[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 45 (Friday, March 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ACHIEVEMENTS OF CESAR CHAVEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2001

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in commemoration 
of the life of a great leader, Cesar E. Chavez. His memory serves as a 
constant reminder of the hardships facing working families every day 
and an inspiration to those who strive to speak up for people whose 
voices go unheard.
  The teachings of Cesar Chavez have inspired millions of people in our 
country. One might argue that the practices of our country's labor 
community can be attributed to the lessons that were taught by the late 
Cesar Chavez. In carrying out his mission, Chavez developed and lived 
with a unique blend of values, philosophies, and styles. Although he 
organized predominantly Hispanic workers, Chavez' commitment to non-
violence, volunteerism, egalitarianism, and respect for all cultures, 
religions and lifestyles, has served as the guiding principle of the 
U.S. labor movement for the past fifty years.
  In 1989, Chavez conducted a 36-day fast to protest the pesticide 
poisoning of migrant workers in California. For years, workers were 
coming into contact with harmful pesticides that had led to, in many 
cases, cancer. Farm owners had ignored the problem and Chavez was 
infuriated. During a speech on the 36th day of his fast, Chavez 
declared, ``If we ignored pesticide poisoning, if we looked on as farm 
workers and their children are stricken, then all the other injustices 
our people face would be compounded by an even more deadly tyranny. But 
ignore that final injustice is what our opponents would have us do.''
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the injustices that Cesar Chavez fought 
against for fifty years, and the living conditions he spoke out 
against, still exist today. We have a responsibility in Congress to 
continue the fight where Cesar Chavez left off. We have a 
responsibility to speak for those who cannot speak, and to fight for 
those who cannot fight. Improving working conditions, increasing the 
minimum wage, and providing quality benefits for all workers remain at 
the forefront of our challenges on behalf of working families. We 
should use today's commemoration of Cesar Chavez' life to renew our 
commitment not to ``ignore that final injustice,'' and protect the 
rights of working families. If we do ignore them, then we are 
forgetting the great lessons taught to us by this great hero. That 
would be an injustice in itself.