To redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4025 Feather Lakes Way in Kingwood, Texas, as the "Congressman Jack Fields Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, it is a wonderful honor to join with my Republican and Democrat friends, the Texas delegation of this Chamber, to honor our former colleague Congressman Jack Fields, by renaming the post office in Kingwood, Texas, where he and his family live, as the ``Congressman Jack Fields Post Office.''

He represented the 8th District of Texas from 1981 to 1997, 16 years. He retired really at the pinnacle of his career for a very powerful reason, to spend more time with his family, his wonderful wife, Lynn, and children, daughters Jordan and Lexi and stepson Josh Hughes. Jack left as chairman of the House Committee on Commerce's Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee, a very important post, and as vice chairman of the Committee's Commerce, Trade and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee.

For those who know him, Jack was born in Humble, Texas, on February 3, 1952. His family had lived and has lived on the same plot of land since the 1860s. His family is remarkable. Those who know his dad and for all the contributions, the special place he played in the Humble community; his mom, who was beloved by all; his brother Jess, a distinguished community leader; his wife, Lynn, a top educator/school board member for many years. His whole family is just remarkable. So there is no exception; Jack was, as well.

Jack earned his Bachelor's degree from Baylor in Waco, Texas, in 1974. While attending Baylor, Jack served an unprecedented two terms as school body president and was twice named Outstanding Baylor Man. In 1977, Jack earned his law degree from Baylor Law School and for 9 years has served as a Baylor University trustee. As one would imagine, he is a little partial to the Baylor Bears.

Jack served as a member of the Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee from 1985 until his retirement. During his years of service he had maintained jurisdiction over international and interstate telecommunications. It oversaw the Federal Communications Commission, as well as the telephone, cellular, cable and broadcast industries, among others. It also worked on issues at the Security and Exchange Commission, as well as activities of investment bankers, stock brokers, investment advisers, stock exchanges, and the mutual fund industry.

As subcommittee chairman in 1995, Jack Fields led the effort in the House to enact the first comprehensive reform of the Communications Act of 1934 in more than 6 decades, the measure promoting greater competition in all telecommunications-related industries. Congress passed the legislation, and President Clinton signed it into law in February of 1996.

As subcommittee chairman, Jack's efforts led to passage of the National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which protects investors while also promoting greater efficiency and capital formation in the financial markets. Jack also played a critical role in passing the Securities Litigation Reform Act that reforms the Federal civil

justice system regarding private securities litigation.

He has been nothing close to retired since he left Congress. He has set up his own firm, has stayed involved in his ranching and timber interests. He opened the 21st Century Group, a Washington-based governmental affairs firm. He sits on the board of directors of AIM Mutual funds, the eighth largest mutual fund company in the United States; and Administaff, a premier professional employer organization with clients nationwide, based in Kingwood.

In addition, he sits on the board of the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education resources to people in need throughout the world through the use of technology.

Let me close with this: Jack Fields served for 16 years with distinction and integrity, with firm, conservative principles. He was a champion for veterans, a champion for small business, a champion for the second amendment and for family values, which he lived each day of his life. He reached across the aisle to work with Members and became close friends with former Congressman Mickey Leland. They worked together on issues related to poverty and hunger throughout the world.

I am so proud to serve in the seat that Jack Fields held for 16 years. The citizens of Humble and Kingwood in the Eighth Congressional District join me in honoring Jack Fields in naming the post office in Kingwood after him so that future generations within our community will know Jack Fields's service to Texas, service to Humble, Kingwood, and service to our great Nation. I am proud to be part of this effort.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Illinois for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4232, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4025 Feather Lakes Way in Kingwood, Texas, as the ``Congressman Jack Fields Post Office.'' I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Jack Field's accomplishments and life of dedicated public service.

In 1981, Jack was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives by the voters of Texas Eighth Congressional District. During his 16 years as a Member of the House, Jack distinguished himself as a statesman and a leader, earning an impressive legislative record.

As chairman of the House Committee on Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Jack led the effort in the House to enact the first comprehensive reform of the Communications Act of 1934, legislation that was designed to promote competition in all telecommunications- related industries

and create an environment in which new telecommunications technologies could flourish.

This act, known as the Telecommunications Act of 1996, was signed into law by President Clinton. It is widely acknowledged that this legislation encouraged the extraordinary innovation and growth in telecommunications and Internet service.

While serving as the ranking member on the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, Jack was instrumental in overhauling our Nation's oil spill liability laws in the wake of the Exxon Valdez accident in Alaska. He also advocated for the protection of endangered species and wetlands; fisheries and wildlife refuges; promotion of American ports and Merchant Marine and the safety of the cruise ship industry.

