Ed Markey: “I rise in honor of a friend and former colleague, Jack Fields of Texas. Today the House has designated a post office in…”

“I rise in honor of a friend and former colleague, Jack Fields of Texas. Today the House has designated a post office in Jack's home state of Texas the ``Congressman Jack Fields Post Office.'' On the House Floor this afternoon, we're naming a post office for a man who always knew how to deliver for his constituents. This is a fitting tribute to a gifted legislator who represented the 8th Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1980 to 1996. I was proud to serve with Jack on the Committee on Commerce from 1982 to 1996. In 1995, Jack became the Chairman of the Committee's Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance. As the Subcommittee's Ranking Member, I worked closely with Jack on the first comprehensive reform of the Communications Act of 1934--The Telecommunications Act of 1996--which was designed to encourage competition in all telecommunications-related industries and create an environment in which new telecommunications technologies could thrive. President Clinton signed the bill into law in February 1996. Jack was a trusted colleague. More importantly, he was, and is, one of my best friends. He was a master legislator and a master basketball player. On the House Floor or on the basketball floor, he was always an MVP. He worked across party lines to move legislation forward that benefited the American people. He has retired from Congress, but his distinguished legacy remains.”