[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SALUTING CEASAR CHAVEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 1998

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to rise 
and salute one of the most inspirational leaders of our country, Ceasar 
Chavez. Ceasar Chavez is a legend within the Latino community and our 
nation. He is one of my heroes as well. This past Saturday, March 28, 
1998, I had the pleasure of participating in a street dedication 
ceremony renaming a street in the predominantly Hispanic community on 
the west side of Kansas City in my Congressional District, Avenida 
Ceasar Chavez. The festive atmosphere of the ceremony was enhanced by 
the presence of Richard Chavez, Ceasar's younger brother, who has 
continued the work which Ceasar started to benefit all working men and 
women. Visiting with Richard and listening to his experiences 
demonstrated the extraordinary nature which one, and later many, 
dedicated individuals can have on bettering our community and nation.
  In 1962, when Ceasar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers 
Association (NFWA), his purpose was to unite all of the Mexican farm 
workers in California in their struggle for better wages and working 
conditions.
  Ceasar Chavez was a very charismatic leader, who headed a movement 
that used only nonviolent tactics. Ceasar Chavez used strikes and 
boycotts as leverage in applying economic pressure on the employers to 
settle wage disputes and improve the work environment.
  Ceasar Chavez was a visionary who built consensus. He realized that 
the existence of oppression towards any group of people was wrong, so 
he joined the fight to help further the cause for Filipino farm 
workers. In 1965, during the Grape Boycotts, Filipino and Mexican 
workers united and protested the low wages and poor working conditions. 
In 1970 this remarkable effort resulted in an amicable resolution. For 
nearly a decade like many of my generation, I refused to consume grapes 
to show solidarity.
  Muchas gracias otra vez por permitirme esta opportunidad compartir mi 
sentimiento sobre un grand heroe Americano, Ceasar Chevez.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute and applaud the efforts of Ceasar Chavez and 
the community leaders in my Congressional District who have the vision 
to ensure that his memory and works will permanently be remembered for 
future generations, not only through the dedication of Avenida Ceasar 
Chavez, but by the historical translation passed on from generation to 
generation.

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