To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1826 Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland, as the "Maryland State Delegate Lena K. Lee Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I want to thank our

chairman and the ranking member of the full committee. I certainly want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee and Mr. Davis, our ranking member, and the gentleman from Utah.

I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4107, legislation I introduced to honor a great woman, Lena K. Lee. H.R. 4107 would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at Druid Station in Baltimore, Maryland, the Maryland State Delegate Lena K. Lee Post Office Building. It is very interesting to note, Mr. Speaker, that this post office is actually located within about three blocks from where Delegate Lena K. Lee lives.

As an individual whose intellect, generous spirit, and rare devotion aided her in making momentous contributions to the great State of Maryland, the Honorable Lena K. Lee is worthy of this exceptional distinction. Born a coal miner's daughter, Delegate Lee rose to prominence as a master legislator, teacher, union leader, and a lawyer by blazing a trail of distinguished public service.

She received her B.S. degree from Morgan State College in 1939, and her master's degree from New York University in 1947. Before entering the political arena, Delegate Lee served as a teacher, and a very good one at that, and a elementary school principal in the Baltimore City public school system. In 1952, she became the third woman to receive her law degree from the University of Maryland Law School.

In 1967, Delegate Lee went on to serve her community on a much larger scale when she began a 15-year term as the first African American female lawyer in the House of Delegates. During her tenure, she dedicated her energy and talents towards eradicating social inequalities and advocating for women's rights.

Mr. Speaker, Delegate Lee, like the great Rosa Parks, was an individual who demonstrated the power of one. She was a champion of justice and a dynamic legislator who used her skills to selflessly better the world around her. Among her many accomplishments, she succeeded in assisting Morgan State College achieve university status and in saving the Orchard Street Church, a site of the Underground Railroad, from destruction. It is also interesting to note that that same building now is used to house the Baltimore branch of the Urban League. She also successfully fought for the construction of a new Provident Hospital, now called Liberty Medical Center, and the creation of no-fault divorce in the State of Maryland.

As one of the founders of the Women Legislators of Maryland and the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, Delegate Lee further displayed her resolve to lead and not follow.

Because of her tireless efforts, she has been the recipient of numerous honors, including the Presidential Citation from the National Association For Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, as well as membership in the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame, a very, very high honor.

Though Delegate Lee is now in the winter years of her life at age 99, her legacy will live on in the lives of those she has touched. She cleared the path to opportunities previously inaccessible to many bright and talented African Americans.

On a more personal note, in the summer of 1982, I received a call from this woman, known only to me by her reputation. Delegate Lee said something that would change the course of my life. She said, ``I'm going to retire from the House of Delegates. I'm looking for someone to take my place. I'm looking for a female lawyer, so that we will still have one in the House.'' And then she went on to say that I have decided to choose you. She said, ``I know you're a lawyer and I know you're not a female, but'' in her words, ``you will do.''

In the days that followed, although she was not feeling very well physically, Delegate Lee walked door to door with me, introducing me to voters and helping to raise campaign funds. The first 1982 campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates was not an easy one, and I often expressed my doubts to Delegate Lee. The question is not whether opportunities will come in life, she often said. The question is whether you are prepared to take advantage of them; and I think that you are prepared.

While her eloquent words resonated in my heart, the way she lived her life was her most compelling lesson. In no uncertain terms, Delegate Lena K. Lee was my first and my very best teacher in public life, and for that I will go to my grave being grateful.

Mr. Speaker, the postal facility named in honor of this distinguished lady will serve to signify to the citizens of Maryland and of this great country and generations yet unborn that the leadership and noteworthy achievements of even one committed citizen can enrich and empower our communities and indeed our Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in offering their support to this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4107) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1826 Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland, as the ``Maryland State Delegate Lena K. Lee 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 and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4107, legislation authored by the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings). The bill would designate this post office in Baltimore, Maryland, as the Lena K. Lee Post Office Building. All Members of the Maryland delegation have cosponsored this legislation.

A woman with undying ambition and an unstoppable desire to help others, the Honorable Lena K. Lee, was often referred to as a master teacher, union leader, lawyer, and legislator. Her leadership example through the years has provided countless opportunities for young and determined African Americans in Maryland.

Delegate Lee received her bachelor's degree from Morgan State University in 1939 and her master's from New York University in 1947. Before her days in politics, Delegate Lee was a teacher and eventually a principal in the Baltimore City public school system. In 1952, she became the third woman to receive her law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law.

In 1967, she began a 16-year term as the first African American female lawyer to serve in the House of Delegates. During her tenure, she fought to eradicate social inequality and advocated tirelessly for women's rights. In addition, Delegate Lee was instrumental in helping Morgan State College achieve university status and in saving the Orchard Street Church, a site of the Underground Railroad, from destruction. She has also served as an advocate for the health of Maryland prisoners as well as a supporter in the reconstruction of the new Provident Hospital.

She served as a member of numerous organizations, such as the NAACP, the Urban League, the League of Women Voters. Most notably, she was the first African American woman to serve as the vice-chair of the Baltimore City delegation to the general assembly, and one of the founders of the Women Legislators of Maryland and the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus.

She has been the recipient of numerous awards, honors, and citations, including the Presidential Citation from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education and membership into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame.

I encourage all Members to come together to pass H.R. 4107 to honor Delegate Lena K. Lee for her constant perseverance and courage in her quest for equality.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support passage of H.R. 4107, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), the sponsor of this legislation.

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

I am indeed delighted that Delegate Lee was willing to accept our esteemed colleague, even though he was not a woman. And I think that she has been vindicated.

As a member of the House Government Reform Committee, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 4107, legislation naming a postal facility in Baltimore, Maryland, after Lena K. Lee.

This measure, which was introduced by my good friend and colleague Representative Elijah Cummings on October 20, 2005, and unanimously reported by our committee on November 16, 2005, enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire Maryland delegation.

Prior to entering State politics, Lena Lee was a teacher and elementary school principal in the Baltimore City public school system. In 1967, she began a 16-year term as the first African-American female lawyer to serve in the House of delegates. During her term in the House of Delegates, Delegate Lee worked hard on eradicating social inequities and stood strong in support of women's rights. Delegate Lee also assisted Morgan State College achieve university status and saved the Orchard Street Church, an underground railroad site, from destruction. She advocated for the health of Maryland prisoners and aided in the reconstruction of the New Provident Hospital.

Delegate Lee's incredible leadership in improving the lives of Baltimore citizens and preserving cultural and educational landmarks made her the recipient of numerous awards, honors and citations, including the Presidential citation from the National Association For Equal Opportunity in Higher Education and the membership in the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Cummings for seeking to honor this very accomplished citizen. Naming the Druid Station in Baltimore is a fine way to recognize the legacy of the Honorable Lena K. Lee, and I urge swift passage of this bill.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 4107 and H.R. 4295 en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bills be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc.