IA

104TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. J. RES. 84

To commemorate the birthday of Cesar Chavez.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 30, 1995

Mr. FILNER (for himself, Mr. TORRES, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mr. PASTOR, Mr.

SERRANO, Mr. BROWN of California, Mr. TUCKER, Mr. GONZALEZ, Ms.

PELOSI, Ms. VELA ́ZQUEZ, Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Ms. WOOLSEY,

Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. TEJEDA, Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO ́, Mr. MINETA,

Mr. KENNEDY of Massaschusetts, Ms. LOFGREN, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii,

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, and Mr. COLEMAN), introduced the following joint

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

and Oversight

JOINT RESOLUTION

To commemorate the birthday of Cesar Chavez.

Whereas Cesar E. Chavez was born March 31, 1927, on a

small farm near Yuma, Arizona, and died on April 23,

1993;

Whereas the grandson of a Mexican immigrant and settler,

he grew up working with migrant farm workers during

which time he developed a strong work ethic and a respect for the farm workers his father called ‘‘the children

of God’’;
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Whereas Cesar E. Chavez was himself a migrant farm worker, picking grapes, melons, beans, and other staple crops

at low wages and for long hours;

Whereas at the age of 18 Cesar E. Chavez entered the

United States Navy and served his country with distinction for 2 years;

Whereas as early as 1949 Cesar E. Chavez committed himself to organizing farm workers so that together they

could campaign for safe and fair working conditions, reasonable wages, and decent housing;

Whereas in 1962 Cesar E. Chavez founded the National

Farm Workers Association, predecessor of the United

Farm Workers of America, which brought hope to farm

workers that they might one day realize the basic protections and workers rights to which all Americans aspire;

Whereas, through his commitment to nonviolent social action,

Cesar E. Chavez brought dignity, respect, and self-worth

to the farm workers who organized themselves, and became an inspiration to students, other Americans, and

people throughout the world;

Whereas Cesar E. Chavez was an advocate for nonviolence

and is an example for America at a time when violence

has penetrated every level of our society;

Whereas Cesar E. Chavez and his family along with other

farm workers sacrificed personal time and opportunities

to focus their commitment and efforts on behalf of farm

workers and the poor; and

Whereas Cesar E. Chavez lived alongside his campesino

brothers and sisters in humble surroundings and upon

his passing was laid to rest where he lived and worked

for 23 years on the grounds of the headquarters of the
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United Farm Workers of America, known as Nuestra Senora de La Paz (Our Lady Queen of Peace), located in

the Tehachapi Mountains at Keene, California: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That Cesar E. Chavez be honored for his tireless commit4 ment to improve the plight of farm workers and the poor

5 throughout the United States and for the inspiration his

6 heroic efforts gave to so many Americans to work non7 violently for justice in their communities and that a Fed8 eral holiday be recognized throughout the United States,

9 and that all Americans be encouraged to commit them10 selves to working for justice through nonviolence in their

11 communities and remind themselves of the work of the

12 people who put food on the tables of America.

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