To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2000 Allston Way in Berkeley, California, as the "Maudelle Shirek Post Office Building".

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 483, the Garza-Vela United States Courthouse Designation Act, offered by my colleague and my good friend, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz).

This bill pays tribute to two great Americans, Federal Judge Reynaldo Garza and Federal Judge Filemon Vela who were judicial legends in the great State of Texas.

Judge Garza was the Nation's first Mexican American Federal district judge appointed to the Federal bench by President Kennedy in 1961. This outstanding man had done advanced study in the field of law and was a great orator.

Judge Garza served our Nation through the turbulent years of the civil rights movement. His decisions contributed to the changes that opened up many opportunities for minorities.

In 1976 President Carter asked him to serve as the Nation's Attorney General, but he declined because he did not want to leave his beloved south Texas and his service on the Federal bench. He did, however, accept an appointment to the 5th Court of Appeals by President Carter and for many years commuted back and forth between south Texas and the circuit court in New Orleans.

In 1982 he obtained senior status; and even after his retirement, he remained active by filling in on the bench whenever he was needed. He was committed to education, particularly in encouraging literacy; and he was known and highly respected by everyone for the even-handed way in which he dispensed justice.

I served 1 year as foreman of a Federal grand jury which he appointed in his district court in Brownsville, Texas. It was a privilege and a pleasure to work with him and meet in his chamber where I witnessed firsthand the honesty, the integrity, and compassion of this gentleman from south Texas.

His last official act took place from his hospital bed when he officiated the swearing in of his protege, Federal Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa, as the new chairman of the Federal Sentencing Commission.

Judge Vela was nominated to the Federal bench by President Carter in 1980. He became an expert on comparative American and Mexican law. During his tenure, the Federal docket dramatically increased due to the enormous population growth in south Texas. Yet despite the heavy case load, Judge Vela fought to ensure that every person received prompt and fair treatment. He worked tirelessly to design and have built the new courthouse in Brownsville. It is indeed fitting that his name will be on this new Federal courthouse.

Judge Vela, like his good friend Judge Garza, was known for his impeccable integrity and his willingness to mentor young attorneys. He also was passionate about teaching children about the law and the criminal justice system in order to encourage them to make right choices of life. He would bring inmates to school auditorium programs to tell children about the mistakes they had made and the consequences they suffered as a result.

Judge Vela had one of the longest running and most successful radio programs on legal subjects which was broadcast in Spanish to more than 2 million listeners in south Texas and northern Mexico.

He also participated in 220 Spanish radio programs entitled ``Enriquezca Su Vida, Termine Sus Estudios,'' meaning ``enrich your life, complete your studies,'' that focused on encouraging children to stay in school and off drugs.

He was tireless when it came to community involvement and showing compassion for low-income families. I am proud to have called him my second cousin.

He gave countless hours as a mentor and leader to youth programs whether as an attorney for the Cameron County Child Welfare Department, as founder of the Esperanza Home for Boys, or as the Chair of the Board of Rio Grande Marine Institute Home for Youth.

We lost both of these great men last year, but their service to the people of Texas and to this great Nation must not be forgotten.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation that provides a fitting tribute to these two great Americans.

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

Madam Speaker, I join with the gentleman from Brownsville, Texas (Mr. Ortiz), in supporting H.R. 483, a bill to name the courthouse in Brownsville, Texas, as the Reynaldo G. Garza-Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse.

Madam Speaker, this bill honors the life and works of two extraordinary Mexican Americans. The first honoree, Judge Reynaldo Garza, was born in Brownsville in 1915. He graduated from local elementary schools as well as Brownsville High School. After graduating from Brownsville Junior College, he attended the University of Texas where he received the combined degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law.

Judge Garza served his country during World War II in the Air Force. After the war he returned to Brownsville to practice law.

