Lionel R. Collins, Sr. Post Office Building

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2458 and thank my colleague and friend Congressman Cedric Richmond for his leadership in bringing this important bill to the House floor. The Honorable Lionel R. Collins Sr. is a true Louisiana and American hero, and this bill honors his life and achievements with a fitting tribute.

Judge Collins served on the bench in the 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna, Louisiana and was the first African-American elected to public office in my home parish of Jefferson, Louisiana. He also led the efforts to integrate Jefferson Medical Center and helped integrate Jefferson Parish public schools.

Judge Collins had an innate sense of justice. His colleagues described him as a `hardworking, fair and honest judge . . . tough when he had to be tough, but he had a sense of fairness.'

While we can never fully repay Lionel Collins for his distinguished public service, we can honor his life and legacy as a pioneering civil rights attorney and an education champion in southeast Louisiana by passing this legislation. Judge Collins made meaningful impacts that advanced equality, justice, health care, and access to quality education. In fact, the Ames Montessori elementary school in Marrero was renamed Judge Lionel R. Collins Elementary in 2011.

Our community is better for the life and service of Judge Collins.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this measure to memorialize a respected defender of civil liberties, and I urge passage of this legislation by Congressman Richmond.

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