[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 44 (Thursday, March 29, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H1339-H1342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      ACHIEVEMENTS OF CESAR CHAVEZ

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2001, the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the subject of this Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had introduced a resolution, H. 
Res. 105, recognizing the achievements of Cesar Chavez, the founder and 
president of the United Farm Workers of America.
  It is introduced and supported by the United Farm Workers and 
supported by all Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and many 
of my fellow Members of the House of Representatives.
  This resolution encourages a Federal holiday for March 31 in honor of 
Cesar's birthday. It encourages States to make March 31 a holiday. It 
encourages schools to incorporate lessons on Cesar Chavez's life and 
work into their curriculum and to learn about their curriculum.
  Cesar Chavez is a true American hero. He carried the torch for 
justice and freedom. He was a hope for thousands of impoverished 
people. He was a beacon of light for many Latinos in the community, a 
giant of a man. His legacy will live on in our hearts, in our hopes, in 
our dreams.
  Chavez was born near Yuba, Arizona, and grew up in a migrant labor 
camp. In 1938, the Chavez family had joined some 300,000 migrant 
workers who followed the crops in California.
  Migrant workers had no permanent homes. They lived in overcrowded 
quarters, without bathrooms, electricity, or running water. Can one 
imagine individuals living without bathrooms, electricity, or running 
water? Cesar Chavez lived there as a poor individual.
  Going to school was not easy for a child of a migrant worker since 
they are always away and on the move. Can one imagine the impact it has 
on many of the children who want to get a good quality of education but 
are moving from one camp to another?
  He noticed that the labor contract and landowners exploited the 
workers. He tried reasoning with farm owners about higher pay and 
better working conditions. But most of the fellow workers would not 
support him for fear of losing their jobs.
  Yes, people want to obtain jobs and sometimes are not willing to 
speak up; and sometimes we do need a leader. So we had a leader in 
Cesar Chavez. As a solitary voice, Chavez had no power, but was willing 
to stand up and speak out.
  In 1944, he joined the United States Navy and served his country, a 
man who had fought for the same principles that many of us had fought 
for or served this country. For the freedoms that we enjoy, for the 
justice, the equality, he went in to preserve that and served in 1944.
  Upon returning, he would no longer stand to see the workers being 
taken advantage of, watching as they worked long hours for low pay, and 
I state for low pay.
  At the age of 35, he left his well-paid job to devote his time to 
organizing the farm workers into a union, a union that would help 
improve the quality of life for many individuals.
  In the early 1960s, Chavez became co-founder and president of the 
United States Farm Workers. In 1968, Chavez gained attention as the 
leader of a nationwide boycott of California table grapes in a drive to 
achieve labor contracts. In fact, some of us still do not eat grapes 
even now today, even though that boycott is over.
  He led his organization to increase protection for workers, for 
health and safety, to ban child labor from the fields, to win fair-wage 
guarantees, and to fight against discrimination in employment and the 
sexual harassment of female workers.
  Chavez also used nonviolent tactics to bring attention to the plight 
of farm workers. His efforts are a shining example to young people and 
can provide an invaluable lesson for what he or she believes in if they 