In 1961 President Kennedy appointed Judge Garza to the district court for the Southern District of Texas. In 1979 President Carter appointed him to the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. In addition to his judicial duties, Judge Garza has long been interested in education issues.

He served former Governors John Connally and Mark White on commissions to improve the quality of education in Texas. Judge Garza recognized the importance of education in judicial proceedings and his concern for uneducated men at the mercy of unscrupulous people.

Judge Garza was very active in his church and has served the Knights of Columbus in the Brownsville area for many years.

Pope Pius XII twice decorated Judge Garza for his work on behalf of public charities. In 1989 Judge Garza was honored by the University of Texas with a Distinguished Alumnus Award.

His record of public service includes the work with the Rotary Club, the Latin-American Relation Committee in Brownsville, trustee at his law school, advisory council for the Boy Scouts, and he was elected as the city commissioner for the City of Brownsville.

It is fitting and proper to honor Judge Garza's outstanding, rich life, his commitment to excellence and his numerous public contributions.

The second honoree, Madam Speaker, Judge Filemon Vela, was also a native Texan and a veteran of the United States Army. He attended Texas Southmost College and the University of Texas. His law degree is from St. Mary's School of Law in San Antonio.

Judge Vela served as a commissioner of the City of Brownsville. He was a member of the Judges Advisory Committee to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Judge Vela is a former law instructor and an attorney for the Cameron County Child Welfare Department.

His civic activities including being the charter president for the Esperanza Home for Boys and the co-sponsor of the Spanish Radio Program ``Enrich Your Life, Complete Your Studies.'' Judge Vela's other civic activities include membership on the Independent School District Task Force and membership in the general assembly of the Texas Catholic Conference. He is also an active member of the Lions Club.

Judge Vela was nominated by President Carter for the Federal bench and was confirmed by the United States Senate in 1980.

Judge Vela's career is filled with successes, commitment to his family, devotion to his religion and his church,

love for his work and respect for his colleagues. It is most fitting to honor Judge Vela with this designation.

I join the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) in supporting H.R. 483.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz), the author of this bill.

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

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor to recognize an unsung hero and political legend in the East Bay area, Ms. Maudelle Shirek.

The legislation we are considering here today, H.R. 438, would name the post office building at 2000 Allston Way in Berkeley after Maudelle Shirek.

It would have been impossible for the House to consider this bill without the timely help of my colleagues, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Government Reform Committee, Congressmen Tom Davis and Henry Waxman. I thank the gentlemen for their assistance.

I would also like to thank Majority Leader Tom DeLay, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer for their help in bringing this bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, this special tribute is long overdue. In fact, in June 2003, the Berkeley City Council passed a resolution recommending the post office naming. I am pleased that we will finally honor Maudelle Shirek today.

Maudelle Shirek was Berkeley's 94-year-old former vice mayor. Until last fall, Maudelle was one of California's longest-serving elected officials.

As one of my political heroes, she continues to fight for equality and social justice for all. She not only helped me get involved in politics but also inspired my predecessor, Congressman Ronald V. Dellums, to run for Congress. Her understanding of the importance in investing in people has won the solid support of voters in her district and admirers around the world as an international leader for peace and justice.

A granddaughter of slaves, Maudelle left her rural Arkansas home and came to California in the middle of World War II. Before long she was campaigning for fair housing and other civil rights for African Americans. She helped found two Berkeley senior centers, and until her health started to slow her down, she helped deliver meals to shut-in seniors; or if it was a Tuesday, did all the shopping for lunches at the New Light Senior Center, which she founded nearly 30 years ago.

Mr. Speaker, Maudelle Shirek entered elected politics in 1983 after being forced to retire from a senior center simply for having reached the age of 72. Soon after her election to Berkeley City Council, she helped end the discriminatory policy of mandatory retirement in Berkeley city agencies.

Maudelle refuses to accept arbitrary limitations. It is one of the things we all respect about her. Maudelle remains one of the best examples of how one person can make a difference.

