To designate the annex to the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Building and United States Courthouse located at 333 Constitution Avenue Northwest in the District of Columbia as the "William B. Bryant Annex".

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

should begin by thanking the leadership of the House and my own leadership for the way they have accommodated me in bringing this bill forward quickly. I especially thank the chairman of our subcommittee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), for so readily agreeing to manage this bill and bring it forward, because it comes forward under rather special and unusual circumstances.

The judge for whom this courthouse is to be named would by any standard be regarded as a historic figure in the Federal judiciary and in the judiciary of this city. H.R. 4294, a bill to name the annex of the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Building, which houses the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for William B. Bryant, is what is before us. Judge Bryant is a former chief judge of the District Court, the first African American to hold the post, a longtime D.C. resident and graduate of the D.C. public schools with a distinguished legal career, who currently serves as a senior judge. The annex is under construction at Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues Northwest and when completed early next year will provide much-needed state-of-the-art courtrooms and judges' chambers.

H.R. 4294 has an unusual origin. The chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, for himself and the members of the trial court, visited my office to request that the annex under construction for the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Building be named for senior U.S. District Court judge William B. Bryant. Judge Bryant was unaware of the desires and actions of his colleagues who unanimously agreed to request that the annex be named for the judge.

It is rare that Congress names a courthouse or an annex for a judge who has served in that court and even more rare for a judge who is still sitting. Judge Bryant's colleagues, who know his work and his temperament best, have found a particularly appropriate way for our city and our country to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a great judge who has had an historic impact on the law and on his court. I know Judge Bryant personally. I know his reputation in this city and in the law. And I know that the request to name the annex for Judge Bryant reflects deep respect for his unusually distinguished life at the bar.

Judge Bryant began his career in private practice in the segregated Washington of the 1940s and 1950s when African American lawyers were barred from membership in the District of Columbia Bar Association and from using the bar law library. He established his legal reputation as a partner in the legendary African American law firm of Houston, Bryant & Gardner and taught at Howard University law school.

His reputation as an extraordinary trial lawyer led to his appointment as the first African American assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. He rose to become the first African American to serve as chief judge of the U.S. District Court whose members now ask that the annex be named for Judge Bryant.

For his representation of criminal defendants in private practice, Judge Bryant was admired as one of the city's best and most respected litigators. Among his many notable cases is the landmark Mallory v. United States where the Supreme Court ruled that an arrested person must be promptly brought before a judicial officer.

Judge Bryant graduated from the D.C. public schools, Howard University, and the Howard University School of Law where he was first in his class. After graduation, Judge Bryant served as chief research assistant to Dr. Ralph Bunche when Dr. Bunche worked with Gunnar Myrdal, the famous Swedish economist, in his studies of American racial issues. Judge Bryant served in the United States Army during World War II and was honorably discharged as a lieutenant colonel in 1947.

Judge Bryant, who is 92, took senior status in 1982. He raised a family, but as Chief Judge Thomas Hogan wrote, ``lost his beloved wife, Astaire, and now lives alone, with this court and the law as the center of his life.''

I am grateful to our judges of the United States District Court here for the thoughtful proposal that the annex to their court be named for Judge William B. Bryant. The residents of this city that Judge Bryant has served so well, the judges of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and the members of the bar here would be particularly pleased. I am delighted that Senator Patrick Leahy, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has sponsored the bill in the Senate; and I urge quick approval to give honor to one of the great judges of our court.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4294) to designate the annex to the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Building and United States Courthouse located at 333 Constitution Ave. Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, as the ``Judge William B. Bryant Annex to the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Building and United States Courthouse,'' as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4294, introduced by the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) designates the annex to the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Building and United States Courthouse as the William B. Bryant Annex to the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Building and United States Courthouse.

Judge Bryant was born in Alabama, but raised in Washington, D.C. He attended public schools here in the District, and graduated from Dunbar High School. He received both his bachelor and law degrees from Howard University.

In 1943, like many of his generation, he entered the United States Army receiving a commission as a first lieutenant. He was honorably discharged in 1947, having attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.

After 18 years in private practice, marked by a brief period with the Department of Justice, William Bryant was appointed to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in 1965.

In 1977, Judge Bryant became the first African American to serve as the Chief Judge for the D.C. District Court. Judge Bryant took senior status in 1982 although he continued to hear cases long after many others would have retired.

I would like to commend the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for being persistent in bringing this bill to the floor to honor a distinguished jurist.

This is a fitting tribute to a respected judge. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4294, a bill to designate the annex to the Prettyman Courthouse in Washington, D.C., as the Judge William B. Bryant Annex. I thank Chairmen Young and LaTourette for their graciousness and support in moving this bill to the Floor in such an expeditious manner.

Judge Bryant, who is 92 years old, is an icon in District legal circles. He practiced law in the 1940s and 1950s when the city was segregated. He could not join the D.C. Bar Association or use its facilities. Yet, he has achieved great stature as a trial lawyer and enjoys an enviable reputation.

Judge Bryant is a lifelong D.C. resident who attended public schools and Howard Law School, where he graduated first in his class. He began his legal career in private practice in the District with the legendary African American law firm of Houston, Bryant, and Gardner. In 1965, he was nominated by President Johnson to the Federal bench and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in August of that year. Judge Bryant is the first African American to hold the post of Chief Judge.

During his long, productive legal career Judge Bryant also served as the first African American Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District, and has taught at Howard Law School. He is also a World War II veteran, serving in the Army from 1943 until 1947.

The judges of the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia unanimously agreed to name the annex in honor of Judge Bryant and approached Congresswoman Norton for her help.

Judge Bryant's civil career is extraordinary. He is a role model, a mentor, a loyal friend and advisor. It is fitting and just that Judge William Bryant be honored with this designation.

I support H.R. 4294 and urge its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 647, H.R. 3884 and H.R. 4294, the matters that we have just been discussing.