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 re-
spect for the farmworkers his father called ‘‘the children
of God’’;
•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 distinc-
tion for 2 years;
Whereas as early as 1949 Cesar E. Chavez committed him-
self to organizing farmworkers so that together they
could campaign for safe and fair working conditions, rea-
sonable 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 protec-
tions 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 be-
came 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 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
•HJ 356 IH
United Farm Workers of America, known as Nuestra Se-
nora de La Paz (Our Lady Queen of Peace), located in
the Tehachapi Mountains at Keene, California: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That Cesar E. Chavez be honored for his tireless commit-
ment to improve the plight of farmworkers and the poor
throughout the United States and for the inspiration his
heroic efforts gave to so many Americans to work non-
violently for justice in their communities and that March
31, 1995, be recognized throughout the United States as
‘‘Cesar E. Chavez Day’’, and that all Americans be en-
couraged to commit themselves to working for justice
through nonviolence in their communities and remind
themselves of the work of the people who put food on the
tables of America.
Æ