work hard, perseverance, and people banning together, solidarity and in 
unity, that changes can come about.
  He organized the farm workers to stand together and in one loud voice 
say, ``From this day, we demand to be treated like men. We are to be 
respected as human beings. We are not slaves, and we are not animals, 
and we are not alone. We will not work for low wages.
  ``You live in big farm homes, but we live in boxes. You have plenty 
to eat while our children must work in our fields for food. You wear 
good clothing, but we are dressed in rags.''
  When one looked at Cesar Chavez and the family and many of the 
camposinos, farm workers, they did not have what many had. All they 
wanted was decent wages and good jobs.
  ``Your wives are free to make good homes, while our wives work in the 
field along pesticides. Fighting for social justice is one of the most 
profound ways in which a man can recognize another man's dignity.''
  Cesar Chavez's dedication to social justice meant great sacrifices. 
It was a great sacrifice for many all over the world, all over the 
United States. He often held hunger strikes to protest the farm 
workers' condition. These hunger strikes are believed to have helped 
contribute to his sudden death in 1993.
  I attended the funeral where over 50,000 people attended. On 
September 2, 1994, California enacted a Cesar Chavez Holiday Bill 
designating March 31 as a State holiday, a measure that I voted for 
while I was in the State of California in the legislature. This measure 
is about respecto, respect.
  That is why I have introduced a similar measure here in Congress, 
respect for a great man who has changed the world by using nonviolence. 
This is about justice. This is about equality. This is about human 
dignity and only wanting to live for a better quality of life, not only 
for himself, but for many others.
  The slogan that we often use and have heard is: Si se puede, which 
means, yes, you can; viva la huelga (long live the struggle); and viva 
la causa (long live the cause).
  Let me tell my colleagues that is why, when we look at this 
resolution, we say that it is going to happen, and si se puede (it can 
happen), and one day we will have when we recognize Cesar Chavez.
  This is the beginning of the awareness of a great man who has honored 
our Nation, who has served our country and sacrificed himself for the 
betterment of others.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity, first of 
all, to congratulate the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) on his 
efforts on this resolution. I take pride in being here with him and 
taking this opportunity as I rise to honor an inspired and beloved man, 
Cesar Estrada Chavez.
  Today we honor him in anticipation of his birthday and ask the 
Members of the House to pay tribute and pay respect to a man who 
brought dignity to every man and woman and child in this country as we 
struggled from the fields.
  Chavez was bestowed one of the greatest honors when he was introduced 
into the U.S. Department of Labor's Labor Hall of Fame. This honor is 
solely reserved for Americans whose contributions to the field of labor 
have enhanced the qualities of lives for millions. Not only did he 
enhance the lives of millions, but he touched deeply those individuals 
with compassion and commitment and, as we used to refer, to la causa 
(the cause).
  Many of my colleagues may remember one particular time when he had 25 
days of fast that was conducted by Chavez, which reaffirmed the United 
Farm Workers' commitment to nonviolence.
  For those of us who lived through that period of time, we heard of 
the great odds that Chavez faced as he led the successful 5-year strike 
and boycott. Through these boycotts, Chavez was able to forge a 
national support of coalitions of unions, church groups, students, 
minorities, and consumers.
  By the end of the boycotts, everyone knew the chant that unified all 
groups,

