| By U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas)-Remarks Highlighted
Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1740) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1502 East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas, Texas, as the ``Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 1740
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DR. CAESAR A.W. CLARK, SR. POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) DESIGNATION.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1502 East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas, Texas, shall be known and designated as the ``Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. 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 Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. Post Office Building.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner).
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 1740, introduced by the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1502 East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas, Texas, as the Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. Post Office Building. The entire delegation from the State of Texas has cosponsored this legislation.
Madam Speaker, by renaming this post office for Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark, this House will commemorate a remarkable American. Dr. Clark has served as the venerated pastor of Good Street Baptist Church in Dallas for over 50 years and is well known throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. At 88 years of age, Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark still preaches on Sundays at Good Street Baptist Church. He has delivered his vibrant sermons all over the world during his extraordinary career in the clergy. In addition, he has served as president of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas and as vice president of the National Baptist Convention.
Growing up, Caesar Clark could not continue in school past the seventh grade because his help was too valuable to the family farm. He ultimately educated himself during his teenage years and earned admittance to Bishop College from which he graduated in 1946. In 1950, he became pastor at Good Street Baptist.
While his professional focus has always been squarely on the valued worshippers at Good Street Baptist, Dr. Clark is also an involved community leader who continues to enjoy membership on the Boy Scouts of America Advisory Committee and the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Dr. Clark played an active role in our Nation's civil rights struggle. Perhaps most notably he was responsible for drawing Dr. Martin Luther King to his church in 1958 for his first of many speeches in Dallas.
Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark's life is one of dedicated service, compassion, faith, and devotion. For all these reasons, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 1740, which names this Dallas post office building after Dr. Clark. I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for introducing this important legislation.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I might note that the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) is returning from the Persian Gulf and is unable to be here at the moment with us. I would read her statement into the RECORD:
H.R. 1740, Legislation to Designate the Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. Post Office. The Honorable EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas in the House of Representatives.
``Madam Speaker, H.R. 1740 designates a post office located at 1502 East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas, Texas, as H.R. 1740 enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire Texas delegation.
``Madam Speaker, during his 50-year tenure of the Good Street Baptist Church, Reverend Caesar A.W. Clark has provided a wealth of services to thousands of Dallas residents. Leading by example is how Reverend Clark became a pillar of the Dallas community. As an early pioneer in the civil rights movement, Reverend Clark was responsible for the first visit to Dallas by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Following that 1958 visit, Reverend Clark continued to work to end segregation in Dallas.
``We honor Reverend Clark, a nationally renowned member of the clergy, humanitarian and respected leader that Ebony magazine has twice named one of the 15 ``Outstanding Black Preachers in America.'' Under his leadership at Good Street Baptist Church, the church has progressively grown by establishing two day care centers, a free legal clinic, and a federally assisted complex for the elderly. Of particular note in the 1950s, a time when credit was expensive and loan sharks took advantage of people, Reverend Clark organized to create a church credit union. Today, the Good Street Baptist Church has more than $1.2 million in assets and serves nearly 1,500 members and their families. Indeed, this is an honor for Reverend Clark who has served as a vice president of the National Baptist Convention and president of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas. He has been a source of spiritual inspiration for some of Dallas' oldest African American families and many of our political and civic leaders. While sharing knowledge with residents and cultivating their humility, he is still dedicated to his congregation and to his daily work at Good Street Baptist.
``The designation of this post office acknowledges Reverend Clark's outstanding contributions as pastor at Good Street Baptist Church for more than 5 decades.
``Born in 1914 in Louisiana, Reverend Clark was subjected to a `Jim Crow' South, a time when nearly all African Americans were not allowed an equal opportunity to receive a quality education. Determined to not let adversity remain a barrier, Reverend Clark studied independently and gained admission to Bishop College. Reverend Clark graduated from there in 1946.
``Reverend Clark is known throughout the State of Texas as a remarkable pastor and dedicated leader who views the community as extended family. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.
``Madam Speaker, we wish to congratulate Reverend Clark on the designation of this post office and for his many years of service and dedication to the Good Street Baptist Church and citizens of Dallas. His achievements are an inspiration to all of us.''
I commend the gentlewoman from Texas for extending to the good reverend this honor.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is an honor and privilege to make this statement on behalf of legislation I sponsored honoring a great Texan and American.
H.R. 1740 designates a post office located at 1502 East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas, Texas, as the Ceasar A.W. Clark Post Office. H.R. 1740 enjoys the support and co-sponsorship of the entire Texas delegation.
Madam Speaker, during his 50 year tenure of the Good Street Baptist Church, Reverend Ceasar A.W. Clark has provided a wealth of services to thousands of Dallas residents. Leading by example is how Rev. Clark became a pillar of the Dallas community. As an early pioneer in the civil rights movement, Rev. Clark was responsible for the first visit to Dallas by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Following that 1958 visit, Rev. Clark continued to work to end segregation in Dallas.
I rise to honor Rev. Ceasar Clark, a nationally renown member of the clergy, humanitarian, and respected leader Ebony magazine has twice named one of the fifteen ``Outstanding Black Preachers in America''. Under his leadership at Good Street Baptist Church, the church has progressively grown by establishing two day care centers, a free legal clinic and a federally assisted complex for the elderly. Of particular note in the 1950's, a time when credit was expensive and loansharks took advantage of people, Rev. Clark organized to create a church credit union.Today, the Good Street Baptist Church has more than $1.2 million in assets and serves nearly 1,500 members and their families.
Indeed this is an honor for Rev. Clark, who has served as a Vice President of the National Baptist Association of Texas. He has been a source of spiritual inspiration for some of Dallas' oldest African-American families and many of our political and civil leaders. While sharing knowledge with residents and cultivating their humility, he is still dedicated to his congregation and to his daily work at Good Street Baptist.
The designation of this post office acknowledges Rev. Clark's outstanding contributions as pastor at Good Street Baptist Church for more than five decades.
Born in 1914 in Louisiana, Rev. Clark was subjected to a ``Jim Crow'' south, a time nearly all African-Americans were not allowed an equal opportunity to receive a quality education. Determined to not let adversity remain a barrier, Rev. Clerk studied independently and gained admission into Bishop College. Rev. Clark graduated from there in 1946.
Rev. Clark is known throughout the state of Texas as a remarkable pastor and dedicated leader, who views the community as extended family. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.
Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate Rev. Clark on the designation of this post office and for his many years of service and dedication to the Good Street Baptist Church and citizens of Dallas.
His achievements are an inspiration to us all.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for introducing this legislation. I urge all Members to support the adoption of this measure.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. She represents the 30th Congressional District, which includes downtown Dallas, Northeast, East Oak Cliff & Pleasant Grove; all of Balch Springs, De Soto, Lancaster & Hutchins and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Glen Heights, Wilmer and Ovilla.
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