Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2011, a bill to dedicate the Federal building and United States courthouse in Pine Bluff, Arkansas as the George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse.

   First I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar and Chairwoman Norton, Congressman Boustany, and others for their support and assistance in moving this bill from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in a bipartisan manner to the floor of the United States House of Representatives. I am also pleased that the entire Arkansas congressional delegation, Congressmen Marion Berry, Vic Snyder, and John Boozman, are supporting and cosponsoring this very important bill with me in a bipartisan way.

   Judge George Howard, Jr., was a great American who served his country in the State of Arkansas with great dignity. He was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he practiced law and actively served in the community for over 40 years. He attended Lincoln University in Missouri and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he received his law degree in 1954, among the first African Americans to graduate from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Law School.

   During World War II, he chose to serve his country by enlisting in the Navy. Judge Howard was known to be a pioneer throughout his career as he became the first African American in the State of Arkansas to serve on the State Claims Commission, State Supreme Court, the court of appeals, and eventually rising to become the first African American Federal judge for the U.S. District Court in Arkansas.

   Judge Howard was the first African American member of the State Supreme Court, appointed by then Governor David Pryor in 1977 before being appointed to the State court of appeals by then Governor Bill Clinton in 1979.

   As a judge, George Howard, Jr. was admired for his fairness and deep belief in the fundamental idea of justice for all. Judge Howard will forever be remembered as a dedicated public servant who cared deeply about his faith, his family, his work, his State, his country, and the judicial process.

   In respect to Judge Howard's life, career and public service, I felt that it was appropriate to introduce legislation in Congress to dedicate the Federal building and courthouse in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as the ``George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse.''

   Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better way to recognize his legacy and his steadfast commitment to justice and equality than by officially renaming this Federal building and courthouse in the city he loved and called home, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

   His life and service have paved the way for so many others who pursue careers in public service and law. His life and service opened many doors for African Americans throughout Pine Bluff in southeast Arkansas.

   Judge Howard passed away on April 21, 2007. He will forever be remembered and his contributions to the State of Arkansas and our Nation live on. It is my hope that each person who walks through the doors of the George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and Courthouse in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, will have an even greater appreciation for the countless contributions Judge Howard made in the lives of people across the State of Arkansas. May this courthouse that hopefully will soon bear his name serve as a reminder to all of us that while he is no longer with us, the example, the shining example, of community service, public service, and of being fair to all people can live on.

   This recognition will serve as a reminder to young people in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and to future generations that committing one's self to education, hard work, and pursuing a career in public service can be good and noble.

   I am proud to sponsor this bill in Congress, and I urge my fellow colleagues to vote in favor of it today.