To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue in Portland, Oregon, as the "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office".

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for this bill designating the post office located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue in Portland, Oregon, as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., became one of the most important public figures of our times. His leadership during the Civil Rights Movement helped to make America the country it is today. Because of Dr. King's many accomplishments in the pursuit of justice and liberty, it is clear that he deserves this honor and recognition.

Dr. King began his career as a Baptist minister who was also a leading civil rights leader during the 1950s and 1960s. It's hard to forget Dr. King's stirring and often quoted ``I Have a Dream'' speech that established him as one of the great American orators of all time.

Dr. King's lifelong crusade to end all forms of racial inequity was instrumental in turning the entire country towards civil rights for all citizens. His cry against segregation and other forms of discrimination brought this issue to the forefront of American culture.

Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, which helped show the world that racial discrimination could be ended through nonviolent means. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal. In recognition of his many accomplishments for our country, in 1983, Congress established a national holiday as a tribute to his memory.

As one of the most pivotal figures in the battle to end bigotry and discrimination on the basis of race, Dr. King led the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, and was instrumental in orchestrating the famous Birmingham, Alabama, protests. Realizing that his message of freedom applied to all impoverished Americans, Dr. King expanded his crusade for fair treatment for all citizens. Dr. King expanded his message to apply to impoverished Americans.

Towards the end of his life, he expanded his outreach to all races and cultures. Dr. King dedicated his life to ensuring these principles this country holds so dear, those of liberty and justice for all citizens.

I would like to thank my respected colleague, Earl Blumenauer, for introducing this important legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2971) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue in Portland, Oregon, as the ``Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office''.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield time to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy) so that he may speak on the bill that just passed.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present H.R. 2971 for consideration. This legislation, as my colleague noted, will designate the United States postal facility located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue, in Portland, Oregon, as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office.

Introduced on June 19, 2009, by my colleague, Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, H.R. 2971 was favorably reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on July 10, 2009, by unanimous consent. Additionally, this legislation enjoys the support of the entire Oregon House delegation.

My friend from Utah has articulated very well the events, the life and legacy of Dr. King, from his leadership in helping to organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 to his riveting ``I Have a Dream'' speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial not far from this spot, and also the passion of his pursuit of nonviolent protest to change opinions, attitudes and opportunity in this country.

Dr. King served to remind this Nation of its fundamental responsibility to safeguard the natural, God-given rights of all men and women, so that all people in this country would be free to pursue our goals and aspirations without limit.

Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that we can further honor the great life and legacy of Dr. King by joining our colleague from the State of Oregon and supporting the passage of this legislation to designate the Northeast Killingsworth Avenue post office in his honor.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2971.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I again urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through the passage of

I yield back the remainder of my time.

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

I thank my friend, because I wanted to say some words on behalf of Jobs Corps and missed by moments, apparently, the formal opportunity do that. I will add a statement to the Record.

But let me say as co-Chair of the Friends of Job Corps Caucus, I believe so strongly in the promise of Job Corps and admire its 45-year track record in providing at-risk youth the core job skills they need so that they might move forward and make something of their lives.

My statement will include data, including the 60,000 youth every year choosing to enroll in Job Corps, the 85 percent of Job Corps graduates that obtain the high school diploma or GED equivalent, graduate with jobs and job-related skills, pursuing service in the military, other alternatives.

I have seen firsthand in the Quentin Burdick Job Corps Center in Minot, North Dakota, youth that are getting after the business of turning their lives around and the new sense of self-esteem as they acquire skills, skills that will bring them jobs, jobs that will pay living wages so that they might have, for the first time, often, in the life of their family, a shot at breaking the cycle of poverty and leaving a better future for the children and grandchildren to follow.

There is a reason why for 45 years Republicans and Democrats alike have supported Job Corps: It works.

The President has told people contemplating walking away from school, not continuing their education, you are not only quitting on yourself, you are quitting on your country, because we need those skills. Well, for our country, I must say we must not quit on these young people, and that is why I look forward to the next 45 years of Job Corps support.

Mr. Speaker, in June, I introduced a bill to name a post office in my district, northeast Portland, Oregon, the ``Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office.'' Located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue, this post office shall serve as a daily reminder of the civil rights leader who, even now, inspires our Nation and serves as a catalyst for change.

In fact, this bill itself is a result of a community-led effort, and the hard work of two local letter carriers. In 2007, Mr. Jamie Partridge and Mr. Isham Harris collected employee signatures supporting this naming, as well as letters of support from several neighborhood associations. I am pleased to carry this effort forward in D.C., with the full support of the entire Oregon congressional delegation.

I thank the Committee on Government Oversight and Reform for working with me to ensure speedy passage of this bill through the House. I look forward to equally expeditious consideration in the Senate.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed recorded votes on the House floor on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``Aye'' on rollcall vote No. 720, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 441; ``Aye'' on rollcall vote No. 721, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 2971; ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 722, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3548.