[[Page H1340]]

si se puede, yes we can. 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 other areas. He helped communities mobilize by 
assisting them with voter registration drives and insisting that the 
minority communities had just as much right to have equitable access to 
quality education.
  The migrant schools that we find today is a tribute to his work and 
his hard efforts in assuring that those youngsters, those children of 
those workers should have access to a good quality education. He helped 
to mobilize by continuing to move forward in these areas.
  Many of us today look to Chavez for the inspiration even here in the 
House of Congress. Those of us who continue his fight to make sure that 
the voice of those voiceless is heard and that the dignity that is 
deserved by all laborers, no matter what their work, should continue.
  America has seen few leaders like Chavez. To honor his work and 
deeds, I ask each Member to be supportive of these efforts and this 
resolution.
  I want to just briefly also just talk about the fact that here was a 
man who organized these individuals who did not even get minimum wage, 
a very difficult task to do. Yet he was out there struggling.
  When one got a chance to meet him, he was a quiet, very dignified, 
very nonviolent individual, very unassuming. Yet he was a giant of a 
man.
  I know Art Rodriguez who has followed after him. I had the pleasure 
of being at St. Mary's University with him as a student. To me, Cesar 
Chavez meant a great deal. Because as I started trying to get my degree 
in pharmacy, I changed and got involved in the movement during that 
time, even changed my degree to political science and in other fields 
and got involved in politics.
  My wife was also involved in the boycotts, in lettuce as well as the 
grapes. That is how I met my wife, Carolina.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. Speaker, there is a great deal that he brought to us, and that 
was the fight and dignity that every worker should have, that every 
individual should be treated in an equitable manner. In terms of the 
struggle we see now, I know that he would be saying, if you want to 
bring in a bracero program or a guest worker program, you make sure 
that you treat those people in the same way as you treat the 300,000 
that we just brought over with high-tech technology and degrees, to 
make sure that they get treated in the same manner.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca), and 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner), who have brought forward 
year after year resolutions and efforts in creating a holiday for Cesar 
Chavez.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Filner).
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Baca) for this special order and for his resolution, H. Res. 105, that 
will bring us toward a great national recognition for Cesar Chavez.
  We call today in the strongest possible terms for Cesar Chavez's 
birthday on March 31 to be recognized as a Federal holiday. This great 
national hero should be recognized with a national holiday. This 
Nation, this world, lost a great civil rights leader nearly 8 years 
ago, when Cesar Chavez died after a tireless struggle for social 
change. March 31 is a State holiday in my State of California, and 
countless schools, roads, libraries and other public institutions have 
been named after Cesar Chavez. It is now time that the entire Nation 
honor his enduring legacy with a Federal holiday.
  We will hear tonight the poignant story of Cesar Chavez's life. I 
want to talk about the impact of his life on my life, and on the life 
of my constituents, and on the life and soul of this Nation.
  He brought dignity and respect to farm workers who organized 
themselves and became an inspiration to all people engaged in human 
rights struggles throughout the world. It is time we pay him the 
respect that he deserves.
  His work was holistic, helping to empower farm workers on their basic 
rights. Influenced by the writings of Gandhi and other proponents of 
nonviolence, he began to register his fellow farm workers to vote and 
then to educate them about their rights to a safe workplace and a just 
wage.
  Through the use of a grape boycott, Cesar Chavez, Delores Huerta, and 
others in the fledgling United Farm Workers were able to secure the 
first union contracts for farm workers in the United States. These 
contracts provided farm workers with the basic services that most 
workers take for granted today, services such as clean drinking water 
and sanitary facilities.
  Because of Cesar Chavez's 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 schools that he 
helped to establish. He made the world aware of the exposure to 
dangerous chemicals that farm workers and consumers face every day.
  Cesar Chavez's influence extended far beyond agriculture. He was 
instrumental in forming the Community Service Organization, one of the 
first civic groups in the Mexican-American communities of California 
and Arizona.
  He worked in urban areas, organized voter registration drives, 
brought complaints against mistreatment by governmental agencies. He 
taught community members how to deal with governmental, school and 
financial institutions and empowered many to seek further education and 
politics.
  During a time of great social upheaval, he was sought out by people 
from all walks of life to help bring calm with his nonviolent 
practices. Our country's leaders joined Cesar Chavez literally, and 
often figuratively, in prayers and acts of solidarity in his many fasts 
for justice.
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., sent Cesar Chavez a message on the 
occasion of Chavez's first fast. Dr. King told him, ``Our separate 
struggles are really one. A struggle for freedom, for dignity and for 
humanity.''
  There are countless stories of judges, engineers, lawyers, teachers, 
church leaders, organizers and other hard-working professionals who 
credit Cesar Chavez as the inspiring force in their lives. I count 
Cesar Chavez and his work and nonviolent message among his most strong 
early influences.
  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.
  Mr. Speaker, I have introduced legislation in every Congress since 
1995 to create a Federal holiday to honor Cesar Chavez, and, along with 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca), to teach all of America about 
Cesar Chavez. Surely we can do this and pass such a resolution.

  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H. Con. Res. 105 or H. 
Con. Res. 3. We must follow the lead of California, a State that knows 
the fruits of Cesar Chavez's labors firsthand, and designate March 31 
as a Federal holiday to commemorate his birth. We should in Congress 
join all of those who have paid reverence to Cesar Chavez and to make 
sure that we honor him from this time forward by declaring March 31 as 
a Federal Holiday in honor of Cesar Chavez.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) for his 
efforts tonight.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia Mr. 
Moran.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, Cesar Chavez was one of the 
greatest labor leaders of our time. His courage was unbelievable. 
Before he stood up to some of the most selfish and apparently uncaring 
farmers, he recognized that there were thousands, hundreds of thousands 
of people who were absolutely powerless, had no recourse, no redress 
for their grievances, were being exploited in our economy, particularly 
the agriculture economy.
  Mr. Speaker, Cesar Chavez united them. We as a Nation, many of us, 
boycotted grapes and lettuce and felt that we were part of a movement 
greater than ourselves, and, in fact, in retrospect it was.
  Many good farm workers were even worse treated. They were indentured 
servants. They would travel up the migrant stream, their children would

