
halls of Congress, but in the neighborhoods of Indianapolis where she 
touched the lives of so many.
  I am pleased we are able to recognize her by dedicating a post office 
in her hometown of Indianapolis in her honor. She had an enormous 
presence in Indianapolis and was always striving to help those in need. 
Julia embodied the true meaning of a ``liberal''--a woman who was 
always fighting for those without a voice.
  She championed civil rights and walked alongside Martin Luther King, 
Jr. fighting for equality. She was to me, and so many others, a true 
hero. Julia was not only proud to be a Member of Congress and represent 
the fine people of Indianapolis, but she was constantly amazed at how 
far she had come.
  As many know, Julia had a difficult upbringing but only used those 
experiences to strengthen and shape her political views. Julia 
constantly reminded us all how fortunate we are to be Members of 
Congress. I am so honored to have known Julia for so many years and to 
have worked so closely with her.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, my colleague and friend, Julia, was an 
exemplary woman, a loyal patriot, and a formidable political force. She 
has also left us with someone who is just as capable as she. And at 
this time, I would like to recognize our new colleague, and her 
grandson, the gentleman from Indiana, Representative Carson, for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Thank you, Congressman Clay.
  Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank my dear friend, Senator 
Bayh, my colleague, Congressman Visclosky, and the entire Indiana 
delegation for supporting this important piece of legislation. I also 
would like to extend my sincere thanks to Subcommittee Chairman Danny 
Davis and his staff for all of their work in quickly bringing this bill 
to the floor for a vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today with a heavy heart, but also 
with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility. I am sad that my 
grandmother, former Congresswoman Julia Carson, is not able to be here 
on this wonderful occasion, but I am also deeply grateful that my 
colleagues have chosen to honor my grandmother by authorizing a postal 
facility in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana to be renamed the 
``Julia Carson Post Office Building.''
  Congresswoman Carson was many good things to many people in the 
Indianapolis area. Many will remember her as a staunch advocate for the 
poor from her years in the Indiana State legislature. Others will 
perhaps remember her for her efforts in helping needy children receive 
health care services. But I think, most importantly, many people will 
just remember her for being who she was, and that was a good person 
with a kind and caring heart.
  So I would like to thank again all of my colleagues who were 
instrumental in bringing this bill to the floor today, and I know that 
if my grandmother were here, she would thank you all.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, in memory of our dear colleague and courageous 
colleague, let us pass H.R. 5472 and designate the facility of the U.S. 
Postal Service located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, 
Indianapolis, Indiana, as the ``Julia M. Carson Post Office Building.''
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
designation of the Julia M. Carson Post Office Building in 
Indianapolis, IN.
  Congresswoman Carson was not only a colleague but also a dear friend. 
It is truly gratifying to me, and surely her family and the 
constituents of the 7th Congressional District of Indiana, that the 
House of Representatives would seek to recognize her in this special 
way.
  Congresswoman Carson's accomplishments in the House of 
Representatives are numerous. Most notably, her work to authorize a 
Congressional Gold Medal for Rosa Parks; sponsorship of an Amtrak 
reauthorization bill; and passage of language to improve the 
eligibility requirements for SCHIP, demonstrate her commitment to the 
needs of underserved people.
  Her book, My Neighbor as Myself, outlines a vision of how she felt 
we, as public servants, should serve our community. In this book she 
discussed the plight of our children and the need for ``powerful 
parenting'', providing ``responsible relief'' for the poor, job 
creation, economic empowerment, and community reentry. She was tireless 
in her efforts to advocate for people who are rarely able to advocate 
for themselves.
  Congresswoman Julia Carson will certainly be remembered in the halls 
of Congress for her character, humor, and unyielding commitment to 
oppressed and impoverished people. It is my hope that the naming of 
this post office after such a noble and honorable woman will inspire 
her story to continue to be told.
  In years to come, when the children of Indiana ask, ``Who was Julia 
Carson?'' may they learn the story of a woman who came from the same 
neighborhood, overcame the same struggles, and pushed for the rights of 
all in our Nation's capitol. May they learn of a heroine who 
accomplished great personal success but always remained mindful of who 
she was here to serve. I pray that the designation of this post office 
in the name of my dear friend will provide inspiration to those she 
worked tirelessly for in the House of Representatives.
  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of a dear

[[Page 5526]]

friend and respected colleague of mine, Representative Julia Carson, 
and strongly support the underlying bill, H.R. 5472, ``To designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2650 Dr. Martin 
Luther King Jr. Street, Indianapolis, IN, as the ``Julia M. Carson Post 
Office Building.''
