To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 607 Pershing Drive in Laclede, Missouri, as the "General John J. Pershing Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3855) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 607 Pershing Drive in Laclede, Missouri, as the ``General John J. Pershing Post Office''.

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 the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3855, which honors one of our Nation's greatest patriots and champions of freedom, General John Joseph Pershing. This legislation designates the U.S. Postal Service facility in Laclede, Missouri, as the General John J. Pershing Post Office.

John Joseph Pershing was born on September 13, 1860, in Linn County, Missouri. As a teenager, Pershing became a teacher at a school for African American children in Laclede. While later teaching at Prairie Mound, he entered and won a competitive examination for an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, enrolling in 1882.

Pershing was only average in his studies at West Point, but he excelled in leadership roles and displayed extraordinary soldierly qualities. Pershing held the highest possible rank in the Cadet Battalion each year; and in 1886 he was elected president of his class, and he graduated as senior cadet captain, the highest honor at West Point.

Mr. Speaker, General Pershing worked his entire life to protect and preserve freedom. His nickname, Black Jack, dates from his service with the 10th Cavalry, a unit of the Buffalo Soldiers in Montana. It became a subtle accolade to both him and the Buffalo Soldiers he fought with and praised. Pershing took the nickname with pride as an honor to the soldiers that he fought with. He was concerned about the welfare of all soldiers, especially minorities; and as a result of his service in the 10th Cavalry, Pershing remained instrumental in coordinating minority organizations throughout his entire military career.

Mr. Speaker, General Pershing was a man who consistently praised his soldiers and understood their commitments to freedom and to this great Nation. Despite his numerous awards and honors, General Pershing was a man of humility.

He was promoted to brigadier general in 1906 over 862 senior officers. As a major general, Pershing was appointed commander of the American Expeditionary Forces following the U.S. declaration of war against Germany.

The Regular Army at that time consisted of only 25,000 men, and there was no reserve core as we know it today. General Pershing literally organized an army from scratch. And within a year and a half, the national Army consisted of approximately 2.5 million men, a result of recruiting and training programs initiated by Pershing. These same programs stood as a model for the mobilization training plan of World War II.

Following the Great War, General Pershing became chief of staff to the U.S. Army in 1921. Up until his death, he worked to ensure American forces were prepared in a changing global environment. He was truly ahead of his time as our Nation came to realize our importance on the global stage.

Mr. Speaker, General Pershing's service to this country in World War I was so phenomenal that the 66th Congress revived the rank called the General of the Armies of the United States. General Pershing was appointed to that office on September 3, 1919. He accepted the appointment on September 8 of that year and retired with that rank on his birthday in 1924.

General Pershing passed away on July 15, 1948, at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. He was a great American. He stands as an inspiration to all those who have served this great Nation in our Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Missouri for honoring General Pershing. This post office will stand as a testament to his dedication to freedom and as a permanent token of appreciation from a grateful Nation. I encourage all Members of the House to support H.R. 3855.

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

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman

from Missouri (Mr. Graves) and urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3855, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the House Government Reform Committee, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 3855, legislation naming a postal facility in Laclede, Missouri, after General John J. ``Blackjack'' Pershing. This measure, which was introduced by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) on February 26, 2004, and unanimously reported by our committee on March 4, 2004, enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire Missouri delegation.

John Pershing was born in a small town in Missouri in 1860. He graduated from West Point and served in the Spanish-American War, the Philippines Insurrection, the Mexican Expedition, and was the overall American commander in Europe during World War I.

Long on experience and recognized as a celebrated hero and soldier, the United States Congress honored John Pershing by creating a new title, General of the Armies. And following the war, he served as Army chief of staff.

General Pershing died in Washington D.C. at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. His funeral, held at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery, was attended by thousands of Americans as well as leaders of government and the military. He was buried according to his wishes, under a simple white grave stone in section 34 near the grave sites of his Doughboys from World War I.

Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a fitting honor to name the postal facility in Missouri after General Pershing, especially one who was so celebrated for his great courage, exceptional ability, and the ability to command troops from different races and backgrounds at a time unheard of.

I support this resolution and urge its swift passage.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 2, 2004, at 10:15 a.m., in closed session to receive a briefing on the situation in Iraq.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on ``The Role of State Securities Regulators in Protecting Investors.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce,

Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at 9:30 a.m. on fire fighting aircraft.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at 2:30 p.m. on nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 2, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., to hold a hearing on the Greater Middle East Initiative.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at 10 a.m. to hold a business meeting to consider pending Committee business.