Whereas Senator Robert F. Kennedy called Cesar E. Chavez
one of the heroic figures of our time
and Doctor Martin Luther
King, Jr. telegraphed him “Our separate struggles are really one. A struggle
for freedom, for dignity and for humanity”;
Whereas Cesar E. Chavez, a self-learned man, was a
recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Prize during his lifetime and was
awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on August 8, 1994;
Whereas the achievements of Cesar E. Chavez should be
recognized for his contributions to improve the plight of migrant workers and
for the inspiration his efforts gave many to work toward social justice in
their communities;
Whereas his use of fasting to gain national attention made
people aware of the struggles of farm workers gaining support for a system of
better pay, humane housing, respect, and the outlawing of child labor;
Whereas he has made distinct and significant
contributions, including pesticide-free working conditions for laborers
resulting in uncontaminated food consumed by people in the United
States;
Whereas the designation of the fourth Friday of March as
Cesar E. Chavez Day
would underscore the example he set by never
wavering in his commitment to education, civic responsibility, and nonviolence;
and
Whereas several States already commemorate Cesar E.
Chavez Day
: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of
Representatives—
(1)supports the designation of Cesar E.
Chavez Day
;
(2)requests the President to issue a
proclamation recognizing Cesar E. Chavez Day
;
(3)encourages the
people of the United States, and Federal, State, and local governments, and
interested groups to observe Cesar E. Chavez Day
with
appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities;
(4)supports
curriculum in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States
focusing on the goals and ideals of Cesar E. Chavez and his dedication to farm
workers’ children by organizing migrant schools, allowing many of those school
children to graduate and work as teachers, doctors, and in other professional
occupations; and
(5)recognizes the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez in
denouncing the abuse of human dignity and the exploitation of the vulnerable,
in promoting education, and advancing the American Dream.