To redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service, located at 315 Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, as the "James E. Davis Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1590) to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service, located at 315 Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``James E. Davis Post Office Building''.

Mr. 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.

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 1590, a bill sponsored by Senator Schumer of New York, names a postal facility in Brooklyn, New York, as the James E. Davis Post Office Building. My distinguished colleague on the Committee on Government Reform, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns), authored the House version of this postal naming bill, H.R. 3012. I commend both the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) and Senator Schumer for their work on this meaningful effort.

Mr. Speaker, James E. Davis was a devoted public official who lived and worked in Brooklyn all of his life. The son of a corrections officer himself, Davis became an officer in the New York Police Department in 1983. After nearly 2 decades on the police force, he was elected to the New York City Council in November of 2001. In that capacity Davis was able to utilize his dynamic public speaking ability. He truly had a gift for connecting with audiences and delivering messages that advocated non-violence.

Mr. Speaker, defeating crime and eliminating violence in inner-city New York were lifelong missions for James E. Davis both as a law enforcement and elected official. This reality made July 23, 2003, an even more ironically tragic day for New Yorkers as well as all Americans. On that afternoon, James Davis had invited a political rival to City Hall to attend a council meeting. Just after 2 o'clock, Councilman Davis' guest brandished a handgun and inexplicably shot Davis twice in the chest. Mr. Davis sadly passed away at a nearby hospital later that afternoon.

Mr. Speaker, many of us saw the story of James E. Davis' tragic murder in New York City Hall on national newscasts last summer. I want to join with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) and Senator Schumer in extending the sympathy of all Members of Congress to the family, friends, and supporters of James E. Davis. I am pleased that passage of this legislation will immortalize James E. Davis' contributions to his community and to the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of S. 1590.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I urge passage of S. 1590, and I urge all of my colleagues to join in support of this very worthwhile and appropriate measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, as the lead sponsor of the House version of S. 1590, I am pleased that we are considering this legislation today. S. 1590 would rename the post office located at 315 Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``James E. Davis Post Office Building.'' I would also like to note that this bill has been cosponsored by the entire New York delegation, and I would like to thank my colleagues from New York for doing so.

On that tragic day when Councilman James Davis of Brooklyn was murdered in a violent shooting in City Hall, New York City, we lost a true public servant. He was an intelligent, passionate, and energetic young man who had an extremely bright future. He worked very hard and took his duties as a public servant very, very seriously. He was only 41 years old and had served almost one term in the New York City Council. But he had already made his mark.

I met James through the Youth March Against Violence that he organized. His commitment to this issue was genuine.

However, when I think of him, I remember one of the last conversations we had, which I think really embodies his approach to public service. We were meeting with housing authority officials, and he told them we weren't there to point fingers at every one. But if we didn't work together to get thing done, we would all take the blame. Sound advice that I think all public officials should take to heart.

With James, it was always about the community. He was dedicated to its betterment, having served as a police officer and district leader before being elected to the city council. One could always see the love he had for his neighbors and constituents. Naming a post office after him would be a lasting tribute to all of his hard work for the community that he loved so much. While we still have a heavy heart for losing such a good friend, the James E. Davis post office can help us celebrate his life. I think I can speak for all of Brooklyn when I say that the James E. Davis post office is something that we will all be proud of.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand at this time as the designee for the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) on behalf of this resolution. I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of S. 1590, legislation naming a postal facility after the late James E. Davis.

S. 1509, which was introduced by Senator Schumer on September 8, 2003, was unanimously adopted by the Committee on Government Reform on November 6, 2003. An identical bill, H.R. 3012, sponsored by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) has the support and cosponsorship of the entire New York delegation.

Mr. James Davis was born in 1962 and graduated from Tilden High School in Brooklyn, New York in 1980. He obtained a degree from Pace University in 1989 and then joined the New York City Correctional Department. He became a police officer in 1991 and was assigned to the 73rd Precinct in Brooklyn. A youth officer, Mr. Davis served in the New York Police Department until he decided to enter the political arena in 1988 by running for assemblyman for the 43rd District. Although unsuccessful, he ran again and won office in November 2001, where he served as councilman for the 35th District.

Tragically, as we have just heard, Councilman Davis's life was cut short when he was gunned down in a violent shooting in the City Hall at the young age of 41.

Mr. Speaker, James Davis was a man of the community. He has dedicated his life to improving conditions in Brooklyn, New York, helping young people realize their dreams and stopping urban violence.

I commend my colleagues, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) and Senator Schumer for seeking to honor the legacy of Councilmember James Davis and urge the adoption of this bill.

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