2322 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE February 15, 2005 integrate the restaurant. This may face of oppression, they refused to be ruled by institutions. But it all began with four students seem like a small victory in light of fear and they helped bring out others who at North Carolina A & T. The nation owes later accomplishments in the civil could now see their way past their fears and them a great debt of gratitude. rights movement, but victories like into their hope for a better future. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I this one laid the foundation for many The act of being able to eat in a dining es- yield back the balance of my time. of the rights people of color enjoy tablishment of our choice is one we take for Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all today. granted in today’s America. It seems like such Members to support and agree to House The surviving members of the group, a simple issue, yet it was the simplest matters Concurrent Resolution 25. Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, and that were at the crux of the oppression faced Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Jibreel Khazan, have settled into their by black Americans. Whether it was basic of my time. own private lives; but their impact on housing, transportation or security issues, The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. race relations in the United States was black Americans were kept from realizing TERRY). The question is on the motion profound. It is only fitting that we equal rights and equal protection. The Greens- offered by the gentleman from Penn- honor them today in this manner. boro Four refused to accept this situation as a sylvania (Mr. DENT) that the House Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my strong fact of life. They were surely angry at their suspend the rules and agree to the con- support for this legislation, remember plight, but they did not choose a path of vio- current resolution, H. Con. Res. 25. my own days as a student at that time, lence, no instead they chose a path of civil The question was taken. not in North Carolina but in the State disobedience, in which their cry for justice The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the of Arkansas where conditions were grew louder and louder with each protest until opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of very similar, and all of us were it became too much for their oppressors to those present have voted in the affirm- touched, moved, inspired, motivated, bear. The Greensboro Four stood up for mil- ative. and activated by the Greensboro Four. lions of Americans with the simple act of sit- Mr. WATT. Mr. Speaker, on that I de- I thank the gentleman for introducing ting down at a lunch counter. Often it is not mand the yeas and nays. this legislation. the amount of action taken that is important, The yeas and nays were ordered. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, but the meaning behind the act. I stand with The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- I rise today as a proud cosponsor of H. Con. my colleagues in this body today to recognize ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Res. 25 which recognizes the contributions of the Greensboro Four for their act of brave civil Chair’s prior announcement, further Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair, Jr.), David Rich- disobedience and the proud legacy that it has proceedings on this motion will be mond, Joseph McNeil, and Franklin McCain, left. postponed. known as the ‘‘Greensboro Four’’ for their his- Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on f toric contribution to the civil rights movement. May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court de- ARTHUR STACEY MASTRAPA POST I want to thank my colleague Representative clared two things: (1) segregated schools are OFFICE BUILDING MILLER of North Carolina for properly recog- illegal; and (2) the legal principle of ‘‘separate nizing these four gentlemen in this body. With- but equal’’ was dead. Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I move to out their contribution to the civil rights move- Philosophically the Court was saying if our suspend the rules and pass the bill ment it may have taken many more years to public institutions are equal, why separate (H.R. 324) to designate the facility of break the barrier of segregation that use to be them? And, practically and historically, if they the United States Postal Service lo- so common place in our Nation. are separate we know they will be unequal. cated at 321 Montgomery Road in On Feb. 1, 1960 four black freshmen at Thus, the Brown decision laid the legal Altamonte Springs, Florida, as the North Carolina A&T State University, Franklin foundation for attacking all segregated institu- ‘‘Arthur Stacey Mastrapa Post Office McCain, Joseph McNeil, Jibreel Khazan (Ezell tions in America. Building’’. Blair, Jr.), and David Richmond, took seats at There had been sit-ins in the 1940s and The Clerk read as follows: the segregated lunch counter of F. W. Wool- ’50s—in Chicago, St. Louis, Baltimore and H.R. 324 worth’s in Greensboro, N.C. They were re- elsewhere—but without the