[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H1790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 H.J. RES. 22--MAKING THE BIRTHDAY OF CESAR ESTRADA CHAVEZ A NATIONAL 
                                HOLIDAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor an inspiring and 
beloved man, Cesar Estrada Chavez. Today we honor him in anticipation 
of his birthday next week, and I ask the Members of the House of 
Representatives to join us in paying respect to a man who brought 
dignity to men, women and children who have continued to struggle in 
the fields.
  In January Cesar Chavez was bestowed one of the greatest honors when 
he was inducted into the U.S. Department of Labor's Hall of Fame. This 
honor is solely reserved for Americans whose contributions to the field 
of labor have enhanced the quality of lives of millions.
  Not only did he enhance the lives of millions, but he touched us 
deeply with his compassion and commitment to La Causa. La Causa, the 
cause of the poor; La Causa, the cause of nonviolence; La Causa, 
representing those who do not have representation.
  As my colleagues may know, Cesar Chavez rose from a fruit and 
vegetable picker to be the head of the United Farm Workers of America. 
From the beginning, Cesar Chavez instilled in the UFW the principles of 
nonviolence as practiced by Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When 
the United Farm Workers began the strike in the 1960's to protest the 
treatment of farm workers, the strikers took a pledge of nonviolence. 
Many of my colleagues may remember the 25-day fast conducted by Cesar 
Chavez which reaffirmed the United Farm Workers' commitment to 
nonviolence.
  For those of us who lived through those years, those troubling years, 
in that time period, we heard of the great odds Chavez faced, and we 
recognized, a lot of us were involved directly in his efforts, as he 
led a successful 5-year strike boycott. Through this boycott Chavez was 
able to forge a national support coalition of unions, church groups, 
students, minorities and consumers. By the end of the boycott, everyone 
knew the chant that unified the group: ``Si se puede,'' yes, we can, 
and it was a chant of encouragement, pride and dignity.
  Although we knew him for his advocacy on behalf of farm workers, he 
was influential in various other areas. He helped communities to 
mobilize by assisting them with voter registration drives and insisting 
that minority communities had a right to an education, had a right to 
have access to a quality education.
  Many of us today look to Cesar Chavez for inspiration, even here in 
the Halls of Congress. Those of us who continue this fight do so in 
order to give voices to the voiceless and dignity that is deserved by 
all laborers who, no matter what their work, will recognize their work 
and recognize them with dignity.
  Throughout the country, like in San Antonio, there will be 
celebrations. I know in San Antonio Jamie Martinez, a labor leader, 
will be conducting a parade and a march in his honor, not only in his 
honor but on his causes and the importance of his cause.
  Americans have seen few leaders such as Cesar Chavez. To honor his 
work and deeds I ask that you join myself and 56 other colleagues in 
supporting H.J. Res. 22 to make his birthday a national holiday. To all 
my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I tell them tonight: ``Si se 
puede.'' Together, yes, we can.

                          ____________________