[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 356 Introduced in House (IH)]

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'';
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 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
    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 commitment 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 
nonviolently 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 encouraged 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.

                                 <all>