[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 1 (Thursday, January 4, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S185-S186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SALAZAR (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Reid, Mr. Menendez, 
        Mrs. Boxer, and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 188. A bill to revise the short title of the Fannie Lou Hamer, 
Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization 
and Amendments Act of 2006; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I rise today to speak on behalf of 
legislation I am introducing today, which has the support and co-
sponsorship of several of my colleagues including Senators Reid, Leahy, 
Feinstein, Boxer and Menendez.
  This is a simple, straight forward measure to include the name of 
Cesar E. Chavez, a truly remarkable civil rights leader and American, 
into the title of the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act passed 
last year.
  With my bill, the title of this Act would be referred to as the 
Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, and Cesar E. Chavez 
Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006. I am 
proud to have been part of a unanimous Senate that reauthorized this 
landmark piece of civil rights legislation. Reauthorizing the Voting 
Rights Act extended the open door for every American to exercise their 
right to participate in the representative democracy founded by our 
Constitution, and cherished by our people. In that spirit, it is 
fitting that Cesar Chavez's name be included with the other names 
honored in this bill--as pioneers who helped pave the way to ensure 
that all Americans have a voice in electing their Government at the 
voting booth.
  Cesar Chavez is an American hero. Like the venerable American leaders 
who are now associated with this effort, he sacrificed his life to 
empower the most vulnerable in America. For this reason, he continues 
to be an important part of our country's journey on the path to a more 
inclusive America. Cesar Chavez believed strongly in our American 
democracy and saw the right to vote as a fundamental cornerstone of our 
freedom. I believe it is fitting that his name be a part of the 
reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act.
  President Lyndon Johnson once stated: ``The vote is the most powerful 
instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and 
destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are 
different from other men.'' With his simple but powerful slogan ``Si Se 
Puede'' or yes, it can be done, Cesar Chavez reminded us of this truth.
  Still, throughout our history and even today, many Americans have 
been shut out of our most fundamental right, the right to vote. When 
President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law, he 
restored the faith of millions of African Americans, Hispanic 
Americans, Native Americans, and others who had historically been kept 
from voting.
  As our Nation moved forward in the next chapter of civic equality and 
inclusion with the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act last year, 
we demonstrated to millions of Hispanic Americans this body's continued 
commitment to safeguarding their right to vote. To include Cesar E. 
Chavez's name to that commitment today is an important change because 
of the message it sends Hispanic Americans. It serves as a signal of 
Congress' commitment to an inclusive America that brings all Americans 
into our democratic process.
  This past November, more than 86 million Americans voted all across 
the country. Fifty years ago, before the enactment of the Voting Rights 
Act, many would not have been able to do so. It is important and 
fitting that we honor those civil rights leaders whose contributions 
and courage helped pave the way for today's more inclusive democracy, 
and it is fitting that the name of Cesar E. Chavez be included with 
them in the title of last year's Voting Rights Act reauthorization. I 
look forward to working with my colleagues on this small change, and am 
hopeful that they will approve my proposal to revise the official title 
of this

[[Page S186]]

landmark reauthorization as the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Coretta 
Scott King, and Cesar E. Chavez Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and 
Amendments Act of 2006.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
                                 ______