[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2020)] [House] [Pages H827-H828] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ARETHA FRANKLIN POST OFFICE BUILDING Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3976) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12711 East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, as the ``Aretha Franklin Post Office Building''. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3976 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. ARETHA FRANKLIN POST OFFICE BUILDING. (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12711 East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, shall be known and designated as the ``Aretha Franklin Post Office Building''. (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 ``Aretha Franklin Post Office Building''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Meadows) 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 may 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. 3976, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 12711 East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, as the Aretha Franklin Post Office Building. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Representative Brenda Lawrence, for introducing this important measure to honor a cultural and civil rights heroine. Aretha Franklin, the ``Queen of Soul,'' was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist from Detroit, Michigan. Over her career, Aretha Franklin was awarded 18 Grammy awards, along with various lifetime achievement recognitions. Her unique vocal style not only influenced generations of future singers, but it also earned her the number one spot on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the Greatest Singers of All Time. Aretha Franklin was also a champion for civil rights and women's rights. She frequently donated to civil rights groups, and two of her biggest hits, ``Respect'' and ``You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman,'' became anthems for social change movements across the country. In 1987, she was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2005. Aretha Franklin died of advanced pancreatic cancer on August 16, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan. Naming a post office in the city she cherished so fondly would recognize her important cultural and civic accomplishments. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3976, introduced by my friend, Representative Brenda Lawrence. This bill, as has been mentioned, names a post office located in Detroit, Michigan, in honor of the ``Queen of Soul,'' Aretha Franklin. Aretha Franklin was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist, and so we want to give honor where honor is due. She began her career as a child singing at her church in Detroit. For the next six decades, her distinctive voice captivated listeners and influenced countless other singers. [[Page H828]] So it is my delight to rise in support of this particular bill. It is out of ``Respect'' for my good friend from Michigan, and so we will ``Say a Little Prayer'' and hope that this goes through. {time} 1615 Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence), the author of this bill. Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I will start by thanking the leadership on the Committee on Oversight and Reform for marking up this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3976, which would rename a post office in my hometown of Detroit after the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. As was mentioned earlier, she was an 18 Grammy Award winner; a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; and the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She performed at three inaugural events for Presidents Carter, Clinton, and Barack Obama. She was a woman who was respected on both sides of the aisle where President Bush issued her the Medal of Freedom. ``A Natural Woman'' singer, she was more than just a music icon. She was a civil rights advocate who used her platform and voice to advocate for racial equality. I knew her personally and she would talk to me about being a child and having Martin Luther King in her home with her dad discussing policies and what they were going to do to fight together for racial equality. In 1967, Aretha released ``Respect,'' which became a rally cry for racial and gender political movements of the time. Although people remember Aretha Franklin as the ``Queen of Soul'' she was more than just a vocalist. Aretha used her platform to become a beacon of hope for people during the civil rights movement and her voice served as a perfect guiding light. In 1967, she toured with Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier to raise money for Dr. Martin Luther King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The organization was in a dire financial state and would soon become the Poor People's Campaign. In 1970, few people knew Aretha Franklin posted bond for Angela Davis, a prominent activist who was jailed on trumped-up charges. In 1970, a Jet magazine article quoted Aretha Franklin: ``Black people will be free. I have been locked up for disturbing the peace in Detroit and I know you got to disturb the peace when you can't get no peace. Jail is hell to be in. I'm going to see her free if there is any justice in our courts . . . because she's a Black woman and she wants freedom for Black people.'' In her 1999 autobiography, ``Aretha: From These Roots'' described the impact Detroit had on her childhood and career. ``Detroiters realize how deeply I appreciate the city in which I was raised. And it is in Detroit that I continue to cultivate my career; it is to Detroit that I direct most of my charitable activities; and it is from Detroit that I receive much love and support, which I reciprocate.'' No matter how famous she became worldwide, Aretha always gave back to the city she grew up in. She frequently hosted community events for congregants in her father's church, and she donated to organizations like Save the Children and Easterseals and supported local food banks across Detroit. In the year after her passing, an outpouring of support has led to the renaming of Detroit monuments in her honor--and I am so proud and happy to stand here today, personally knowing her, traveling with her on her tours--to include a post office near her home in Detroit to the list of ways to commemorate this amazing woman. While there is little that can truly demonstrate our appreciation for Aretha Franklin, I hope her family knows how proud and thankful we all are for her lifelong support. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to give a little support R-E-S-P-E- C-T, to this legislation. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell). Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Madam Chair for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3976, the bill sponsored by my colleague, Mrs. Lawrence, and by the members of the Michigan delegation. This bill honors the ``Queen of Soul,'' Aretha Franklin, and her innumerable contributions to music. Her faith in Detroit and its people is what I remember as much as her voice. This legislation serves as a fitting tribute to her esteemed legacy. Aretha Franklin grew up singing at the New Bethel Baptist Church with her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin. Aretha's father was a good and dear friend to John Dingell, helping him early in his career. The two of them fought side by side in the fifties and the sixties for civil rights legislation. Aretha's career includes more than 20 Grammy Awards, the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. However, it is Aretha's message through music of respect, love, and faith that will stay with us for generations. Today, I stand with my Michigan colleagues and urge every Member to honor Aretha Franklin's legacy. Her contributions to our country are deserving of this recognition, and maybe we need to have her up there, up there with John, ``say a little prayer'' for us. Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I will just cut to the chase. Let's get this thing done and get it over with and make sure that we show the ``respect'' that we should. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 3976. I had the opportunity to meet Aretha Franklin several times. She was a great friend of Charlie Rangel and would often perform for his events. She very generously gave her time to raise money for all kinds of civic rights events. She was a remarkable person and a great singer. Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to support this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Carson of Indiana). 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. 3976. 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. ____________________