[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S13798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER:
  S. 1846. A bill to redesignate the Federal building located at 10301 
South Compton Avenue, in Los Angeles, California, and known as the 
Watts Finance Office, as the ``Augustus F. Hawkins Post Office 
Building''; to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.


 Redesignation of the Watts Finance Office Building as The Augustus F. 
                      Hawkins Post Office Building

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today, I am introducing legislation 
to pay tribute to a former colleague of mine and a fellow Californian, 
former Congressman Augustus F. Hawkins, by renaming the Federal 
building located at 10301 South Compton Avenue, in Los Angeles, 
California, currently known as the Watts Finance Office, as the 
Augustus F. Hawkins Post Office Building.
  Gus Hawkins was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1907. His family 
moved to Los Angeles when he was 11 to escape the racial discrimination 
that was prevalent in the South at that time. This experience made him 
a passionate advocate of racial justice and social equality, and he 
committed his life to the service of others.
  His efforts began in the California Assembly where he passed the 
state's first law against discrimination in housing and employment. 
Building on that success, he passed other important legislation 
concerning minimum wages for women, child care centers, workers' 
compensation for domestic employees, and the removal of racial 
designations on state documents.
  In 1962, Gus was elected to the United States House of 
Representatives. During his 28 years in office, he served on the 
Committee on House Administration, and served as Chairman for both the 
Joint Committee on Printing and the Committee on Education and Labor. 
He authored more than 17 federal laws dealing with civil rights, 
educational improvements, job training and employment opportunities. He 
fought tirelessly for the rights of children, the poor, the disabled, 
the elderly, and minorities.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Gus was recognized as a 
hardworking man of integrity who cared little for personal accolades 
while concentrating on the issues affecting his constituents. He has 
continually pursued fairness and opportunity for all.
  Designating the Watts Finance Office Building as the Augustus F. 
Hawkins Post Office Building is an honor befitting his 56 years of 
service to his community and to the State of California.
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