legal foundation of Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- fused service and sat peacefully until the store Brown. resentatives of the United States of America in closed. They returned the next day, along with During this period of increasing civil rights Congress assembled, about 25 other students, and their requests activity, CORE, the Fellowship of Reconcili- SECTION 1. ARTHUR STACEY MASTRAPA POST were again denied. The Greensboro Four in- ation, and SCLC clergy trained young people OFFICE BUILDING. spired similar sit-ins across the state and by in nonviolent direct action. Rev. James (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the the end of February; such protests were taking Lawson and others did such training in Nash- United States Postal Service located at 321 Montgomery Road in Altamonte Springs, place across the South. Finally, in July, Wool- ville at Tennessee State, the American Baptist Florida, shall be known and designated as worth’s integrated all of its stores. Theological Seminary and at Fisk University. the ‘‘Arthur Stacey Mastrapa Post Office This single act forever changed the way The students at North Carolina A & T State Building’’. black Americans were able to live in society. University, my alma mater, didn’t know about (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, Much like Rosa Parks who refused to give up the activity in Nashville. But freedom was in- map, regulation, document, paper, or other her seat simply because of her race and in- creasingly in the air. record of the United States to the facility re- spired the movement to integrate the bus sys- So, on February 1, 1960, four young African ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to tem; and much like Jackie Robinson who re- American men—Franklin McCain, Joseph be a reference to the Arthur Stacey Mastrapa Post Office Building. fused to observe the color barrier in our na- McNeil, Ezell Blair Jr. and David Richmond— tion’s pastime of baseball and blazed the path all freshmen on academic scholarships at The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- for all future black athletes; the Greensboro North Carolina A & T, sat down at a ‘‘whites ant to the rule, the gentleman from Four similarly broke down one of the key bar- only’’ Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greens- Pennsylvania (Mr. DENT) and the gen- riers that kept black Americans from receiving boro. They wanted to be served, but were re- tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each equal treatment under the law. This small act fused and physically abused. They responded will control 20 minutes. of peaceful defiance inspired others to act in to violence with nonviolence. The Chair recognizes the gentleman protest and became a tidal wave for change. The media focused on what was happening from Pennsylvania (Mr. DENT). The fact is that in any movement against in- in Greensboro, and African American college GENERAL LEAVE justice, the great majority of the population will students across the South were inspired to Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- feel oppressed and disenfranchised, but few begin a lunch counter sit-in movement. They mous consent that all Members may will be ready to act, out of fear due to the filled jails, got out, sat-in again, and went back have 5 legislative days within which to threat of violence from their oppressors. How- to jail. They marched, picketed and refused to revise and extend their remarks and in- ever, there will be those brave few who will stop until the ‘‘Cotton Curtain’’ fell. clude extraneous material on H.R. 324. stare down this threat and act to undo the in- Ten years after Brown, their dream was The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there justice they face. The Greensboro Four rep- achieved when Congress passed the 1964 objection to the request of the gen- resent those brave few who dared to act in the Civil Rights Act outlawing segregation in public tleman from Pennsylvania?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:01 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK2\NO_SSN\BR15FE05.DAT BR15FE05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 15, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 2323 There was no objection. thur Stacey Mastrapa. This measure, as a postal worker, and finally as a Re- Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- which was introduced by the gen- serve MP. He was called to serve his self such time as I may consume. tleman from Florida (Mr. FEENEY) on country, which he did proudly with the Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. January 25, 2005, and unanimously re- utmost integrity.’’ 324, a bill to designate the U.S. postal ported by our committee on February His calling led him to join the Army facility at 321 Montgomery Road in 9, 2005, enjoys the support and co-spon- in 1992 and then as he left the Army, to Altamonte Springs, Florida, as the Ar- sorship of the entire Florida delega- reenlist in the Army Reserves after his thur Stacey Mastrapa Post Office tion. active duty years ended. Building. I thank the gentleman from Mr. Mastrapa was a city letter car- His career outside the Reserve was Florida (Mr. FEENEY) for sponsoring rier at the Arthur Springs Post Office also in service of his fellow citizens, this legislation to honor Sergeant who served in the United States Army this time in central Florida. As a post- Mastrapa, a courageous American hero Military Police in Iraq when he was al worker in Altamonte Springs, Flor- whom our Nation lost in the war on killed in action on June 16, 2004. He was ida, he earned the respect of those terror. 