  Born in poverty and racial segregation to a teenage single mother in 
1938, Julia Porter Carson worked her way up through politics to become 
one of the most influential people in central Indiana. Julia Carson had 
a long career as a public servant.
  In 1965, while working as a secretary at UAW Local 550, she was hired 
away by newly elected congressman Andy Jacobs to do casework in his 
Indianapolis office. When his own electoral prospects looked dim in 
1972, he encouraged Carson to run for the Indiana State House of 
Representatives, which she did; she was elected in 1972, serving as a 
member for 4 years. In 1976, she successfully ran for the Indiana State 
Senate.
  In 1990, she was elected as a trustee for Center Township that covers 
downtown Indianapolis, and was responsible for running welfare programs 
in central Indianapolis. Carson served 6 years as a trustee, creating a 
$6-million surplus from the office's $20-million debt. Carson employed 
an aggressive workfare program and anti-fraud procedures to quickly 
erase the enormous debt, while still providing much needed emergency 
services to the poor of Indianapolis. Her budget-balancing feat earned 
compliments from both sides of the political spectrum, including that 
of republican county auditor John Von Arx, who said, ``Julia Carson 
wrestled that monster to the ground.''
  In 1996, Julia Carson made history by becoming the first African-
American woman Indiana has ever sent to Congress. Despite all her 
accomplishments and success, she never forgot her roots; she always 
remained true to herself and her beliefs. With all her success and 
accomplishments, she could have moved to a better neighborhood but 
chose not to. To the day she died, Julia Carson's home telephone number 
was in the Indianapolis phone book.
  In all my years in Congress, I am not sure I can remember anyone as 
dedicated to their constituents as Julia was. She reached out to senior 
citizens, mothers of men and women serving in Iraq, crime victims and 
those struggling to pay the rent. She sent cards and routinely showed 
up at funerals and hospitals and front doors. She worked to find work 
for young men who were coming out of prison. She helped crime victims 
who were seeking justice.
  While I didn't always agree with Julia politically, I always enjoyed 
working with her and her welcoming smile. She was a great woman and a 
dedicated public servant. While I was lucky to serve with her in this 
body, I was luckier to call her my friend. It is right that we honor 
her in the community that she served by naming this post office in her 
memory.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 5472, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, 
Indianapolis, IN, as the ``Julia M. Carson Post Office Building,'' 
introduced by my distinguished colleague from Indiana, Representative 
Peter Visclosky. Through this important resolution, the House of 
Representatives will give final tribute to our colleague, sister, 
mentor and friend.
  As a member of this House, I have been privileged to work with some 
extraordinary men and women. Julia Carson was an extraordinary woman 
and an extraordinary champion of justice and equality. Julia Carson was 
a powerful force for change in this country and was an articulate 
champion for the poor, homeless and those who suffered from 
discrimination and racial injustice.
  As the first woman and first African-American elected to represent 
Indianapolis in Congress, Julia truly represented and will be 
remembered as an American hero. Julia was so keenly committed to those 
who could not speak for themselves and could not help themselves. A 
longtime legislator in the Indiana State Legislature and advocate for 
her community, Julia's history, by its very nature, directed her to the 
fight for those who, like herself, grew up with very little, but yet 
could look to this great country and actually believe that they could 
achieve their dreams.
  Julia Carson who grew up poor and lived through segregation was 
elected in 1996 to the U.S. House of Representatives. Among many, one 
of her biggest achievements came in 1999 when she successfully pushed 
through legislation granting the Congressional Gold Medal to Rosa 
Parks, the mother of the civil rights movement.
  Congresswoman Julia Carson lived her life to the fullest extent. She 
left few stones unturned. Her passion for family and community was 
unparallel. Though she was only a member of this body for 11 years, her 
life and legacy will last an eternity.
  Representative Carson was a true advocate for and of the people. For 
over 35 years she worked tirelessly for her community and she was the 
greatest example of humility, self-determination, fortitude, strength 
and resilience. She will always be remembered for her advocacy of the 
most disadvantaged and she will truly be missed.
  It is because of the legacy of Congresswoman Julia Carson that I rise 
today in support of the naming the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, 
Indianapolis, IN, as the ``Julia M. Carson Post Office Building''. 
Though Julia is no longer with us, we can still honor her.
  Mr. Speaker, we must never forget the life and legacy of a woman who 
touched the hearts and minds of so many. I urge my colleagues to join 
me in supporting this resolution.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
support designating the post office located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther 
King Jr. Street, Indianapolis, IN, as the Julia M. Carson Post Office 
Building.
