IA

103D CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. J. RES. 356

Designating March 31, 1995, as ‘‘Cesar E. Chavez Day’’.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 18, 1994

Mr. RICHARDSON (for himself, Mr. SERRANO, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. DE

LUGO, Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO ́, Mr. TORRES, Mr. BERMAN, and Mr.

BECERRA) introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred

to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

JOINT RESOLUTION

Designating March 31, 1995, as ‘‘Cesar E. Chavez Day’’.

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 farmworkers during

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

of God’’;
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•HJ 356 IH

Whereas Cesar E. Chavez was himself a migrant farmworker,

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

Whereas, through his commitment to nonviolent social action,

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

to the farmworkers 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

farmworkers sacrificed personal time and opportunities to

focus their commitment and efforts on behalf of farmworkers 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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•HJ 356 IH

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 farmworkers 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 March

8 31, 1995, be recognized throughout the United States as

9 ‘‘Cesar E. Chavez Day’’, and that all Americans be en10 couraged to commit themselves to working for justice

11 through nonviolence in their communities and remind

12 themselves of the work of the people who put food on the

13 tables of America.

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