IA 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. J. RES. 12
To commemorate the spirit of Cesar E. Chavez: ‘‘Si Se Puede’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 26, 2005
Mr. FILNER introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Government Reform 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
To commemorate the spirit of Cesar E. Chavez: ‘‘Si Se 
Puede’’.
Whereas Cesar E. Chavez was born March 31, 1927, on a 
small farm near Yuma, Arizona, and died on April 23, 
1993; 
Whereas numerous holidays, schools, parks, libraries, and 
other structures and events have been named after Cesar 
E. Chavez, internationally and in California, New York, 
Michigan, Indiana, Oklahoma, Arizona, Illinois, Min-
nesota, Colorado, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Texas, 
and Hawaii, with many more planned; 
Whereas Cesar E. Chavez was a recipient of the Martin Lu-
ther King, Jr., Peace Prize during his lifetime and was 
awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President 
Clinton on August 8, 1994;
•HJ 12 IH 
Whereas, the grandson of a Mexican immigrant and settler, 
he grew up working with migrant farm workers, himself 
picking grapes, melons, beans, and other staple crops at 
low wages and for long hours, during which time he de-
veloped a strong work ethic and respect for the farm 
workers his father called ‘‘the children of God’’; 
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 farm workers to campaign for safe and 
fair working conditions, reasonable wages, decent hous-
ing, and the outlawing of child labor; 
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 to which all Americans aspire; 
Whereas, through his commitment to nonviolence, Cesar E. 
Chavez brought dignity and respect to the farm workers 
who organized themselves, and became an inspiration and 
a resource to other Americans and people engaged in 
human rights struggles throughout the world; 
Whereas Cesar E. Chavez was an advocate for nonviolence at 
a time when violence penetrated every level of our society; 
Whereas Cesar E. Chavez and his family also dedicated them-
selves to the education of farm workers’ children through 
migrant schools, many of whom graduated and worked as 
teachers, doctors, nurses, and in other professional occu-
pations;
•HJ 12 IH 
Whereas the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez includes healthy 
working conditions that yield uncontaminated food for 
America’s tables and the enforcement of employer sanc-
tions for those who hire illegal immigrants; 
Whereas Cesar E. Chavez’s influence extends far beyond ag-
riculture and provides inspiration for those working to 
better human rights through his example of organizing 
voter registration drives in urban and farm areas, initi-
ating complaints against mistreatment by police and wel-
fare officials, and empowering everyday workers to seek 
advancement in education and politics; 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 
United Farm Workers of America, known as Nuestra Se-
nora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace), located in the 
Tehachapi Mountains at Keene, California: Now, there-
fore, 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 farm workers 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 all 
Americans be encouraged to commit themselves to work-
ing for justice through nonviolence in their communities
•HJ 12 IH 
and remind themselves of the work of the people who put 
food on the tables of America.
Æ