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[Page H4366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DR. C.O. SIMPKINS, SR., POST OFFICE
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend
the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5384) to designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 100 Crosby Street in
Mansfield, Louisiana, as the ``Dr. C.O. Simpkins, Sr., Post Office''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5384
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DR. C.O. SIMPKINS, SR., POST OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 100 Crosby Street in Mansfield, Louisiana,
shall be known and designated as the ``Dr. C.O. Simpkins,
Sr., Post Office''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Dr. C.O. Simpkins, Sr., Post Office''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Cloud) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
General Leave
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. 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. 5384 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 100 Crosby Street in Mansfield, Louisiana, as the Dr. C.O.
Simpkins, Sr., Post Office.
Born and raised in Mansfield, Louisiana, Dr. Simpkins attended Wiley
College and Tennessee State University for his undergraduate studies
before earning a degree in dentistry from Meharry Medical College.
Following his undergraduate education, he joined the U.S. Air Force,
obtaining the rank of captain before being honorably discharged.
After his military service, he returned to Shreveport, Louisiana, to
open a dental practice. During this time, he became very involved with
the civil rights movement and was a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther
King.
This drew the attention of racist organizations like the Ku Klux
Klan, and his home and office were firebombed. Fearing for his safety,
Dr. Simpkins moved to New York, where he continued to advocate for
civil rights.
After living in New York for 26 years, Dr. Simpkins returned to
Shreveport, reopened his dental practice, and pursued a career in
politics. He won a seat in the Louisiana State House of
Representatives, where he served for one term before returning to his
dental practice full time.
He retired from his practice in 2011. Dr. Simpkins passed away on
December 4, 2019, at the age of 94. We are pleased to honor his legacy
and memory by naming a post office in his honor.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Johnson, the distinguished
ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary's Subcommittee on the
Constitution, Civil Rights, and Liberties, for this bill to honor this
community and civil rights leader.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5384 to designate
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Crosby
Street in Mansfield, Louisiana, as the Dr. C.O. Simpkins, Sr., Post
Office.
Dr. Simpkins joined the U.S. Air Force after school, attaining the
rank of captain before being honorably discharged.
Following his military service, he returned to Shreveport and opened
a dental practice.
He became involved in the civil rights movement, serving with Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Unfortunately, his involvement drew the
attention of racist organizations, such as the Ku Klux Klan, tragically
resulting in his home and office being firebombed.
Fearing for his safety, Dr. Simpkins moved to New York, where he
continued to be an advocate for civil rights.
After living in New York for 26 years, Dr. Simpkins returned to
Shreveport, reopened his dental practice, and pursued a career in
politics. He won a seat in the Louisiana State House of
Representatives, where he served for one term before returning to his
dental practice full time. He continued working at his dental practice
until retiring in 2011.
He passed away on December 4, 2019, at the age of 94.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage
of H.R. 5384, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5384.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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