  This past December, my friend and colleague, Julia Carson, lost her 
battle with cancer. She had devoted her life to public service and her 
loss is still felt greatly. Congresswoman Carson was an extraordinary 
person, and a woman of principle who unabashedly championed the issues 
in which she believed. Her constituents and the Nation have lost a 
great legislator and an outstanding leader.
  Congresswoman Carson made history in 1996 by becoming the first woman 
and the first African-American Indianapolis has ever sent to Congress. 
And she came to Congress with one mission--to improve the lives of the 
people of her community. Even as she rose to a position of prominence 
in this body, she never forgot the people she was sent here to serve. 
She truly dedicated her career to them--and for that, earned the 
respect and gratitude of all Americans.
  Since her days in the Indiana State Senate, Congresswoman Carson was 
committed to helping seniors live with independence and dignity as they 
age. Throughout her career, she has provided exceptional leadership and 
devoted service to America's senior citizens.
  Congresswoman Carson was also a strong proponent of civil rights 
movement, scaling the barriers imposed by poverty and sexism. She was a 
leader in advocating for voting rights, and worked diligently for the 
health and income needs of people experiencing homelessness and 
families at risk of homelessness.
  Today her grandson continues her legacy here within the House of 
Representatives. I know that this honor is very meaningful to the 
Carson family and to her constituents in the 7th District of Indiana, 
and I'm certain if Julia were here today she would be touched as well. 
This post office designation is a fitting honor for a woman so 
dedicated to public service, and I fully support this resolution.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my late 
great friend Congresswoman Julia M. Carson, a dedicated public servant 
from Indianapolis. I thank my colleague, Congressman Visclosky, for 
introducing a resolution to recognize her achievements by naming a post 
office in her honor in Indianapolis as the Julia M. Carson Post Office 
Building.
  Julia Carson was born on July 8, 1938 in Louisville, Kentucky and 
served in various elected offices. We first became colleagues when she 
was elected to the 105th Congress and served together until she passed 
away on December 15, 2007.
  As the first African American and first woman to be elected to 
Congress from Indianapolis, Julia Carson was a woman of outstanding 
ambition and achievements. Not only was Julia a star in her city of 
Indianapolis, but she was a star of the nation. Her many invaluable 
legislative contributions, including the recognition of Rosa Parks with 
a Congressional Gold Medal, were a testament to her star qualities. I 
hope that my colleagues realize what we lost when Julia passed away.
  Mr. Speaker, I can think of no one more deserving of this enduring 
recognition than Julia Carson. This resolution is fitting recognition 
for a tremendous woman who continued to deliver the truth until her 
final days. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution as we can 
all attest to her unprecedented devotion in serving her community and 
society.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 5471, naming a U.S. 
Post Office the ``Julia M. Carson Post Office Building.'' It is fitting 
and right that we recognize and honor the extraordinary life of our 
dear friend and former colleague Julia May Carson.
  It is also fitting that the Julia Carson building will be located at 
2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street in Indianapolis, Indiana.

[[Page 5527]]

  Like Dr. King, Congresswoman Carson championed the rights of the 
underprivileged, the underrepresented and the overlooked.
  Many people in Indiana and many of us in Congress need no help to 
remember the great woman that Julia Carson was or what her service 
meant to her community and the Nation.
  We came to depend on her determined leadership and commitment 
throughout her tenure in Congress. She was a true voice for the 
voiceless.
  I know that her legacy will be carried on through the work of her 
grandson, the newest member of Congress, Andre Carson.
  Naming this post office after Julia is the least that we can do to 
mark her dedication and service to the people of Indianapolis and a 
grateful nation.
  Her loyalty and her patriotism, her service and her love of our 
country will never be forgotten. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
5472.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5472, which 
designates the post office at 2650 Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, 
Indianapolis, Indiana as the ``Julia M. Carson Post Office Building'' 
in honor of my friend and former colleague, Congresswoman Julia Carson.
  Julia Carson was a tireless representative of the people of Indiana 
who served them from her position as a congressional aide in the 1960s 
to two terms in the Indiana House of Representatives to service in the 
Indiana Senate from 1976 to 1990. She vigorously pursued issues related 
to the needs of working men and women, public health, the environment, 
and fundamental justice. When the AIDS epidemic broke out, Mrs. Carson 
was one of the early champions of the right of the sick to be treated 
fairly as she worked to bring public understanding about the new 
illness.
  As a victim herself of discrimination in health care, which delayed 
the diagnosis and treatment of her heart disease, she was an ardent 
advocate for the elimination of all health disparities.
