[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE `WILLIE VELASQUEZ' COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, throughout the 2000 Presidential 
election, talk from both sides of the isle focused on the growing 
prominence of Latino voters in the American political system. Of the 
total number of registered voters in the United States, Latinos 
currently comprise almost 6 percent. And according to the United States 
Census Bureau, 12.5 percent of the total U.S. population or 35.3 
million Americans are Hispanic.
  Legislation I introduced today would recognize William C. ``Willie'' 
Velasquez for his pioneering work to empower Latinos and other minority 
groups through voter registration. Coining the famous phrase, ``Su voto 
es su voz,'' ``Your vote is your voice,'' Willie not only translated 
words describing the influence of the vote, he raised a battle cry for 
political activism that can still be heard today.
  Throughout the American Southwest, Willie was recognized as a 
selfless advocate of the politically under represented. An outstanding 
leader who inspired others to play an active role in American 
democracy, Willie dedicated his life to empowering the Hispanic 
community through voter registration, hard work, and education. His 
efforts are largely responsible for the unprecedented growth in the 
number of registered Hispanic, Native American and low-income voters 
across the country.
  Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Willie helped to lay the foundation 
of political activism which brought the importance of the Hispanic vote 
to prominence in the 2000 Presidential election. In large part due to 
the civil rights organizations Willie founded, voter registration grew 
from 2.4 million registered Latinos in 1974 to nearly 8 million in 
2000.
  In 1974, he founded the Southwest Voter Registration Education 
Project and the Southwest Voter Research Institute (now known as the 
William C. Velasquez Institute). Under Willie's leadership, Southwest 
Voter registered Hispanics, Native Americans and low-income citizens 
across the country in unprecedented numbers. The research institute 
enjoyed similar success, emerging as a preeminent institution in the 
analysis of Hispanic voting trends and demographics.
  Sadly, Willie passed away in June 1988 without the opportunity to see 
the full benefits of much of his groundbreaking advocacy work. Congress 
adjourned for the day upon learning of his passing, and people across 
the country lamented the untimely loss of the prominent community 
organizer and leader. President Clinton later presented the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom to his widow Janie Velasquez and their 
children.
  A request I submitted to the U.S. Postal Service's Citizens Stamp 
Advisory Committee was unfortunately denied, but Willie's legacy 
remains an example for all those who believe in civil rights, 
democracy, and equality. I hope you will agree that his memory is 
worthy of national recognition and join my efforts to encourage the 
U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative stamp in Willie's honor.
  Now, more than ever before, the Hispanic voice has been heard and 
courted by both Democrats and Republicans. Today I urge all my 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize Willie's life-
long work and the importance of the Hispanic vote with a commemorative 
postage stamp.

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