Chaka Fattah

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in relationship to H.R. 4157, a piece of legislation to honor Matthew Robinson with the naming of a Post Office in Pasadena, California. I would like to first of all indicate that unlike all of the other bills that we have brought before this House during my time as the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Postal Service, this bill apparently as of yet does not have all of the cosponsorships that we would require.

Mr. FATTAH. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. FATTAH. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from New York for illuminating the Record. Let me continue with my statement. I think that this House should not be mired down in a foolish consistency on these types of policies, especially when it relates to a gentleman like Matthew Robinson, who has been an extraordinary citizen of our country and who has faced many obstructions. Not only was he an Olympic athlete, and it is true that we could recount all of the facets of his life, but one I want to point to in speaking in relationship to H.R. 4157 is that it is true that the city of Pasadena just honored both Matthew and his brother, Jackie Robinson, but it is also true that when he returned to that city to work there in the city, he was fired at a time when all African-American employees were fired by the city of Pasadena as part of litigation related to desegregation and other matters taking place in California at that time. I do not think that this House would serve itself well to delay this legislation as a result of the inability of the sponsor to get all of the i's dotted and t's crossed. I think what is most important is that this is someone who deserves this honor, and that we should move with haste to honor him in this respect. I rise therefore in support of this legislation, and would hope that before it becomes a finality through this process, that there will be a time in which the entire delegation will have the opportunity to be cosponsors. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me in conclusion just say that, as is the case too often, there is an irony in the life of the gentleman who we honor. Matthew Mack Robinson, who represented this country in Hitler's Berlin at the Olympics as an African American, came home to this country and his home city, working as a City employee, was fired summarily with every other African American who worked for the City at that time. Things have changed, because time and effort and circumstances have helped bring a more enlightened leadership to our Nation. In many ways, the same doors that opened for his brother Jackie Robinson in some respects opened for Matthew Robinson. But the City of Pasadena has seen fit to honor him with a statute along with his brother, and, in some ways, that perhaps makes some amends for the travesty of justice that he was subjected to. But, nonetheless, his life, moving from Georgia to California, starting out in a technical high school, on to a junior college, and after the Olympics, to the University of Oregon, his work as a community leader and as a public-spirited citizen, it is fitting that this Congress honor him through this legislation. I ask that all of my colleagues support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4554, a bill to designate a post office in Philadelphia after Joseph F. Smith, a former Member of this body. If I can take some liberties, before I speak on the bill, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank a departing staff member of mine, Neil Snyder, who is here on the floor, who has served as my legislative director since I came to the Congress. He is moving on to a brighter future, and I want to wish him and his wife all the best. He is someone who was from my district back home, but has had a great deal of impact on the legislative successes we have had here in the House, and I would hope that my colleagues would join with me in wishing him well. This legislation to honor Joe Smith, who served both in the Pennsylvania State Senate, where I served, and here in the Congress, is someone who, as has been mentioned by the gentleman from New York, has been much more than a lawmaker. He also served in the United States Armed Forces, fought in World War II and received the Purple Heart. He could have probably received a few other Purple Hearts for the rough and tumble of Philadelphia politics that he had to endure through his many years and decades of service in Philadelphia as a ward leader and other various positions. There is no one better qualified, more uniquely situated to speak on the life and legacy of Mr. Smith, or Chairman Smith, than my colleague, the gentleman from Philadelphia (Mr. Brady), who is not only the Member of Congress representing the first district but also serves now as the chairman of the same Democratic party that Joe Smith served as chairman of. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady) to speak on this legislation.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume by saying that the senior Congressman and chair of the Philadelphia delegation here in the Congress, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski), is the prime sponsor of this legislation and is someone who served with Joe Smith when he was here in the Congress. The gentleman from Pennsylvania could not be with us here on the floor at this moment, Mr. Speaker, but he will be entering a statement into the Record. Let me finally thank the gentleman from New York, the chairman of the subcommittee. It is as always a pleasure to work with the gentleman as we move this type of legislation through the House. And I congratulate him on yesterday's passage of the semipostal bill, which is an important piece of legislation having to do with postal services here in our country and the benefit for charitable causes. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to concur in the comments of the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), chairman of the Subcommittee on Postal Service, and I rise in support of H.R. 4517. This is another example of someone who has had a distinguished career and obviously someone who really helped open the door to space travel, being the first American in 1959, which is a long time ago, but when he started out, and then later on in 1963 and throughout his career with NASA, has demonstrated a type of courage and determination for the exploration of space. I think this is appropriate, and I want to thank the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Sununu), the prime sponsor of this legislation, for bringing this forward. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4430 for the naming of this post office. Also, to speak in general in terms of the post office naming bills that are in front of us today which I hope will receive positive support here on the House floor. Three of these four have met the committee requirement for complete delegation sponsorship. One has not, but will be the subject of some dialogue, I am sure, about that. But nonetheless, all honor very worthy Americans. The gentleman that this bill would seek to name a post office in honor of is someone who has served our country well. Even though born in Mexico, he served in the Armed Forces, was seriously wounded, and is still serving our government in the selective service system. We are going to hear more about him from the prime sponsor; but as for my side of the aisle, we fully support this legislation and hope that it receives the support that will ensure its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes) to speak on this important legislation.