[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 84 Introduced in House (IH)]







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. Velazquez, 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'';
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 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 farm 
workers 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 a Federal 
holiday be recognized throughout the United States, 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>