U.S. Senator Ken Salazar Member: Finance, Agriculture, Energy, Ethics and Aging Committees 2300 15^th Street, Suite 450 Denver, CO 80202 | 702 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
For Immediate Release January 5, 2007		CONTACT: Cody Wertz – Comm. Director 303-455-7600 Andrew Nannis – Press Secretary 202-224-5852
Sen. Salazar Introduces Bill Adding César Chávez’s Name to Voting Rights Act WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senator Ken Salazar introduced a bill late yesterday to add César Chávez’s name to the title of the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. Famed civil rights leader César Chávez spent his life’s work fighting for the rights of America’s poor and vulnerable through the power of democracy. The bill is S. 188. Last year, at the request of Senator Salazar, Senator Patrick Leahy introduced an amendment in the Senate Judiciary Committee which added Chavez’ name to the Senate’s bill. The Committee reported out the “Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, and César E. Chávez Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006,” but ultimately the House version of the bill was approved by the full Senate and did not include Chávez’s name. Given the historic and future impact of the civil rights law on the Latino community, incorporating Chávez is critical. “César Chávez believed strongly in the democracy of America and saw the right to vote as a cornerstone of our freedom,” said Senator Salazar. “He is an American hero and his contributions to our democracy are undeniable. It is fitting that his name be a part of the process of reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act.” Senator Salazar proudly cast his vote last year to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act and spoke on the floor in support of the measure. The complete text of Senator Salazar’s floor speech, as prepared, can be accessed by clicking here. # # #