To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Kings Road in Jacksonville, Florida, as the "Rutledge Pearson Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to stand before you today as we move to honor the legacy of Rutledge Pearson by naming the Jacksonville Post Office in his honor. He was a tremendous leader. Rutledge Pearson was a civil rights leader, an American history teacher, and a distinguished baseball player. His legacy in Jacksonville, and especially for civil rights, is long lasting, and this is the fitting way to honor his contribution to our community.

As a young man, Rutledge Pearson had a successful baseball career, as we heard from the Congressman, with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro League. His talent granted him the opportunity to play major league baseball in his hometown.

However, as we heard earlier, because of his race, the Jacksonville Beach Seabirds rejected Pearson from joining the team. In fact, park officials, as was stated also earlier, said that they would rather close the park than to have this outstanding hero, baseball player, and educator play in his hometown.

This experience prepared Pearson to pursue a career in education, and, like most of us, when you pursue a career in education, you break down a lot of barriers. Rutledge Pearson was elected president of the Jacksonville branch of the NAACP and was later elected to be president of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP.

He was known for his ability to attract young people, which all of us do today, to get young people involved in the NAACP and many community organizations. Pearson was instrumental as a leader in the fight for civil rights. Little did I know that I would be on the floor speaking for this great person whom I learned about many years ago in a history class.

Pearson was instrumental in all of his efforts, especially locally and nationally, helping change Jacksonville's culture as it is today in its landscape.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for the time, and I urge a ``yes'' vote to honor Rutledge Pearson for his contribution to the city of Jacksonville and to our Nation.

Also, little did I know, in 1970, that I would be sitting in a class in college with Rutledge Pearson's niece. It is so exciting to have Congress honor this great leader among people throughout the State of Florida.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 3638, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Post Office located at 1100 Kings Road in Jacksonville, Florida, as the Rutledge Pearson Post Office Building.

Born in 1929, Rutledge Pearson graduated from New Stanton High School in 1947, before attending Tillatson College on a baseball scholarship. Following his graduation, he began playing for the Negro League's Birmingham Black Barons, but because of his race, the Jacksonville Beach Seabirds refused to allow Mr. Pearson to play on their team, deciding they would rather close the park.

His rejection, however, inspired him, and he went on to become an influential member of Jacksonville's education system and civil rights movements. He served at every level in the NAACP, and he continued to energize and inspire young people around his community, as he did in the classroom every day.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation to honor Mr. Rutledge Pearson. I urge the passage of H.R. 3638, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lawson).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3638) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Kings Road in Jacksonville, Florida, as the ``Rutledge Pearson 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 today in support of H.R. 3638, introduced by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lawson). The bill names the United States Post Office at 1100 Kings Road in Jacksonville, Florida, after Rutledge Pearson.

Rutledge Pearson was an educator and instrumental leader in the civil rights movement. He is remembered for his ability to attract young people to the fight for civil rights. Tragically, he was killed in a car accident in 1967. Today, we honor his legacy and service to his community in Jacksonville.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I know of no further debate on the bills en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.