[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 30 (Friday, February 16, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2162-S2163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   VOTING RIGHTS ACT REAUTHORIZATION

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure to come before 
the Senate today to speak on legislation that the Senate passed last 
night, S. 188.
  Just last month, I introduced S. 188 with Senators Reid, Leahy, 
Feinstein, Boxer, and Menendez. This straightforward measure would 
incorporate 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.
  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.
  I would like to thank Senator Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary 
Committee, for his support. I sincerely appreciate his efforts to 
quickly steer S. 188 through his committee. I enthusiastically 
supported last year's Voting Rights Act reauthorization. I firmly 
believe that this landmark civil rights legislation has opened the door 
for millions of Hispanic Americans to fully exercise their right to 
participate in our democracy.
  Adding Cesar E. Chavez's name sends an important message to Hispanic 
Americans. It signals to the Nation's 40 million Hispanics that the 
Voting Rights Act has been reauthorized with their interest and 
constitutional rights in mind. During the Judiciary Committee's 
consideration of S. 188, Senator Leahy offered an amendment that 
incorporated another important American leader. His amendment to add 
William C. Velasquez to the title of the Voting Rights Act 
reauthorization bill has my strong and unequivocal support.
  In 1974, Mr. Velasquez founded the Southwest Voter Registration 
Education Project, SVREP. Using his powerful slogan--Su Voto es Su Voz 
or your vote is your voice--he energized the Hispanic community and 
registered many to vote. Mr. Velasquez envisioned a time when Latinos 
would play an important role in the American democratic process. When 
SVREP was established, there were only 1,566 Latino elected officials. 
Today, there are over 6,000 Hispanics elected to local, State, and 
Federal office, including 3 U.S. Senators and 23 U.S. Representatives. 
Like Cesar E. Chavez, Mr. Velasquez did not live to see the remarkable 
progress our country has made. He passed away in 1988 from kidney 
cancer. However, I am sure he is looking down on this body with joy and 
pride.

[[Page S2163]]

  In addition, Senator Cornyn sought to include the name of former 
Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who also played an integral part in the 
history of the Voting Rights Act, and Dr. Hector Garcia, founder of the 
American GI Forum.
  Congresswoman Jordan was certainly a remarkable civil rights and 
social justice leader and I support her inclusion in my legislation. In 
addition, Dr. Garcia fought for half a century for civil and education 
rights for Mexican Americans.
  Former President Bill Clinton, who first met Dr. Garcia while 
registering voters in the Rio Grande Valley in 1972, called him a 
``national hero.'' In the coming months, I will work with Senator 
Cornyn to find another appropriate manner to honor Dr. Garcia's work 
with the American G.I. Forum. The American G.I. Forum was established 
in the wake of World War II when Hispanic veterans returned home and 
were categorically denied their G.I. Bill of Rights benefits. Dr. 
Garcia was propelled into the national spotlight when he fought to have 
Army PVT Longoria buried alongside others in the local cemetery in his 
hometown of Three Rivers, TX. Dr. Garcia called Members of Congress and 
alerted the press to this injustice.
  Within 24 hours, he received a telegram from then Senator Lyndon B. 
Johnson that stated:

       I deeply regret to learn that the prejudice of some 
     individuals extends even beyond this life. I have no 
     authority over civilian funeral homes. Nor does the federal 
     government. However, I have made arrangements to have Felix 
     Longoria buried with full military honors in Arlington 
     National Cemetery ... where the honored dead of our nation's 
     war rest.

  As our Nation moves forward toward the next chapter of civic equality 
and inclusion, starting, last year, with the reauthorization of the 
Voting Rights Act, it is fitting that we honor civil rights leaders 
whose contributions and courage helped pave the way for today's more 
inclusive democracy.
  With the Senate's passage of S. 188, my attention and efforts will 
now focus on the U.S. House of Representatives. I am hopeful that they 
will approve this measure so that this landmark law can now be known as 
the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Cesar E. Chavez, 
Barbara Jordan, William C. Velasquez, and Hector P. Garcia Voting 
Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006.
  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, today I wish to speak about the 
accomplishments of the Kansas Air National Guard, and specifically of 
the 190th Air Refueling Wing.
  I have made several statements on the floor recently regarding my 
feelings on these resolutions. And today, instead of repeating my 
feelings on the subject, I would like to acknowledge some of our 
country's brave men and women.
  As we all know, our Nation has been relying heavily on our National 
Guard in the war on terror. In Kansas, it is no different. However, 
these men and women continually rise to the challenge, saving lives and 
defending democracy at home and abroad.
  Next week, we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 190th Air 
Refueling Wing in Kansas. The enormous sacrifice and dedication of the 
men and women serving in 190th brings great credit to their unit and to 
the State of Kansas.
  This outstanding organization began as the 117th Fighter-Interceptor 
Squadron in Hutchinson, KS. The unit was federally recognized on 
February 23, 1957.
  Next week they will celebrate 50 years of flying aircraft--from the 
F-80 to the B-57 to the KC-135 tankers they maintain today.
  Since 1967, the 190th has been based in our State capital of Topeka, 
KS. They continue to be leaders in the State and in the Air National 
Guard, which is evident through their most recent awards--the Spaatz 
trophy for outstanding Air National Guard Flying Wing and the Air Force 
Outstanding Unit Award.
  As we continue to debate the difficult topic of our presence in Iraq, 
I hope my colleagues will take a moment to recognize, with me, the 
outstanding contributions of our Nation's troops. Not only has our 
volunteer force proven themselves the best in the world, our citizen 
soldiers have proven themselves second to none.
  I hope we will remember the personal sacrifices of these men and 
women as we debate our support for them and their mission.

                          ____________________