[[Page H1341]]

have to follow with them. The children would get no education. The few 
children of farm workers who got an education, it would not be from 
bilingual teachers. They lived in hovels off the road where no one 
would see them. They were huts, really, that were no more than chicken 
coops, many of them. They would have to borrow money for their rent and 
food and necessities. The harder they worked, many farmers would reduce 
the piece rates so they would always be in debt. They would have to 
come back the next year to pay off their debt. This became a tradition, 
an institution of exploitation.
  Cesar Chavez gave these families hope. He was in the American 
tradition. I know there are still many families who hate him today for 
the fact that he turned around a system that was greatly to their 
benefit, but this was a man that was American in all of the finest 
traditions. We look to him for inspiration, and I would hope that we 
will find ways to continue to honor him.
  Many of the children and grandchildren of the families that he 
organized now have a good education, have broken into the middle class, 
and have control over their lives, and they will soon forget why it is 
that they have a piece of the American pie now. They have some control 
over their lives. But in many instances, it is because of the courage, 
the character, the leadership of Cesar Chavez.
  So I thank the distinguished gentleman from California for being 
here, and his colleagues from Texas and California, and I know there 
are many other colleagues, if the House was still in session, who would 
be here, but who had to leave. This House bears a real debt of 
gratitude to Cesar Chavez, as does the Nation.
  Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Moran). As the gentleman noted, there are many individuals that would 
have been here to speak, as many individuals have signed on as 
cosponsor of this particular legislation.
  I think it is important for all of us to recognize the importance of 
why we are doing this. We are doing it for an individual who has given 
so much of his life for this country, for this area; his leadership, 
his vision, his struggle to help many of the poor and disadvantaged, 
his inspiration, and what it means to all of us.

  For some of us, unless we worked out in the fields, we really do not 
understand what it is like. I happened to have picked peaches and 
tomatoes out in the field, and let me tell my colleagues, it is not the 
best job. And when you see a lot of the people out there that are 
suffering, and you see the working conditions of individuals, and you 
see the children, you can see the emotion and the feeling of many of 
the children that are out there that are being affected.
  What Cesar Chavez wanted to do was to make sure that the children 
also had a better quality of life, of education. He said the children 
need a better education. He went through 36, 38 different schools, and 
so he said, I want the children to enjoy the same life that other 
children have. I want to make sure they have the opportunity.
  When he looked in their eyes, when he looked at their clothes, and 
realized their opportunities, he could see the feeling of what was 
expressed in the dignity and the respect that he wanted for all 
children, for all individuals. When he looked at the campesinos and the 
working conditions, he wanted to make sure that they had a better 
opportunity not only for themselves, but for their families. He wanted 
to make sure they could put food on the table and they could take care 
of their clothes and their housing, have better conditions, so they 
would not have to worry about not having their health, not having to 
get up with pain to go back to work the next day because there was no 
service.
  He wanted a better life, and he gave a lot of himself. He gave of 
himself for many individuals. Our Nation should be grateful for a great 
hero and a great American, a veteran, a leader, a visionary, an 
inspiration, a man that we all look to.
  It is hard to be a leader, Mr. Speaker. It is hard to really be 
involved. It is easy to sit on the sidelines and say it is nice if 
someone does lead, but he was willing to pick up the banner. And now 
Arturo Rodriguez has carried that struggle and banner, carried it forth 
to make sure equality is there.
  Another person along with him was Delores Huerta, who led in the 
struggle and the fight. She is ill today. Who knows why she is ill 
today and in the hospital. It could be because of all of the 
involvement she had, the struggles and the sacrifices she made; and 
many other individuals.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to support this resolution encouraging a Federal 
holiday for March 31 in honor of Cesar Chavez's birthday, to encourage 
States to make March 31 a holiday, to encourage schools to incorporate 
a lesson on Cesar Chavez, because if they do not know his 
contributions, what he has done, then we are lost, because it is by 
learning each others' customs and traditions and our heritage that we 
know the struggle of individuals and we accept history. We need to work 
that into our curriculum.
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice in honor 
of Cesar Chavez.
  The son of a migrant farm worker, Cesar Chavez was not born into 
greatness. However, he became a great leader in our nation's continuing 
fight for labor and civil rights.
  Cesar Chavez is best remembered as the founder and president of the 
United Farmworkers of America. The contributions of Cesar Chavez, 
however, were not limited to the fields. His voice reached the urban 
areas across America, particularly in the East Los Angeles 
neighborhoods where I was born and raised and now am proud to represent 
in Congress.
  Cesar Chavez was part of the Latino empowerment movement of the 40's. 
Even today his memory inspires Latinos to be activists at the 
community, state and national levels.
  Cesar Chavez understood that participation was the greatest tool to 
implement changes in our society. He once said,

       It is possible to become discouraged about the injustice we 
     see everywhere. But God did not promise us that the world 
     would be humane and just. He gives us the gift of life and 
     allows us to choose the way we will use our limited time on 
     earth. It is an awesome opportunity.

