Paul D. Wellstone Building Act of 2022
Floor Speech
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Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 5060) to redesignate the Federal building located at 212 Third Avenue South in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the ``Paul D. Wellstone Federal Building'', and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: S. 5060
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Paul D. Wellstone Building Act of 2022''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) Paul David Wellstone was born on July 21, 1944, in Washington, DC, and raised in Arlington, Virginia, as the second child of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants Leon and Minnie Wellstone;
(2) Wellstone graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill--
(A) in 1965, with a bachelor's degree in political science; and
(B) in 1969, with a Ph.D. in political science;
(3) after earning his Ph.D., Wellstone moved to Minnesota to teach political science at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, during which he became an advocate for marginalized communities and fought for improved healthcare, education, housing, and labor and human rights;
(4) as an activist, Wellstone helped to bring attention to issues important to the people by protesting in favor of peace, civil rights, and social justice, including by standing by farmers and working families in their struggles;
(5) in 1990, Wellstone extended his community activism during his first run for the Senate;
(6) as an underdog, Wellstone was the only candidate to unseat an incumbent Senator in the 1990 election;
(7) the grassroots campaign that was run by Wellstone became well-known for the green bus that he used to travel across Minnesota;
(8) Senator Wellstone continued his commitment to activism throughout his time in the Senate, including by pushing for legislation that--
(A) expanded support for mental health care coverage;
(B) increased the Federal minimum wage; and
(C) offered greater funding and protections for workers, seniors, schools, and ``atomic'' veterans;
(9) in 1997, Senator Wellstone traveled across the country on ``The Children's Tour'' to hear from disadvantaged communities across the United States;
(10) on October 25, 2002, at the age of 57, Senator Wellstone was killed in a plane crash in Minnesota along with his wife, daughter, and several campaign staff; and
(11) the loss of Senator Wellstone was mourned across the United States, but his legacy of advocacy and candor will always be remembered. SEC. 3. PAUL D. WELLSTONE FEDERAL BUILDING.
(a) Redesignation.--The Federal building located at 212 Third Avenue South in Minneapolis, Minnesota, shall be known and designated as the ``Paul D. Wellstone Federal Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Federal building referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Paul D. Wellstone Federal Building''.
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Mr. STANTON. 5060.
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Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of S. 5060, a bill to designate the Federal building located at 212 Third Avenue South in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the ``Paul D. Wellstone Federal Building''.
S. 5060 was introduced on October 25, 2022, 20 years to the day that Senator Wellstone; his wife, Sheila; his daughter, Marcia; his staff members, Todd Lapic, Mary McEvoy, and Will McLaughlin; and pilots, Richard Conry and Michael Guess, were killed in a plane crash near Eveleth, Minnesota.
Paul Wellstone was born in Washington, D.C., on July 21, 1944; attended Arlington, Virginia, public schools; received his BA from the University of North Carolina in 1965; earned a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina in 1969; taught political science at Carleton College in Minnesota for 21 years; served as a director of the Minnesota Community Energy Program; was elected to represent Minnesota in the United States Senate in 1990, was reelected in 1996, and served from January 3, 1991, until his death in a plane crash on October 25, 2002.
Paul Wellstone was a champion college wrestler and a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, a college professor for 21 years, a prolific legislator who sponsored 608 bills during his time in the U.S. Senate, and a mentor to generations of future public servants and advocates.
Upon introduction of S. 5060, Senator Klobuchar said, ``During his time as an educator, an activist, and a United States Senator, Paul Wellstone touched the lives of people throughout Minnesota and across the country. That is because he stood up for people, persistently fighting against injustices, small and large. From his passionate advocacy for better care and services for those suffering from mental illness to his leadership on civil rights and campaign finance reform, Paul showed how getting involved in public service can make a real difference in improving people's lives.''
Madam Speaker, I support S. 5060, and I urge my colleagues to join me.
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Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Omar).
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Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, in closing, this bill honors the life of a dedicated public servant, a United States Senator, Paul Wellstone.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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