To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2105 East Cook Street in Springfield, Illinois, as the "Colonel John H. Wilson, Jr. Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 234) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2105 East Cook Street in Springfield, Illinois, as the ``Colonel John H. Wilson, Jr. Post Office Building''.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service, I am pleased to present for consideration Senate bill 234, which will designate the United States postal facility located at 2105 East Cook Street in Springfield, Illinois, as the ``Colonel John H. Wilson, Jr. Post Office Building.''

Notably, this legislation was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin on January 14, 2009, and was passed by the Senate under unanimous consent on February 12, 2009. Our own colleague Representative Phil Hare of Illinois has introduced House companion bill H.R. 516, and I should note that the House measure enjoys the support of the entire Illinois congressional delegation and has been reported favorably by the House Oversight Committee.

A lifelong native of Springfield, Illinois, Colonel Wilson proudly spent 14 years on active duty in the United States Army, during which he served as a first lieutenant under General George S. Patton in World War II. As a result of his distinguished wartime service, Colonel Wilson subsequently received the Silver Star, a military distinction awarded to those members of the United States Armed Forces who have demonstrated ``gallantry in action.''

Colonel Wilson followed his active duty service by spending 17 additional years in the United States Army Reserve as a member and ultimately group commander of Springfield-based 303rd Ordinance Ammunition Group. In 1965 upon his promotion to colonel, he became the first African American resident of Illinois to obtain this distinguished military commissioned officer rank in the Army Reserve, which is an honor worthy of being celebrated today during Black History Month and throughout the year.

However, the designation of the East Cook Street postal facility in honor of Colonel Wilson is not only fitting in light of Colonel Wilson's combined 31 years of military service but also given his 57 years of dedicated civilian service as an employee of the United States Postal Service and a proud member of the American Postal Workers Union.

Regrettably, Colonel Wilson passed away in August of last year in his beloved hometown of Springfield, Illinois. He was 89 years old. Mr. Speaker, let us also show our gratitude for the service rendered by Colonel John Wilson by passing Senate 234.

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

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield such time as he may consume to the chief sponsor of this resolution, the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare).

Mr. Speaker, again I urge my colleagues to join me and Representative Hare. It is not every day that we are able to dedicate a postal building in memory of a career postal clerk and member of the American Postal Workers Union. So for that reason I ask our colleagues to join us in supporting Senate 234.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend Mr. Lynch for yielding.

I rise today in strong support of S. 234, a bill to name the Cook Street Post Office in Springfield, Illinois, after Colonel John H. Wilson, Jr.

I am deeply honored to have been allowed to introduce H.R. 516, the companion bill to the legislation before us today with the support of the entire Illinois delegation.

Colonel John H. Wilson answered the call to serve not once but twice in his life before he passed last year. During World War II, he joined the segregated United States Army and received the Silver Star for Gallantry. Mr. Wilson later served in the U.S. Army Reserves, and in 1965 he was promoted to colonel, the first African American from Illinois to achieve this rank.

Assistant Secretary to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Tammy Duckworth, praised Colonel Wilson's distinguished military career saying, ``If it wasn't for the brave men and women like Colonel Wilson, we would not have the same freedoms we do today. America would just not be the same.''

Following his military retirement in 1973, Colonel Wilson joined the United States Postal Service. For 57 years, 6 days a week, through rain, sleet, and snow, Colonel Wilson worked at the Cook Street Post Office and was an active member of the American Postal Workers Union. Ron Smith, President of the Lincoln Land Area Local, remembers Colonel Wilson as a dedicated employee. He said to me, ``John always

sought to bring honor and integrity to the postal service through his words and his actions and recognized the ever important role that the postal service has played in the everyday lives of everyone.''

Mr. Speaker, bestowing Colonel Wilson's name to the post office where he served his community for so many years is only a small tribute to a man who dedicated his entire life to the service of others. As we celebrate Black History Month, it is fitting that we honor this great American hero and pioneer. I ask my colleagues to support S. 234.

To his wife of 63 years, Lydia, and their two daughters and two grandsons, it is my privilege to share Colonel Wilson's story today. I know he made you proud as he has made the people of Illinois proud.

Thank you to my good friend and Illinois colleague Senator Dick Durbin for introducing this legislation. I would also like to thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for working with me to bring this bill to the floor.

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

I rise today in support of this bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2105 East Cook Street in Springfield, Illinois, as the ``Colonel John H. Wilson, Jr. Post Office Building.''

Born on December 18, 1918, in Springfield, Illinois, Colonel Wilson was a true American hero and a pioneer who fought bravely under General George Patton in France during World War II. For his bravery during the war, he was awarded the Silver Star.

An outstanding U.S. Postal Service employee in Springfield for 57 years, Wilson became the first African American Reservist from Illinois to achieve the rank of colonel. Wilson retired from the military in 1973 as group commander of the now-deactivated Springfield-based 303rd Ordinance Ammunition Group after serving for 14 years in active duty and another 17 years in the Reserves.

Sadly, on August 3, 2008, Colonel Wilson died in Springfield, Illinois, in the same Spring Street home in which he was born 89 years before. He leaves behind his wife, Lydia, and their two children.

This honor is appropriate, and by placing his name on the Springfield Post Office where he served for so many years, the memory of his service to his country and community will live on.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of S. 234, and I yield back the balance of my time.