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I reiterate that not only did this gentleman serve and provide extraordinary relief to a number of his colleagues during his tour of duty in Vietnam, but his continued service, both with the Drug Enforcement Administration and with the INS and now with the Selective Service, shows a continuing commitment to be a citizen of our country that is committed to providing public service. I want to just say that of the 40-some thousand Post Offices in our country, very few are named in honor of anyone, but this is a gentleman who not only do we honor, but I think we honor ourselves by naming this Post Office in Maryland in his honor.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4447, which designates a U.S. post office located at 919 West 34th Street in Baltimore, Maryland after ``Samuel H. Lacy, Sr.'' was introduced by Congressman Elijah Cummings on May 17, 2000. Samuel H. Lacy, Sr., is a renowned sports writer and editor for the Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper, a position he has held since 1944. He has spent 60 years in journalism, working in radio, television, and print media. At 96 years young, Mr. Lacy still authors a weekly column for the Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper. He has served as a Sports Commentator for WBAL-TV in Baltimore and a Sports and Managing editor for the Washington Tribune. Mr. Lacy has covered six Olympic Games, including the games in Los Angeles and is most proud of receiving the Frederick Douglass Award for excellence in journalism. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in expressing support for H.R. 4447, which would name a post office after a truly talented and dedicated man, Mr. Lacy. I urge swift passage of this bill.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. I would just advise my colleague that my daughter is in my office, and I have been holding her up, so I am going to yield the remainder of the time for another member of the committee to manage the last remaining bill.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to thank once again my colleagues, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush) in particular, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for bringing the life and legacy of Mr. McGee forward to this House in this way. I think that among the many, many pieces of legislation that we will pass in this session naming post office facilities, this one is more appropriate than most in the sense that this gentleman worked his entire life in the postal service making sure that the mail, notwithstanding the weather, was delivered and delivered accurately. He is a gentleman who has a great and varied background, including his work on the board of the children's literacy effort in Illinois, which is something that I appreciate and admire him for. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), another gentleman who is a member of the Illinois delegation and most importantly in reference to this legislation is a member of the Subcommittee on Postal Service, and serves with both the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) and myself and provides a great deal of leadership on the committee.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, H.R. 3909, and to further extend upon the remarks of the gentleman from New York (Chairman McHugh). I want to thank him for his efforts to bring this legislation to the forefront. It is true that Mr. McGee is someone vastly deserving of this honor. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush) to speak on this matter, the prime sponsor of this bill.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I join in the remarks that have been made. I have not served with the gentlewoman from Nevada. I would add just that I think it is entirely appropriate that this legislation receive a unanimous support here in the House. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4169 and would join in the remarks made by the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh). This is an appropriate honor for a former colleague. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre) who serves on the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Armed Services and has been the person on our side of the aisle most responsible for this legislation.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation which will provide much needed postage rate relief for nonprofit mailers. The measure will protect nonprofit or preferred mailers from double-digit rate increases. My legislation is identical to legislation introduced in the Senate, S. 2686, on June 7, 2000, by Senator Thad Cochran, the Chairman, and Senator Daniel K. Akaka, the Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Subcommittee on International Security Proliferation and Federal Services. I am pleased to be joined in the introduction of this bill by Congressman Steny H. Hoyer, Ranking Minority Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service and General Government, and Congressman Danny K. Davis and Congressman Major R. Owens, both members of the Subcommittee on the Postal Service. The practice of designating certain types of mail for preferred rates was initiated by the Congress over 50 years ago. In 1993, deficit reduction legislation eliminated federal financial support for nonprofit mailers, but mandated that nonprofit rates be lower than rates for commercial mailers. In January of this year, the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors proposed postage rate increases for all classes of mail. The USPS formally filed the rate request which is pending before the Postal Rate Commission (PRC). Under the current rate request, rates for nonprofits will surpass rates for corresponding commercial mail. The USPS attributed the increase to inaccurate cost data. However, to its credit, the Postal Service has requested and proposed legislation to fix the ``rate anomaly.'' Without the legislation, the nonprofit periodical preferred rate will disappear. The Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, the Magazine Publishers of America, National Federation of Nonprofits, Direct Marketing Association, and the Association of Postal Commerce have worked with the USPS to draft an acceptable legislative solution to the nonprofit rate problem in the current rate case before the PRC. The compromise between nonprofit and commercial postage rates, is supported by the above organizations. By locking in the current rate relationship between nonprofit and commerical postage rates, we will protect all categories of nonprofit mail from future rate shock. Specifically, the bill would set nonprofit and classroom Periodical rates at 95 percent of the commercial counterpart rate, excluding the advertising portion, set nonprofit Standard A rates at 60 percent of the commercial Standard A rates, and set Library and Educational Matter rates at 95 percent of the rates for the special subclass of commercial Standard B mail. On behalf of local charities, hospitals, churches, educators, arts organizations, nonprofit publications, and a host of others, the original cosponsors and I, invite my colleagues to protect nonprofit mailers and support this bill.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).