[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO LINDA CHAVEZ-RODRIGUEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 11, 2000

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, this past Monday morning this country lost a 
great individual, a true pioneer in the Hispanic movement as well as in 
the movement of women in organized labor.
  I speak of Linda Chavez-Rodriguez. Daughter of the great Cesar 
Chavez, founder of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW), and wife of 
current UFW president, Arturo Rodriguez.
  She began her career at age 11, when she worked in the fields and 
vineyards to help support her family. She continued her efforts by 
joining walkouts in 1973 when the California grape workers went on 
strike. Earning as little as $3 a week as a farm worker, she often 
wondered how her family would survive.
  As her father's popularity grew, and growers became more aware of his 
efforts, strong repercussions were felt by the family members. During 
high school her education was threatened and other students taunted her 
sisters and her for defending what was moral and just. They were 
misunderstood and misrepresented. Fellow students believed them to be 
well off and have many luxuries. Growing up in an extremely worn two 
bedroom, one bath wood-frame house with 10 family members is not what I 
call living in luxury.
  After high school, Linda's dedication to labor continued through her 
volunteer work for the UFW, by helping farm workers obtain their union 
cards and keep their files in order. Soon after that, she followed in 
her father's footsteps by joining thousands of grape workers in 
California when they shut down the fields in a bloody strike against 
the growers. In Detroit she picketed in freezing snow with fire hoses 
being turned on them, and yet they still fought for what was right. She 
also made another change in Detroit she met her husband, Arturo 
Rodriguez.
  For the next 14 years, Linda worked along side her husband throughout 
California. The family fought hard to continue her father's legacy and 
dedication. Avoiding any type of limelight, she stayed close to her 
family and continued her work.
  In 1990 her family moved back to La Paz where she continued to raise 
her son and two daughters. After many years of putting her own pain 
aside, the Lord felt that it was Linda's time to rest.
  She leaves a proud legacy and a wonderful family behind. She will 
never be forgotten.

                          ____________________