35 years old and due to return home the around him. One of his colleagues said Sergeant Arthur Mastrapa of week that he was killed. of his work, ‘‘I respected him for his Apopka, Florida, an Army Reservist Arthur Stacey Mastrapa joined the positive outlook and his level head. and military police officer, was killed U.S. Army in 1992 and served at the Also, his customers remarked how in a rocket attack at a logistics sup- Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and later much they liked him and appreciated port facility in Balad, Iraq, on June 16, in Germany. He left active duty in 1998 his dedication. He was a hard worker 2004. He was 35 years old. His loss was and joined the U.S. Army Reserve. He and good family man.’’ made more tragic because it came just became a letter carrier casual in Two years ago, Sergeant Mastrapa 2 days before he was due to return Altamonte Springs and soon earned a answered the call to serve for what home with his comrades in the 351st career appointment. turned out to be the final time. He and Military Police Company, based in Sergeant Mastrapa was called back his Reserve unit, the 351st Military Po- Ocala, Florida. He is survived by his to active duty in 2003 to serve in Oper- lice, were deployed to Iraq. Last June loving wife, Jennifer, and his two lov- ation Enduring Freedom. During his in Iraq, Sergeant Mastrapa made the ing children, Marisa and Reese. military service, he earned medals for ultimate sacrifice. Nothing could be more appropriate or good conduct and service in the na- All human beings strive to occupy a fitting than to name this post office tional defense. He received two Army valued place. One observer has offered after Sergeant Mastrapa. Mastrapa was Achievement medals and ribbons for this definition for this desire: ‘‘You oc- a Reservist and a postal letter carrier service in military law enforcement. cupy a valued place if other people who worked full time at this post office Sergeant Mastrapa was a loving fam- would miss you if you were gone.’’ on Montgomery Road in Altamonte ily man. He left behind a wife and two Mr. Speaker, Arthur Mastrapa occu- Springs. I hope and pray that the dedi- children and many, many relatives in pied a valued place. He left behind a cation of this facility in Altamonte the central Florida area, Cuba, Michi- wife, Jennifer, and two children Marisa Springs will be a meaningful reminder gan, and Australia. He was also loved and Reese. They, along with the rest of of Arthur’s life and service to his fam- and respected by his co-workers at the his family, miss him terribly. ily, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. post office. His co-workers miss him as well. One The Mastrapa family needs to know Designating the post office in described Sergeant Mastrapa as a man that the heartfelt thoughts and prayers Altamonte Springs, Florida, is an ex- who ‘‘loved his job, loved his family, of all the Members of the House of Rep- cellent way to honor the memory of loved his country.’’ resentatives are with them. We join Arthur Stacey Mastrapa. Another said, ‘‘I only knew him a them in mourning their loss. Mr. Speaker, I commend my col- short time but it was long enough to The United States of America owes league for sponsoring this measure. I know what a great guy he was. Arthur its security and freedom to people like urge swift passage of the bill. was a family man. He loved his kids Arthur Mastrapa. Sergeant Mastrapa Mr. Speaker, I have no further speak- and wanted them with him all of the and our Armed Forces have helped to ers at this time, and I yield back the time.’’ prevent another attack against Amer- balance of my time. b 1445 ica since September 11, 2001, by taking Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such the war on terror straight to where our time as he may consume to the gen- So in an attempt to honor a man who enemies live and plot. Certainly, the tleman from Florida (Mr. FEENEY), my occupied a valued place, his coworkers wonderful democratic election in Iraq distinguished colleague, the sponsor of requested that a special place be on January 30 was in no small part pos- H.R. 324. named for him, the post office in sible to Sergeant Mastrapa’s heroism. Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Altamonte Springs, Florida, the very I know the Iraqi people, like all my friends from Pennsylvania and Illi- place Sergeant Mastrapa worked prior Americans, would thank Arthur if they nois who did a great job describing the to leaving for Iraq for what turned out could. sacrifice that Mr. Mastrapa gave to his to be his final journey. Mr. Speaker, I thank the House lead- country on behalf of the citizens of Today, we are here to carry out his ership for selecting this bill for floor Iraq and, actually, freedom throughout colleagues’ wish so they are reminded consideration, and I greatly thank my the world. of Arthur Mastrapa when they arrive distinguished colleague from Florida Mr. Speaker, today we honor a man for work each new day, and so his wife, for working on H.R. 324. I urge all who honored us and dedicated his life his children, his family and his friends Members to support this honor for Ser- to serving others. I thought I would can come to see his name and remem- geant Arthur Mastrapa. take a few minutes to share some of ber his service, his sacrifice and his de- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of the hometown effects of the loss of Ser- cency. my time. geant Mastrapa. In closing, I would like to borrow Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I Arthur Stacey Mastrapa put country from the words of President Harry Tru- yield myself such time as I may con- and others above self. He possessed a man who said, ‘‘We know that helping sume. unique calling for both service and op- others is the best way, probably the Mr. Speaker, as a member of the timism that left a mark on the lives of only way to achieve a better future for House Committee on Government Re- all he met. ourselves.’’ form, I am pleased to join my colleague His sister-in-law, Tracy Mastrapa, Arthur Stacey Mastrapa’s desire to in consideration of H.R. 324, legislation described this calling: ‘‘He dedicated help others and serve his country has naming the postal facility in his life to public service, first in active made the future a better place to live. Altamonte Springs, Florida, after Ar- duty as a military police officer, then I urge my colleagues to approve H. Res.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:01 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK2\NO_SSN\BR15FE05.DAT BR15FE05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 2324 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE February 15, 2005 324 and create a lasting memorial to defend their title and win another Super Francisco 49ers in the 1980s, and the Sergeant Mastrapa’s name. Bowl; Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s. Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Whereas wide-receiver Deion Branch, who This was the Patriots’ ninth straight Members to support H. Res. 324, and I had a record-tying 11 catches for 133 yards, win in the playoffs over the past 4 was selected as the Most Valuable Player years, which equals the great run of yield back the balance of my time. (MVP) of the Super Bowl for the first time, The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. joining two-time Super Bowl MVP quarter- Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers TERRY). The question is on the motion back Tom Brady as the only Patriots in NFL during the 1960s as the best pro-season offered by the gentleman from Penn- history chosen to receive this prestigious stretch of all time. Led by their infal- sylvania (Mr. DENT) that the House award; and lible coach Bill Belichick, quarterback suspend the rules and pass the bill, Whereas all of New England is proud of the Tom Brady, safety Rodney Harrison H.R. 324. accomplishments of the entire Patriots orga- and Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch, The question was taken. nization and the dedication of the faithful the Patriots continued to do whatever New England fans throughout the 2004–05 it takes to win big games, and the The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the NFL season: Now, therefore, be it opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of Resolved, That the House of Representa- Brady branch connection proved too those present have voted in the affirm- tives congratulates the National Football much for the Eagles. They have won ative. League Champion New England Patriots on each of their three Super Bowls by just Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, on that I de- their extraordinary victory in Super Bowl three points, but Mr. Speaker, I want mand the yeas and nays. XXXIX. to take a moment to recognize our The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Philadelphia Eagles for their out- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the rule, the gentleman from standing season as well. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Pennsylvania (Mr. DENT) and the gen- The Eagles went 13–3 during the reg- Chair’s prior announcement, further tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each ular season and reached the Super proceedings on this motion will be will control 20 minutes. Bowl for the first time since 1981 and postponed. The Chair recognizes the gentleman the second time in team history. Quar- from Pennsylvania (Mr. DENT). terback Donovan McNabb has been f their catalyst all season. He threw for GENERAL LEAVE a whopping 357 yards and three touch- CONGRATULATING THE NEW ENG- Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- downs on Super Bowl Sunday, and wide LAND PATRIOTS FOR WINNING mous consent that all Members may receiver Terrell Owens, who broke his SUPER BOWL XXXIX have 5 legislative days within which to leg and tore a knee ligament just 7 revise and extend their remarks and in- Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I move to