[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 3, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A NATIONAL HOLIDAY FOR CESAR CHAVEZ

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember a great 
American leader and hero, Cesar Chavez. He was a husband, father, 
grandfather, labor organizer, community leader and symbol of the 
ongoing struggle for equal rights and equal opportunity. March 31, the 
birthday of Cesar Chavez, has already been declared a State holiday in 
my State of California. Today I ask my colleagues to join me in making 
March 31 a Federal holiday so that our entire Nation can honor Cesar 
Chavez for his many contributions.
  Cesar was the son of migrant farm workers who dedicated his life to 
fighting for the human rights and dignity of farm laborers. He was born 
on March 31, 1927, on a small farm near Yuma, Arizona, and died nearly 
6 years ago in April of 1993. Over the course of his 66-year life, 
Cesar Chavez' work inspired millions and made him a major force in 
American history.
  In 1962, Cesar Chavez and his family founded the National Farm 
Workers Association which organized thousands of farm workers to 
confront one of the most powerful industries in our Nation. He inspired 
them to join together and nonviolently demand safe and fair working 
conditions.
  Through the use of a grape boycott, he was able to secure the first 
union contracts for farm workers in this country. These contracts 
provided farm workers with the basic services that most workers take 
for granted, services such as clean drinking water and sanitary 
facilities. Because of his fight to enforce child labor laws, farm 
workers could also be certain that their children would not be working 
side by side with them and would instead attend the migrant schools he 
helped to establish. In addition, Cesar Chavez made the world aware of 
the exposure to dangerous chemicals that farm workers and every 
consumer faces every day.
  As a labor leader, he earned great support from unions and elected 
officials across the country. The movement he began continues today as 
the United Farm Workers of America.
  Cesar Chavez' influence extends far beyond agriculture. He was 
instrumental in forming the Community Service Organization, one of the 
first civic action groups in the Mexican-American communities of 
California and Arizona.
  He worked in urban areas, organized voter registration drives, 
brought complaints against mistreatment by government agencies. He 
taught community members how to deal with governmental, school and 
financial institutions and empowered many thousands to seek further 
advancement in education and politics. There are countless stories of 
judges, engineers, lawyers, teachers, church leaders, organizers and 
other hardworking professionals who credit Cesar Chavez as the 
inspiring force in their lives.
  During a time of great social upheaval, he was sought out by groups 
from all walks of life and all religions to help bring calm with his 
nonviolent practices. In his fight for peace, justice, respect and 
self-determination, he gained the admiration and respect of millions of 
Americans and most Members of this House of Representatives.
  Cesar Chavez will be remembered for his tireless commitment to 
improve the plight of farm workers, children and the poor throughout 
the United States and for the inspiration his heroic efforts gave to so 
many Americans.
  We in Congress must make certain that the movement Cesar Chavez began 
and the timeless lessons of justice and fairness he taught be preserved 
and honored in our national conscience. To make sure that these 
fundamental principles are never forgotten, I urge my colleagues to 
support House Joint Resolution 22 which would declare March 31 as a 
Federal holiday in honor of Cesar Chavez. In the words of Cesar and the 
United Farm Workers, si se puede, yes, we can.

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