[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 105 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     PROPOSAL FOR THE ``CESAR CHAVEZ POST OFFICE'' IN SAN DIEGO, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation (H.R. 
5256) to rename the Southeastern Post Office, in San Diego, California, 
the ``Cesar E. Chavez Post Office.''
  In San Diego, as well as across the Nation, the name Cesar Chavez 
symbolizes dignity, admiration, and devotion to equality and human 
rights.
  This man dedicated his life to ameliorating human rights in our 
country. In the 50s and 60s, when minorities were given little to no 
respect or rights, Cesar Chavez cleared the path for equality.
  In the early 50s, after fighting in World War II, Chavez began his 
involvement in battling racial and economic discrimination against 
Chicanos. His passion and commitment to this cause led him to serve as 
the national director of the Community Service Organization. But as his 
attention and personal interest focused on the poor working conditions 
of farm workers, he realized that his dream was to start an 
organization to aid these workers.
  Having been a farm worker himself, he was far too familiar with the 
inhumane working conditions farm workers were forced to endure. And in 
the early 60s, he founded the National Farm Workers Association. As the 
National Farm Workers Association started to gain support, he started 
organizing peaceful demonstrations to bring attention to the farm 
worker's conditions. His slogan, Si Se Puede!, Yes, We Can!, became 
known worldwide.
  National attention to the farm worker strikes came in 1968 when 
Senator Robert Kennedy visited Cesar Chavez in California after Chavez 
lead a 25 day fast. Kennedy was right when he called Cesar ``one of the 
heroic figures of our time.''
  Cesar continued to organize boycotts and strikes around the world 
against table grape growers in California. His efforts paid off in the 
70s when legislation to help agricultural workers was established.
  Cesar Chavez is remembered today for his continual efforts and 
dedication to justice and equality. As Cesar said, ``There are many 
reasons for why a man does what he does. To be himself he must be able 
to give it all. If a leader cannot give it all, he cannot expect his 
people to give anything.'' The people of San Diego thank Cesar Chavez 
for Always giving his all.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5256--legislation that 
recognizes such an honorable man!

                          ____________________