weeks before the Super Bowl, returned clude extraneous material on H. Res. suspend the rules and agree to the reso- for the first time and remarkably 86, the resolution under consideration. lution (H. Res. 86) congratulating the caught nine passes for 122 yards. New England Patriots for winning The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Over 130 million Americans are esti- Super Bowl XXXIX. objection to the request of the gen- mated to have watched at least part of The Clerk read as follows: tleman from Pennsylvania? the Super Bowl, nearly half of all resi- There was no objection. H. RES. 86 dents. Super Bowl Sunday has become Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Whereas on February 6, 2005, in Jackson- an unofficial holiday in this country, self such time as I may consume. ville, Florida, the New England Patriots de- and for the third time in 4 years, the Mr. Speaker, I am truly honored to feated the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of New England Patriots, and the Brady be a new Member of the House. I look 24 to 21 in Super Bowl XXXIX to win the Na- branch connection in particular, forward with great anticipation to this tional Football League (NFL) Championship; proved to all of us that they are indeed Whereas the Patriots’ victory in Super body’s numerous deliberations on con- the champions of football. Bowl XXXIX resulted in their third cham- sequential issues in the months and pionship in the last four years, the first Mr. Speaker, while I am indeed years ahead. Engaging in debate for heartbroken and crestfallen in the being a 20 to 17 victory over the St. Louis this resolution, however, is unfortu- Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI and the second wake of the Eagles’ loss, I want to sin- being a 32 to 29 victory over the Carolina nately not one that I have looked for- cerely congratulate my colleague, the Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII; ward to. gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 86 Whereas the Patriots’ victory over the Ea- FRANK) both for the success of his Pa- gles clinched back-to-back championships congratulates the New England Patri- triots and for moving forward this res- for the first time in franchise history; ots on winning Super Bowl XXXIX over olution on the team’s behalf. Whereas in winning Super Bowl XXXIX, the Philadelphia Eagles 24 to 21 on Feb- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of the Patriots became only the second fran- ruary 6, Super Bowl Sunday. As a big chise in NFL history to win three Super my time. Eagles’ fan myself, I know the rules of Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Bowls in four years; the House preclude me from wearing Whereas beginning during the 2003 season it is my pleasure to yield such time as and stretching into the 2004 season, the Pa- this hat, but I thought I would just he might consume to the gentleman triots won 21 consecutive games, 18 during show it to our audience. I am a dear from Massachusetts (Mr. MARKEY), a the regular season and 3 during the post-sea- and devoted Eagles’ fan, but I had a son of New England and a very proud son, setting franchise and league records for very tough day, as did millions of other Patriots fan. consecutive victories; Eagles’ fans across the country. Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Whereas owner Robert Kraft, through With this Super Bowl title, their the gentleman very much for the time. sound management and by instilling a team- third in the last four seasons, the Pa- I thank the gentleman from Massa- first philosophy, has made the Patriots the triots have indeed earned their place model NFL franchise; chusetts (Mr. FRANK) for asking for Whereas Head Coach Bill Belichick, Offen- atop the football world, and they de- this time for a resolution to honor our sive Coordinator Charlie Weis, and Defensive serve this honor from the House. great New England Patriots who now Coordinator Romeo Crennel, stressing team- On behalf of all Members, I salute the go down into history as one of the work and determination, led the Patriots to Patriots for solidifying their place as greatest football teams of all time, and their ninth straight playoff victory by win- one of the most successful dynasties in in honor of that, I have a very brief ning Super Bowl XXXIX and to their second NFL history. poem that I thought I would read to consecutive 14 win regular season, advancing In this era of great parity in the honor this great family and great to the Super Bowl by defeating the record- NFL, the Patriots’ recent success may team. setting Indianapolis Colts and the number not soon be replicated. Their three one seeded Pittsburgh Steelers in the Amer- To the New England Patriots: ican Football Conference (AFC) playoffs; Super Bowls put New England in a The New England Patriots we proud- Whereas the Patriots’ ability to win de- class with other great franchises in ly honor today, they’ve won three spite serious injuries is a testament to the pro-football history, like the Pitts- Super Bowls in 4 years with their re- coaching staff and the desire of the team to burgh Steelers in the 1970s, the San markable play.

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