[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 18, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S8755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL:
  S. 2953. A bill to redesignate the Colonnade Center in Denver, 
Colorado, as the ``Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building''; to the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to 
name the Federal building located at 1244 Speer Boulevard, Denver, CO., 
as the ``Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building.''
  Cesar E. Chavez was an ordinary American who left behind an 
extraordinary legacy of commitment and accomplishment.
  Born on March 31, 1927 in Yuma Arizona on a farm his grandfather 
homesteaded in the 1880's, he began his life as a migrant farm worker 
at the age of 10 when the family lost the farm during the Great 
Depression. Those were desperate years for the Chavez family as they 
joined the thousands of displaced people who were forced to migrate 
throughout the country to labor in the fields and vineyards.
  Motivated by the poverty and harsh working conditions, he began to 
follow his dream of establishing an organization dedicated to helping 
these farm workers. In 1962 he founded the National Farm Workers 
Association which would eventually evolve into the United Farm Workers 
of America.
  Over the next three decades with an unwavering commitment to 
democratic principals and a philosophy of non-violence he struggled to 
secure a living wage, health benefits and safe working conditions for 
arguably the most exploited work force in our country, that they might 
enjoy the basic protections and workers right to which all Americans 
aspire.
  In 1945, at the age of 18 Cesar Chavez joined the U.S. Navy and 
served his country for two years. He was the recipient of the Martin 
Luther King Jr. Peace Prize as well as the Presidential medal of 
Freedom, the highest award this country can bestow upon a civilian.
  Chavez's efforts brought dignity and respect to this country's farm 
workers and in doing so became a hero, role model and inspiration to 
people engaged in human rights struggles throughout the world.
  The naming of this building will keep alive the memory of his 
sacrifice and commitment for the millions of people whose lives he 
touched.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2953

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

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF CESAR E. CHAVEZ MEMORIAL BUILDING.

       The building known as the Colonnade Center, located at 1244 
     Speer Boulevard, Denver, Colorado, shall be known and 
     designated as the ``Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the building referred 
     to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the 
     Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building.
                                 ______