IV

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 104

Expressing the sense of the Congress that a commemorative postage stamp

should be issued in honor of William C. Vela ́squez, the national Hispanic

civic leader.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 6, 1999

Mr. RODRIGUEZ submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was

referred to the Committee on Government Reform

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress that a commemorative

postage stamp should be issued in honor of William

C. Vela ́squez, the national Hispanic civic leader.

Whereas William C. Vela ́squez, affectionately known as

‘‘Willie’’, paved the way for his generation and future

generations of Hispanics to empower themselves through

voter registration, political empowerment, economic selfreliance, and education;

Whereas the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project

(SVREP), which he founded in 1974, continues Mr.

Vela ́squez’s work of empowering all Americans, through

political participation, by its nonpartisan voter registration, voter education, candidate training, and get-out-thevote efforts;
2

•HCON 104 IH

Whereas the groundbreaking work of Mr. Vela ́squez and his

associates created opportunities for Hispanics to enter

into the political arena, and gain a voice for a significant

community in American society;

Whereas, upon news of his death, the Congress adjourned its

session for the day, symbolically illustrating his singlehanded effect on our political process;

Whereas President Clinton posthumously awarded Mr.

Vela ́squez the Presidential Medal of Freedom, stating

that he ‘‘was driven by an unwavering belief that every

American should have a role in our democracy and a

share in the opportunities of our great Nation’’, adding

that Mr. Vela ́squez ‘‘made this a greater country’’;

Whereas the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in the words of

President Clinton, celebrates those who have changed

America for the better and who embody the best qualities

in our national character;

Whereas cancer cut short Mr. Vela ́squez’s pioneering efforts

in 1988 at the age of 44;

Whereas Mr. Vela ́squez was an American leader who truly

believed that universal political participation was the best

means to hold elected leaders accountable and to hold

America to its founding principle of ‘‘one Nation, under

God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all’’;

Whereas the issuance of a stamp recognizing his contributions will broaden the historical understanding of the development and struggle of the Hispanic community of the

United States and further serve to increase awareness of

the influence of Hispanics on our country; and
3

•HCON 104 IH

Whereas postage stamps have been commissioned to honor

other significant civic and community leaders in American history: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—

3 (1) a postage stamp should be issued by the

4 United States Postal Service in honor of William C.

5 Vela ́squez; and

6 (2) the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee

7 should recommend to the Postmaster General that

8 such a postage stamp be issued.

Æ