[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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