To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 725 Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, as the "Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great leader and powerful figure in North Carolina by naming the post office located at 725 Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina as the Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post Office. Unfortunately, Judge Allsbrook passed away on October 26, 2007, just a few months before we were able to bestow upon him this great honor.

Judge Allsbrook was a native of Halifax County, North Carolina--one of the largest and most populated areas of my congressional district. He was born in 1929 to State Senator Julian and Mrs. Frances Allsbrook.

In his formative years, Richard Allsbrook attended Roanoke Rapids High School where he excelled academically. After graduating, Richard attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where he received a bachelors of arts degree. He went on to attend law school at the prestigious University of North Carolina School of Law, and subsequently served for 4 years with the United States Navy as a second lieutenant.

Mr. Speaker, after honorably serving his country in the military, Richard returned to Roanoke Rapids to practice law with his father in the firm of Allsbrook, Benton and Knott. During his 20 years as a practicing attorney, he always took time for his clients and worked diligently to ensure that they were represented to the best of his ability. His meticulous nature and even temperament served him well when he was appointed resident superior court judge for the Sixth Judicial District in 1978. Over the next 22 years, he tempered justice with mercy, earning a reputation as a fair, compassionate jurist. All those present in his courtroom--attorneys, defendants, jurors, witnesses and court personnel--consistently found him to be well- prepared, respectful, and courteous. I had the privilege of practicing law before Judge Allsbrook on many occasions prior to my election as Resident Superior Court Judge when I became his colleague.

After serving as Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for over two decades, he retired in September 2000 and worked as a mediator in the North Carolina judicial system.

Judge Allsbrook attended the Rosemary Baptist Church for over 50 years. He was a dedicated deacon, trustee and Sunday School teacher where he worked to enrich each person with whom he came into contact. He was also dedicated to improving the community through his involvement in the Kiwanis Club where he served as president, and also the Roanoke Rapids Chamber of Commerce where he also served as president. Because of his dedication and commitment to the community, Judge Allsbrook received the Jaycees' Distinguished Service Award and also received the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award.

Mr. Speaker, sadly, Judge Allsbrook's devoted and loving wife Barbara passed away in February of last year--just 8 months before Judge Allsbrook. Judge Allsbrook and his wife Barbara reared two children, Barbara Alison who resides in Roanoke, and Richard Jr., who resides in Boston.

Judge Richard Allsbrook was indeed a pillar of the Halifax community. He was my dear friend and I am so proud to have known him. Roanoke Rapids, Halifax County, and the State of North Carolina is a better place because of Richard Allsbrook's sacrifices and contributions on behalf of so many.

This legislation--H.R. 4211--has bipartisan support and is cosponsored by the entire North Carolina Congressional Delegation. It is my hope that my colleagues here in the House will join me and my North Carolina colleagues in voting ``aye'' on H.R. 4211.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4211) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 725 Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, as the ``Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post Office''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 4211 which names a postal facility in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, the Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post Office.

H.R. 4211 was introduced by Representative Butterfield of North Carolina on November 15, 2007. It was reported from the House Oversight Committee on December 12, 2007 by voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by 12 Members and has support of the entire North Carolina congressional delegation.

I am asking the House to join me in honoring Judge Richard B. Allsbrook, a dedicated civil servant, who passed away in October 2007.

Judge Allsbrook served his country as a second lieutenant in the United States Navy before becoming an attorney in North Carolina at a family law firm. In 1978, Judge Allsbrook was appointed resident superior court judge for the Sixth Judicial District, from which he retired in September 2000. In addition, he served as a mediator in the North Carolina judicial system, and was sitting president of the Roanoke Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

The community was deeply touched by his efforts. Madam Speaker, I urge swift passage of this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge passage of this bill honoring the late Honorable Judge Richard B. Allsbrook with the naming of the Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post Office located at 725 Roanoke Avenue, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Described as a ``meticulous, fair and compassionate'' jurist, Allsbrook served as the Superior Court Judge for the Sixth Judicial District in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, for 22 years before retiring in 2000.

A native of Halifax, and son of the late State Senator Julian Allsbrook, Judge Allsbrook earned his undergraduate degree and his juris doctorate from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

After spending 4 years as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, Allsbrook spent 20 years practicing law with his father in the practice of Allsbrook, Benton and Knott.

Judge Allsbrook was also an active member of the community, serving as the president of the Roanoke Rapids Kiwanis Club and the president of the Roanoke Rapids Chamber of Commerce. He also received awards for his service to the community, including the Boy Scouts of America's Distinguished Citizen Award.

A dedicated father and grandfather, distinguished public servant, and valuable member of the community, Judge Allsbrook touched many lives and, fittingly, his life deserves to be recognized with the naming of the Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post Office in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, in his honor.

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

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures on January 22 and 23, 2008. If I were present for rollcall votes, I would have voted ``yea'' on each of the following bills:

Roll 19, January 22, 2008: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: H.R. 4211, Naming the Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post Office.

Roll 20, January 22, 2008: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Res. 866, Honoring the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard whose tireless work, dedication, and commitment to protecting the United States have led to the Coast Guard seizing over 350,000 pounds of cocaine at sea during 2007, far surpassing all of our previous records.

Roll 21, January 23, 2008: On Ordering the Previous Question: H.R. 3963, Children's Health Insurance Program Extension and Improvement.

Roll 22, January 23, 2008: Passage, Objections of the President Not Withstanding: H.R. 3963, Children's Health Insurance Program Extension and Improvement.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately yesterday, January 22, 2008, my flight to Washington, DC was delayed, and I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 4211 and H. Res. 866 and wish the Record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 19 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 4211, naming the Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post Office, I would have voted ``aye''.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 20 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 866, honoring the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard whose tireless work, dedication, and commitment to protecting the United States have led to the Coast Guard seizing over 350,000 pounds of cocaine at sea during 2007, far surpassing all of our previous records, I would have voted ``aye.''