  The world is a better place because of the work of Cesar Chavez. The 
best tribute we can pay is to find opportunities in our own lives to 
continue his work in the fight for civil rights, and to encourage 
others to join us.
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, Cesar Chavez is one of the most well-known 
and respected Latino civil rights leader in the United States and House 
Resolution 105 requesting a ``Cesar Chavez National Holiday'' would 
honor his legacy.
  Most importantly, we need to keep his legacy alive by encouraging 
schools throughout the United States to teach about who Cesar Chavez 
was and what he did to improve our society.
  Future generations should be given the opportunity to learn about 
Cesar Chavez and about the migrant farm worker community's struggle to 
achieve better living conditions, better wages, and protection from 
environmental contaminants.
  He was a pioneer in addressing environmental justice issues related 
to pesticides in food and how farm workers' health was placed at great 
risks due to exposure to chemicals used in the fields.
  As a State Senator in California through Cesar Chavez' inspiration 
and Dolores Huerta's friendship, I fought to improve the working, 
living, and safety conditions for farm workers.
  I strongly supported a ban on methyl bromide, an acutely toxic 
pesticide responsible for poisoning hundreds of farm workers and many 
have even died due to methyl bromide poisoning.
  I also fought to eliminate the dangerous ``short hoe'' method for 
strawberry workers, and worked for clean housing and bathrooms for farm 
workers.
  I am very committed to continue Cesar Chavez' legacy by supporting 
pro-labor and environmental legislation in Congress to help remedy some 
of these environmental and labor injustices.
  Cesar Chavez led by example and he motivated thousands of people to 
become involved in the migrant farm worker struggle by joining the 
United Farm Workers (UFW), which he co-founded.
  He led successful strikes/boycotts against the agri-business growers 
who exploited workers by not providing health safeguards from 
pesticides, deplorable housing conditions, sexual harassment towards 
women, and having extremely low wages.
  He obtained national/international support for the United Farm Worker 
(UFW) movement

[[Page H1342]]

through non-violence and using civil disobedience as an action to 
achieve justice.
  He sacrificed his own health by fasting for extremely long periods of 
time to provide a voice for the migrant farm workers who were being 
exploited. He was humble and did not seek personal attention or glory 
for himself. He was passionate about helping his fellow migrant farm 
workers and he treated everyone with respect.
  He passed away on April 23, 1993, at the age of 66 and his passion 
and commitment for social change, improved thousands of people's lives 
and inspired many others to continue the struggle.
  I am one of those who is committed to keeping Cesar Chavez' struggle 
alive. He fought tirelessly until the end to help his fellow farm 
workers.
  One major step in the right direction would be if the 107th 
Congressional session approves this House Resolution 105 to create a 
``Cesar Chavez National Holiday.'' This would officially recognize 
Cesar Chavez, as one of the most outstanding national Latino leaders in 
modern U.S. history.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay heartfelt tribute to 
Cesar Chavez, a man of courage, faith and love who shared his great 
strength with thousands and inspired millions of Americans. As a leader 
in the fight for social justice, he was a hero to farmworkers, to the 
Latino community, to the labor movement and to me.
  Cesar Estrada Chavez was born on March 31, 1927, near Yuma, Arizona. 
In 1962, Cesar founded the National Farm Workers Association, later to 
become the United Farm Workers--the UFW. With persistence, hard work 
and faith, Cesar Chavez built a great union that galvanized the spirit 
of all people through commitment to the struggle for justice through 
nonviolence. He devoted his life to inspire his fellow farmworkers and 
to fire the conscience of the rest of us.
  It was my great fortune to work with Cesar Chavez as a colleague and 
friend. Cesar's efforts were critical in focusing public attention on 
our nation's deplorable treatment of migrant farmworkers. Through his 
leadership and his legacy, the United Farm Workers has grown in 
strength in its efforts to achieve a lasting justice for farmworkers.
  On this anniversary of his birthday, it is appropriate to mention 
that today across the nation and in this Chamber there are numerous 
efforts to commemorate the life and work of Cesar Chavez. I am grateful 
for the opportunity to express my thoughts about Cesar and to be among 
the many to celebrate the life of one of the most heroic figures in 
American history.
  Cesar Chavez was a great man who exemplified justice, love and 
humility. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Cesar, whose 
dedication to the plight of farmworkers has inspired us all. I salute 
him for his courage and commitment to La Causa (the cause).

                          ____________________