  Julia Carson coupled her career in public service with a 10-year 
stint in corporate America. As Marion County Center Township Trustee in 
1990, she saved the financially floundering office, earning the 
accolade of Indianapolis Woman of the Year from the Indianapolis Star 
for the second time in her career.
  Julia Carson came to Congress in 1996 and brought the same energy and 
enthusiasm to this body to which her constituents in Indiana had grown 
accustomed.
  As a Congresswoman, Julia Carson was proud of her vote against the 
Iraq War, her legislation that awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor 
to Rosa Parks, and her tireless advocacy for women, children, the 
homeless.
  After more than 40 years of service to the people of her district and 
the State of Indiana and indeed to the country as a whole, I join my 
colleagues in their overwhelming support of the Indianapolis post 
office being named in her honor.
  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the late and great 
former Congresswoman Julia Carson of the Seventh District of the State 
of Indiana who passed away on December 15, 2007.
  Julia Carson was the first woman and African-American to be elected 
to Congress by the Seventh District of the State of Indiana. She holds 
the title as the second woman to be elected by the State of Indiana, 
besides Katie Hall. She served in the Indiana House of Representatives 
for 4 years and the Senate for 14 years before moving on to a new 
position as a trustee for Center Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. She 
gained much respect and success as the trustee and was motivated by 
former Congressman Andy Jacobs to run for Congress in 1996.
  Her victory was marked by sheer success in the House of 
Representatives. Julia made a lot of good contributions to the House as 
being a firm supporter of children's health insurance, and by playing a 
key part insuring that Rosa Parks received a Congressional Gold Medal 
in her remembrance.
  She was a devoted member to the Congressional Black Caucus and to 
Congress as a whole. We will truly miss her and take all her wisdom 
with us as we move on to make right decisions for the American people.
  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
5472 which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, Indianapolis, IN, as 
the ``Julia M. Carson Post Office Building.''
  Congresswoman Carson was the first and only African-American and 
woman in Indiana's congressional delegation. An exceptionally 
courageous and strong woman, she looked a childhood of poverty and 
segregation in the eye and rose above it to represent Indiana for over 
35 years, first as an Indiana State representative and then as State 
senator before being elected to the United States Congress in 1996.
  Julia was able to use her life experiences to help others also 
overcome poverty, discrimination and illness. I had the honor of being 
part of the Congresswoman's initiative to raise awareness of 
hypertension and stroke. I will always remember her unrelenting 
advocacy of women's rights, children's health, affordable housing, and 
equality. She stood up for unpopular, but critical issues including 
expanding SCHIP in the late 1990s and, most recently, voting against 
the war in Iraq. It is thus not surprising that Ms. Carson was the only 
person to ever be named Woman of the Year by The Indianapolis Star on 
two different occasions.
  My strongest memory, however, is how Congresswoman Carson was a 
special and warm-hearted woman. She was one of the first to go out of 
her way to introduce herself to me when I first arrived at Congress in 
2001. With our birthdays just a few days apart in July, she always took 
time to greet me with a special tenderness. Her determination on policy 
issues was matched by a stylish flair and humor that consistently 
brought a smile to the faces of all in the room.
  Mr. Speaker, today I have the privilege in joining my colleagues in 
honoring this distinguished woman, good friend, and tireless advocate 
of the poor and working families by designating the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 
Street, Indianapolis, IN, as the ``Julia M. Carson Post Office 
Building.''
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great American, a 
colleague and most importantly, a friend. Julia Carson made a career of 
serving the public and was a tireless fighter for the working men and 
women of Indiana. Representative Carson worked her way up to become a 
prominent member of Congress and achieved extraordinary goals by 
overcoming a difficult childhood and beating the odds. Though I am 
unable to physically vote on this bill, I am honored and humbled to 
support the dedication of the ``Mapleton Annex Post Office,'' in 
Indianapolis, IN, to Representative Carson.
  This lifelong public servant will be remembered for her rise from 
poverty, her fighting spirit, and her great accomplishments, including 
her political victories. Among these achievements, Carson led Congress 
to pass a measure awarding Rosa Parks the Congressional Gold Medal, and 
she also cosponsored with Senator Richard Lugar legislation to remove 
bureaucratic bottlenecks on child health insurance.
  Carson was the first African American to represent the 7th District 
and the second African-American woman elected to Congress from Indiana, 
after the late representative Katie Hall. Congresswoman Carson's memory 
and legacy will live on through her grandson Andre Carson, now 
representing the 7th Congressional District of Indiana.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to have known Congresswoman Carson 
and this dedication to her is a tangible reminder to the Indiana 
community of her legacy and political success.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage 
of H.R. 5472 and 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. 5472.
  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. Mr. 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.

                          ____________________