To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 396 South California Avenue in West Covina, California, as the "Esteban E. Torres Post Office Building".

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7832 to rename the post office located at 396 South California Avenue in West Covina, California after the late Congressman Esteban E. Torres, a long-time San Gabriel Valley legislator and beloved community leader.

A proud son of immigrants, Rep. Torres dedicated his life to serving his community, our nation in uniform, and working families across Eastern Los Angeles County. I proudly introduced this legislation with Rep. Linda Sanchez so future generations will remember Rep. Torres' legacy and be inspired by his service to our region and nation.

Rep. Torres was born on January 27, 1930, in Miami, Arizona. Shortly after finishing high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1949 to 1953 during the Korean War conflict and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant first class.

After attending various institutions including, the Los Angeles Art Center, East Los Angeles College, and California State University Los Angeles, Rep. Torres was subsequently elected to serve California's 34th district. He represented the cities of Artesia, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera, parts of Whittier, South El Monte, Industry, La Puente, Baldwin Park, and West Covina for 16 years in Congress. During his first five terms, Rep. Torres served on the House Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs and the Small Business Committees. In 1993, he was named to the powerful Appropriations Committee where he was responsible for delivering millions of dollars for public transit projects in Los Angeles County and throughout the State of California and advocating for U.S. policies that advanced democracies throughout the world. Rep. Torres also served as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and as a Deputy Whip for the House's Democratic leadership.

Rep. Torres also was an accomplished artist. His art was featured in the Washingtonian Magazine, at numerous galleries throughout Los Angeles, and admired by his colleagues in Congress, friends, and family. Among his proudest accomplishments was being one of the founders, along with Supervisor Gloria Molina, of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a world-renowned museum honoring the past, inspiring the future, and recognizing the cultural influence of Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and all Latinx in the greater Los Angeles community.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 7832. Renaming the West Covina Post Office in Rep. Torres' honor will be a small token of gratitude for his lifetime of dedication to his community and country.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7832) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 396 South California Avenue in West Covina, California, as the ``Esteban E. Torres Post Office Building''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this matter.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7832, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 396 South California Avenue in West Covina, California, as the Esteban E. Torres Post Office Building.

Esteban E. Torres was born in Miami, Arizona, on January 27, 1930. His family moved to Los Angeles in 1936 where he attended the local public schools.

From 1949 to 1953, Mr. Torres served in the U.S. Army, fought in the Korean war, and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant first class.

Mr. Torres was introduced to politics through his activism in the local branch of the United Auto Workers union. He held various positions, such as chief steward, UAW organizer, UAW international representative, and the director of the Inter-American Bureau for Caribbean and Latin American Affairs.

In 1974, he made his first bid for elective office representing California's 30th Congressional District but lost to incumbent George Danielson.

Mr. Torres was eventually elected to the House of Representatives in 1982, where he was a member of the Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs and the Committee on Small Business. In addition, Mr. Torres chaired the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in late 1988.

During his tenure as chairman of the Banking panel's Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs and Coinage, he pushed measures to empower customers of financial institutions, authored the Truth in Savings Act, and advocated for legislation that would give consumers better access to their credit histories.

In 1998, Mr. Torres announced he would retire from the House at the end of the 105th Congress.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of public service of former Representative Torres by naming a post office in West Covina, California, after him, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 7832, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, Esteban E. Torres was a Korean war veteran, antipoverty activist, and Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1999. He was introduced to politics after becoming involved in the local branch of the United Auto Workers union.

When he was elected to the U.S. House, he was assigned to the Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs and the Committee on Small Business. He also later served on the Committee on Appropriations.

As a former autoworker with ties to the Hispanic community, Mr. Torres is credited with having served a key role in crafting the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada. He passed away on January 25, 2022.

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 5 of House Resolution 1518, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bills: H.R. 1082; H.R. 5349; H.R. 6218; H.R. 6220; H.R. 6221; H.R. 6611; H.R. 6630; H.R. 6725; H.R. 7832; H.R. 8665; S. 558; and S. 789; and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 7077.

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