Ms. Maudelle Shirek is a fearless and inspirational woman who for over 60 years has tirelessly fought to make this world a fair and just place. She has spoken for the voiceless and has been a staunch defender of our basic civil rights.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in supporting this resolution, H.R. 438.

The world would be a better place if we had more Maudelles.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 483, a bill to honor two members of the United States Judiciary. The bill would designate the federal courthouse located in Brownsville, Texas as the Reynaldo G. Garza and the Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse. I'd like to recognize the Gentleman from Texas, Congressman Ortiz, for introducing this bill. The Gentleman introduced this same legislation in the 108th Congress, which passed the House last September. Unfortunately, the Other Body did not act on that bill. I am hopeful that with our passage of the bill today, the Senate will take quick action on it.

These two jurists displayed the very finest in legal scholarship. Judges Garza and Vela have contributed several decades of legal excellence to the judicial system of the United States. In addition, both these gentlemen have made substantial contributions, through extensive volunteer efforts, to the well being of their communities.

Judge Reynaldo Garza was appointed by President Kennedy to the federal bench and was the first Hispanic Federal Judge. After serving in the federal district court, Judge Garza was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He also served on the Brownsville Independent School Board, the Texas Educational Standards Committee, and the Select Committee on Higher Education.

When Judge Garza was appointed to the Fifth Circuit, Judge Filemon Vela succeeded him on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Brownsville. Judge Vela had a history of service to the community of South Texas. He worked closely with The Esperanza Home for Boys, and headed numerous local activities to encourage young people to stay in school. He was an active member of the Texas Conference of Churches and was former district Chairman of the Boys Scouts of America.

Judges Garza and Vela were active members in numerous civic organizations including the Texas Bar Association, and the United States Sentencing Commission, Brownsville Rotary Club, the Latin American Relations Committee, and the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce. They were beloved and revered members of the Mexican-American community, the judicial community, and the city of Brownsville.

Judges Garza and Vela were outstanding jurists and good friends. This designation is a fitting tribute to their distinguished public and civic careers of two remarkable Texans and I urge its adoption.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present for the following vote on Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2005, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall vote 501: I would have voted ``aye'' on the Department of Justice Authorization Act, H.R. 3402. Despite passage of the Manager's amendment, this bill does ensure that programs which help prevent violence and assist survivors are continued. I also support provisions in this bill that help local communities with additional resources to provide better support and security to victims of domestic violence.

Rollcall vote 500: I would have voted ``aye'' on the Democratic Motion to Recommit, offered by Representative Stupak, which would have given the Justice Department authority to prosecute oil companies engaged in price gouging.

Rollcall vote 499: I would have voted ``nay'' on the Managers Amendment offered by Representative Sensenbrenner. The amendment significantly weakens the bill's emphasis on domestic violence grant funding for communities of color. Racial and ethnic minorities already face complex issues in reporting and accessing assistance for domestic violence; we cannot shortchange this population.

Rollcall vote 498: I would have voted ``nay'' on the Rule for consideration of H.R. 3402, because it did not allow for consideration of many important Democratic and bipartisan amendments.

Rollcall vote 497: I would have voted ``aye'' on the Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2360, offered by Representative Sabo, which would have prevented the reorganization of the Department of Homeland Security from further weakening federal emergency preparedness capability.

Rollcall vote 496: I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Con. Res. 209, supporting the goals and ideals of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and expressing the sense of Congress that Congress should raise awareness of domestic

violence in the United States and its devastating effects on families.

Rollcall vote 495: I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 438, a bill to name a postal facility in Berkeley, California, after Maudelle Shirek. Ms. Shirek has provided a significant service to this country fighting against injustice, poverty, and housing discrimination.

Rollcall vote 494: I would have voted ``aye'' on H.J. Res. 66, supporting the goals and ideals of ``Lights On Afterschool,'' a national celebration of after-school programs.