[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 4, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6015-H6016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1545
                       BARNEY APODACA POST OFFICE

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5308) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 301 South Howes Street in Fort Collins, Colorado, as 
the ``Barney Apodaca Post Office.''
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 5308

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. BARNEY APODACA POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 301 South Howes Street in Fort Collins, 
     Colorado, shall be known and designated as the ``Barney 
     Apodaca 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 Barney Apodaca Post Office.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H.R. 5308.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5308, introduced by our distinguished colleague, 
the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer), designates the post office 
in Fort Collins, Colorado, as the Barney Apodaca Post Office Building.
  Barney Apodaca, age 60, is a Colorado native. Although he was born 
developmentally disabled, he has been an inspiration to the people of 
Fort Collins, Colorado, through his charity work and his service to the 
community.
  In the early 1970s, Barney began participating in the Special 
Olympics, always seeking opportunities to help others and striving for 
excellence. He has continually encouraged fellow participants and has 
been awarded over 30 medals for his outstanding performance in track 
and field.
  Above all, Barney is committed to serving others. Despite his own 
disabilities, he has spent countless hours raising money to benefit the 
American Cancer Society, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, AIDSwalk 
Colorado, Northern Colorado Youth Hockey, and Poudre Valley Hospital.
  A talented bowler, Barney has also raised money for individuals in 
his community with special needs by participating in numerous bowl-a-
thons and other fundraising events.
  In addition to his work on behalf of charities, Barney has obtained 
and maintains two, sometimes three, part-time jobs and works diligently 
for the city of Fort Collins, which has presented him with two awards 
recognizing his outstanding service to the community.
  Barney Apodaca is an exceptional citizen who has dedicated his life 
to helping improving the quality of life for his community and by 
reaching out to those in need.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentlewoman from Maryland 
in consideration of H.R. 5308, introduced by the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Schaffer) on July 26, 2002.
  Mr. Barney Apodaca is a native of Colorado who is committed to 
serving his community. As a disabled individual, Mr. Apodaca has been 
participating in the Special Olympics for more than 30 years. In 
addition to helping raise awareness for the Special Olympics, he has 
won more than 30 medals for his outstanding performance in track and 
field.

[[Page H6016]]

  As an active member of his community, Mr. Apodaca has been a 
relentless fundraiser for charitable causes. He has raised money to 
benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, AIDS, the American Cancer 
Society, and many other deserving causes. He has also worked to assist 
youth sporting organizations and community hospitals. His charitable 
works have earned him recognition for outstanding service to the 
community from the city of Fort Collins.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this bill and commend my 
colleague for seeking to honor citizen Barney Apodaca in this manner, 
an individual who has given consistently, even though he may have been 
physically challenged. But he represents what many individuals who have 
disabilities represent, and that is, the ability to do things not 
always because of but oftentimes in spite of. I can think of no better 
way of acknowledging his contribution than passage of this legislation.
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, as author of this bill, I rise today to 
urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5308, a bill designating the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 301 South Howes 
Street in Fort Collins, Colorado, as the ``Barney Apodaca Post 
Office.''
  Barney Apodaca is a native Coloradoan who embodies the determination, 
perseverance and courage that makes our nation great. Born with mental 
retardation, Barney would not allow his disability to prevent him from 
achieving success. In 1974, he began participating in the Special 
Olympics. Since then, he has won over 30 medals for his outstanding 
performance in a variety of track and field events.
  In recent years, Barney has selflessly raised money for a host of 
charitable causes including Northern Colorado Youth Hockey, the Poudre 
Valley Hospital, AIDS Walk Colorado, the Muscular Dystrophy Association 
and the American Cancer Society. As an avid bowler, he has used his 
skill in the sport to raise money for many of these organizations, as 
well as for individuals with special needs. Although Barney has no 
direct ties to any of these organizations, he spends countless hours 
engaging in charity work because he wants to serve those in need. When 
asked which group he favors, Barney's response is ``all of them.''
  Beloved by his community, Barney has been named the ``Best Local 
Personality'' by the Fort Collins Coloradoan. He has also been 
presented with two achievement awards for his outstanding service to 
the City of Ft. Collins.
  Barney Apodaca is an inspiration to the people of Colorado. He leads 
by example, encouraging people to serve others and strive for 
excellence. His contribution to the City of Ft. Collins is 
immeasurable, and it gives me great pleasure to recognize his 
achievements by designating a United States Post Office in his honor.
  I hereby submit for the Record this partial list of Mr. Barney 
Apodaca's awards and achievements:
     Barney Apodaca Awards and Achievements


                              Achievements

       Attained over 30 medals for his participation in Special 
     Olympics track and field events.
       Voted the ``Best Local Personality'' for several years in a 
     row in the Fort Collins Coloradoan
       Several plaques of recognition for the Alternative 
     Program's Charitable Bowling Initiatives.


                              Fundraising

       First place in candy sales for the Northern Colorado Youth 
     Hockey group for several years in a row in the early 1990's.
       Top Fundraiser for the Poudre Valley Hospital Foundation's 
     ``The Bowling Ball,'' 1997
       Award for obtaining $1,000 in AIDS Walk pledges and for 
     ``Best Volunteer'' at AIDS Walk Colorado.
       Special Recognition from Jerry Lewis for Barney's work for 
     the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), 1995.
       Certificate of Appreciation for the MDA's Storage Tek 
     ``Bowl-A-Thon,'' 1997.
       Top fundraiser for the MDA's Bowl-A-Thon, 1998.
       Certificate of Appreciation for the MDA's ``Be a Star'' 
     program, 1999.
       Participates in annual ``Relay for Life'' walk for the 
     American Cancer Society.
       Participated in the Multiple Sclerosis's ``MS Walk.''
       Raised pledges for the Junior Achievement ``Bowl-A-Thon''.


                               Employment

       Employee Achievement Award from the Aggie Theatre, 1993.
       Employee Achievement Award for 5 years of outstanding 
     service with the City of Fort Collins, 1994.
       Employee Certificate of Appreciation from the Northside 
     Atzlan Community Center for dedication and work performance, 
     1996.
       Employee Achievement Award for an additional 5 years of 
     outstanding service with the City of Fort Collins, 1999
       Obtained and continually maintains 2 to 3 part-time jobs at 
     a time.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5308.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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