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Dallas, TX - (Thursday, October 26, 2006) - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson announced today that she will join the Post Office and community leaders in a ceremony to re-name the U.S. Post Office located at 8624 Ferguson Road, Dallas, Texas after the civil right leader Francisco ‘Pancho’ Medrano.
The dedication ceremony for the "Pancho" Medrano postal facility will be held Saturday, November 4, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. Keynote speakers include: The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson, Bob Ray Sanders, Vice President & Associate Editor of the Fort Worth Star Telegram; Regina Montoya, CEO of New America Alliance; and Nina Medrano Domineguez, Great Grand-daughter of Pancho Medrano. The ceremony is open to the public.
"I am so pleased that Pancho Medrano will be honored with this post office naming. Mr. Medrano's work to end discrimination and prejudice has had a profound and lasting effect on me and on the lives of millions of Americans," said Congresswoman Johnson. "Honoring leaders such as Pancho Medrano, not only teaches our young people about the leaders who came before them, but gives a new generation the inspiration to fight for change. We must all work to carry on his remarkable legacy. "
Francisco ‘Pancho’ Medrano played an integral part in bringing Hispanics into the cultural and social mainstream in Dallas. During his 50 years with the United Auto Workers, Medrano participate in nearly every landmark civil rights events of his era. Medrano integrated lunch counters in Dallas, helped organize the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, took part in non-violent civil rights marches in Selma and the Deep South, and organized farm workers in the Texas valley with César Chávez. In addition, Pancho Medrano played a key part in overturning the Texas laws that prevented mass demonstrations. Francisco ‘Pancho’ Medrano passed away in April of 2002. He is survived by his daughter, Pauline, and three sons, Robert, Ricardo, and Rolando.
The legislation to name the post office after Medrano (H.R. 4561) was introduced in the House of Representative by Congresswoman Johnson on December 12, 2005. The bill passed the House on April 5, 2006, and passed the Senate on July 20, 2006. On August 2, 2006, the bill became Public Law 109-259 after being signed by President George W. Bush.
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