[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15792]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCING A BILL TO DESIGNATE THE ``DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. POST 
                      OFFICE'' IN PORTLAND, OREGON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 19, 2009

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located as 
630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue in Northeast Portland, Oregon as the 
``Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office.'' This post office shall 
serve to remind us of the civil rights leader who inspired a nation and 
served as a catalyst for change. Our nation has come a long way since 
the days of the civil rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 
dream of equality and brotherhood between all people continues to 
inspire.
  In fact, this bill is a result of a community effort led by local 
letter carriers Jamie Partridge and Isham Harris. In 2007, Mr. 
Partridge and Mr. Harris collected employee signatures supporting this 
naming, as well as letters of support from the Piedmont and Concordia 
Neighborhood Associations, and the Sabin Community Association.
  I am pleased to carry their effort forward and am proud that 
Representatives Wu, DeFazio, Walden, and Schrader, the full Oregon 
Congressional delegation, have joined as original cosponsors in the 
House. Senators Wyden and Merkley will soon introduce companion 
legislation in the Senate.
  Naming one of our community's postal facilities after one of the 
century's most inspiring leaders is a personal reminder of Dr. King's 
achievements and the work that remains to be done. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues to ensure the swift passage and enactment of 
this bill.

                          ____________________