Maya Angelou Memorial Post Office

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. RUSSELL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3735) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 Town Run Lane in Winston Salem, North Carolina, as the ``Maya Angelou Memorial Post Office''.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3735

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. MAYA ANGELOU MEMORIAL POST OFFICE.

(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 Town Run Lane in Winston Salem, North Carolina, shall be known and designated as the ``Maya Angelou Memorial 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 ``Maya Angelou Memorial Post Office''.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

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

I rise in support of H.R. 3735, which was introduced by Congresswoman Alma Adams of North Carolina and is supported by the entire North Carolina delegation. The bill designates the post office located at 200 Town Run Lane in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as the Maya Angelou Memorial Post Office.

Madam Speaker, Dr. Maya Angelou held a distinguished career that earned her over 80 honorary degrees. She was an American author, poet, and civil rights activist.

Dr. Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1981, she moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she accepted the Lifetime William Neal Reynolds Professorship of American Studies at Wake Forest University. For over 30 years, she served as a professor at Wake Forest University and became a community leader.

Dr. Angelou made literary history with her 1969 acclaimed memoir, ``I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,'' when she became the first African American woman to make the nonfiction bestseller list.

She served on two Presidential committees: the American Revolution Bicentennial Council, under President Ford, and the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, under President Carter.

In 1993, upon the request of President Clinton, Dr. Angelou composed a poem to read at his inauguration. That poem, entitled ``On the Pulse of Morning,'' was broadcast live around the world. In 2000, President Clinton awarded Dr. Angelou the National Medal of Arts.

She received recognition from the White House under the following Presidents as well. In 2005, Dr. Angelou penned and delivered the poem entitled ``Amazing Peace'' for President George W. Bush at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. In 2010, President Barack Obama presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor.

Dr. Angelou called Winston-Salem home, which became her final resting place on May 28, 2014. Madam Speaker, H.R. 3735 would name a post office in her honor, a post office located in the community she called home.

I urge Members to support this bill.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. RUSSELL. Madam Speaker,

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. RUSSELL. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. RUSSELL. Madam Speaker, I urge the adoption of the bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source