Presidential Documents

18629 

Federal Register 

Vol. 76, No. 64 

Monday, April 4, 2011 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8641 of March 30, 2011 

Cesar Chavez Day, 2011 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Our Nation’s story of progress is rich with profound struggle and great 

sacrifice, marked by the selfless acts and fearless leadership of remarkable 

Americans. A true champion for justice, Cesar Chavez advocated for and 

won many of the rights and benefits we now enjoy, and his spirit lives 

on in the hands and hearts of working women and men today. As we 

celebrate the anniversary of his birth, we honor Cesar Chavez’s lasting victories for American workers and his noble methods in achieving them. 

Raised in the fields of Arizona and California, Cesar Chavez faced hardship 

and injustice from a young age. At the time, farm workers toiled in the 

shadows of society, vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Families like Chavez’s were impoverished; exposed to hazardous working conditions and 

dangerous pesticides; and often denied clean drinking water, toilets, and 

other basic necessities. 

Cesar Chavez saw the need for change and made a courageous choice to 

work to improve the lives of his fellow farm workers. Through boycotts 

and fasts, he led others on a path of nonviolence conceived in careful 

study of the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and Mahatma Gandhi, and 

in the powerful example of Martin Luther King, Jr. He became a community 

organizer and began his lifelong advocacy to protect and empower people. 

With quiet leadership and a powerful voice, Cesar founded the United 

Farm Workers (UFW) with Dolores Huerta, launching one of our Nation’s 

most inspiring social movements. 

Cesar Chavez’s legacy provides lessons from which all Americans can learn. 

One person can change the course of a nation and improve the lives of 

countless individuals. Cesar once said, ‘‘Non-violence is not inaction. . . . 

Non-violence is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience 

to win.’’ From his inspiring accomplishments, we have learned that social 

justice takes action, selflessness, and commitment. As we face the challenges 

of our day, let us do so with the hope and determination of Cesar Chavez, 

echoing the words that were his rallying cry and that continue to inspire 

so many today, ‘‘Sı ́, se puede’’ — ‘‘Yes, we can.’’ 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31 of each 

year as Cesar Chavez Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day 

with appropriate service, community, and educational programs to honor 

Cesar Chavez’s enduring legacy. 


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18630 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2011 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day 

of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. 

[FR Doc. 2011–8128 

Filed 4–1–11; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W1–P 


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