Following his retirement from Congress in 1997, Jack opened two companies, Twenty-First Century Group, Inc., a Washington, D.C., based governmental affairs and strategic planning company, and Texana Global, Inc., an international trade corporation headquartered in his hometown of Humble, Texas. Jack also continues to serve as vice president of Rosewood Memorial Park and Funeral Home, which his family has owned and operated since the 1930s.

Mr. Speaker, once again I would like to congratulate Jack on the contributions he has made and strongly encourage my colleagues to support this legislation in recognition of his significant contributions to this country.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of this resolution to name the post office in Kingwood, Texas, after our former colleague, a man I am proud to call a friend, Jack Fields. He is certainly deserving of this honor.

As a Member of the House of Representatives, Jack embodied the finest qualities of public service. He was diligent and hard working on behalf of his constituents. But he also distinguished himself through the courtesy with which he treated colleagues of both parties. He reached across the aisle to form friendships with our late colleague, who served with me in the Congressional Black Caucus, Mickey Leland of Houston, Texas. In an era where there was too little emphasis on civility, Jack never lost the sense of decorum or his ability to respect the opinion of others.

While Jack is best known for his leadership in enacting key legislation in telecommunications as chairman of the Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee, he has also used his expertise to advocate for the continent of Africa. During his tenure, I had the pleasure of traveling to South Africa with Jack on a trip organized by the newly formed, at that time, Discovery Channel Global Education Fund. We have served together as board members of the fund, which provides schools and community centers in underserved areas with televisions, VCRs, satellite technology, teacher training, and the ongoing delivery of relevant video programming. The organization, which reaches over 130,000 children and their communities throughout South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mexico, and Peru, is expanding now into Romania, Angola, India, Namibia, and Afghanistan.

Jack's work on telecommunications issues in Congress sparked an interest in his using the latest technology to improve education in rural villages through distance learning and other innovations. After Congressman Mickey Leland's untimely death, Jack honored him by introducing legislation in his name to improve the quality of life for children in Africa by improving access to worldwide educational resources through satellite technology.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to support this bill, and I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating our former colleague and a terrific human being, Jack Fields, on achieving this great distinction.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here today to pay tribute to a friend and former Colleague, Jack Fields, as I rise in strong support of this Bill. Although I only had the pleasure of serving 1 term with Congressman Fields we developed an immediate and lasting friendship that has only strengthened as time has passed. I count myself fortunate to have served that 1 term with him.

Congressman Fields blessed the 8th congressional district of Texas with 16 years of service through his constant dedication to his constituents and determination to do what was right. He was a role model both in his district, the State of Texas, and here in Congress. He worked tirelessly for his constituents and our great Nation and he was, and is, a truly great American.

I have many fond memories of the two years we worked together, but probably the one most important thing I remember about Congressman Fields was his willingness and ability to cross the aisle. Congressman Fields was a strong Republican, yet that did not prevent him from engaging and working with Democrats on a range of topics. For Congressman Fields there were many issues that were larger and more important than partisanship. Congressman Fields truly was a man of honor and dignity.

In fact, I look back at these days with a sense of nostalgia, when Democrats and Republicans would and could work together to get things done. The most important thing for Congressman Fields was to take every effort to move towards a better America. It wasn't partisanship, or special interests, his goal was to help the 8th congressional district of Texas, the State of Texas, and the United States of America. I truly believe that the 108th Congress would work much better if we had more men and women like Congressman Jack Fields. He had the ability to look beyond partisanship to the real issues that were facing our country and take them on head first.

And so I support this bill with open arms. Congressman Fields is a great friend, a loyal ally, and true gentleman. Supporting this bill is the least we can do to honor the truly excellent and distinguished career of Congressman Jack Fields.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4232) to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4025 Feather Lakes Way in Kingwood, Texas, as the ``Congressman Jack Fields 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 such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4232 honors a very distinguished former Member of this body, Congressman Jack Fields of Texas, with whom I had the privilege of serving. Congressman Fields, who made a living as a businessman and attorney, was elected as a Republican Member of the 97th and to the seven succeeding Congresses. He served in the House from 1981 until 1987.

Many of us had a chance to work alongside Congressman Fields, and we could not be happier about this post office designation in his honor. He was a very devoted Representative of the people of Texas and the Nation as a whole. He was a leading member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and contributed to this body and to this country in ways too numerous to mention at this time.

I commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady) for honoring Congressman Jack Fields in this legislation. I urge passage of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter).

(Mr. CARTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I urge passage of this bill to honor our good friend and colleague, Congressman Jack Fields.

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