To designate the United States courthouse located at 101 North Fifth Street in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the "Ed Edmondson United States Courthouse".

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored and pleased to support H.R. 1668, a bill I introduced to designate the courthouse in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the Ed Edmondson United States Courthouse. Congressman Edmondson devoted his life to the service of the country and people of Oklahoma. It was a call to service that many members of his family, past and present, have answered.

Congressman Edmond A. Edmondson was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, on April 7, 1919. And after graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1940, he came to Washington, D.C. to study law at Georgetown University. While working on his studies, he became a tour guide at the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was quickly elevated to clerk and then special agent. His studies and service to the FBI were interrupted by a call to higher duty in the Navy during World War II where he served for 25 months in the South Pacific. During the war he met and married his lovely wife, June, who was serving as a WAVE in the war effort.

After the war, Congressman Edmondson's military service continued until 1970 in the United States Naval Reserve. After returning from the war and completing his education, Congressman Edmondson returned to Oklahoma to serve as county attorney in 1949, until he was elected to represent the people of the Second Congressional District of Oklahoma in 1952. During his time in Congress, he served on the Committee on Public Works and the Committee for Interior and Insular Affairs, until he left the House to run for the United Nations Senate in 1972.

As a member of the Committee on Public Works, he championed water projects, especially for arid Western lands. Congressman Edmondson was a supporter of programs of the new frontier and also a champion of veterans like himself. His political style helped lay the foundation for Oklahoma's conservative Democratic traditions.

He had a tremendous respect for public service and came from a politically active family. His brother, J. Howard Edmondson, served as the Governor of Oklahoma, and his work inspired many people, including two of his own sons, to make careers in the public sector and to work for the people of Oklahoma. His son, Drew Edmondson, is today the attorney general of Oklahoma; and his other son, Jim, is a State district judge in Muskogee County.

The naming of this Federal building in the honor of Ed Edmondson would commemorate his long-time service to his community and to his State. I ask Members' support for this legislation. I thank Members for the opportunity to commemorate this great Oklahoman with this honor.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1668) to designate the United States courthouse located at 101 North Fifth Street in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the ``Ed Edmondson United States Courthouse''.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1668, introduced by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Carson), designates the building located at 101 North Fifth Street in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the Ed Edmondson United States Courthouse.

Ed Edmondson was a life-long resident of Oklahoma. He attended the public schools of Muskogee, Muskogee Junior College, and the University of Oklahoma where he graduated in 1940. Following graduation, Congressman Edmondson joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation after 3 years with the FBI. He served in the Navy for 3 years and then 24 years in the Naval Reserve. During his service, Congressman Edmondson attended law school at Georgetown University. Upon his discharge from active duty and graduation from law school, Congressman Edmondson was admitted to the Washington, D.C. Bar Association. He then returned to Oklahoma to work in private practice and then as county attorney of Muskogee County.

In 1952, Congressman Edmondson was elected to the 83rd Congress and was reelected nine times, representing his home State for 20 years. After his service in the House, Congressman Edmondson returned to his native State and lived out his life in Muskogee where he passed away in 1990.

This is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant. I urge my colleagues in supporting passage.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I congratulate the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Carson) for shepherding this bill to the floor and its expected passage today.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 1668, which is at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1572 and H.R. 1668.