Public Law 117-242 | Public Law 117–242: 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.

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PUBLIC LAW 117–242—DEC. 20, 2022

136 STAT. 2334

Public Law

117–242

117th Congress

An Act

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.

Dec. 20, 2022

[S. 5060]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Paul D. Wellstone Building Act

of 2022.

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;136 STAT. 2335

(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”.

Approved December 20, 2022.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 5060:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 168 (2022):

Nov. 30, considered and passed Senate.

Dec. 13, considered and passed House.

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