[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 15, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S849-S850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN:
  S. 164. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct 
a special resource study of sites associated with the life of Cesar 
Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural resources.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am reintroducing legislation today to 
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource 
study of sites associated with the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez. Chavez 
is one of the most revered public servants in our history for his 
leadership in helping organize migrant farm workers, and for providing 
inspiration to those most oppressed in our society. He is an exemplary 
American hero. It is important that we honor his struggle and do what 
we can to preserve certain sites located in Arizona, California and 
other States that are significant to his life.
  Cesar Chavez, a fellow Arizonan born in Yuma, was the son of migrant 
farm workers. He no doubt loved qualities of life associated with his 
family's Hispanic heritage, but he will be remembered for the sincerity 
of his American patriotism. He fought to help Americans transcend 
distinctions of experience, and share equally in the rights and 
responsibilities of freedom. He made America a bigger and better 
nation.
  While Chavez and his family migrated across the southwest looking for 
farm work, he evolved into a defender to worker's rights. He founded 
the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, which latter became the 
United Farm Workers of America. Essentially, he gave a voice to those 
that had no voice. In his words: ``We cannot seek achievement for 
ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community. . 
.our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and 
needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.''
  I introduced this legislation last October and received an 
overwhelming positive response, not only from my constituents in 
Arizona, but from Americans all across the nation. Similar legislation 
was introduced by Congresswoman Hilda Solis, D-CA, in September 2001. 
The bill specifically authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to 
determine whether any of the sites meet the criteria for being listed 
on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. The study would be 
conducted within three years. The goal of this legislation is to 
establish a foundation for a future bill that will designate land for 
these sites to become historic landmarks.
  Cesar Chavez was a humble man of deep conviction who understood what 
it meant to serve and sacrifice for others. He was a true American hero 
who

[[Page S850]]

embodied the values of justice and freedom this nation holds dear. 
Honoring the places of his life will enable his legacy to inspire and 
serve as an example for our future leaders.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill and a letter of 
support from the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the additional material was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 164

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Cesar Estrada Chavez Study 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) on March 31, 1927, Cesar Estrada Chavez was born on a 
     small farm near Yuma, Arizona;
       (2) at age 10, Chavez and his family became migrant farm 
     workers after they lost their farm in the Great Depression;
       (3) throughout his youth and into adulthood, Chavez 
     migrated across the Southwest, laboring in fields and 
     vineyards;
       (4) during this period, Chavez was exposed to the hardships 
     and injustices of farm worker life;
       (5) in 1952, Chavez's life as an organizer and public 
     servant began when he left the fields and joined the 
     Community Service Organization, a community-based self-help 
     organization;
       (6) while with the Community Service Organization, Chavez 
     conducted--
       (A) voter registration drives; and
       (B) campaigns against racial and economic discrimination;
       (7) during the late 1950's and early 1960's, Chavez served 
     as the national director of the Community Service 
     Organization;
       (8) in 1962, Chavez founded the National Farm Workers 
     Association, an organization that--
       (A) was the first successful farm workers union in the 
     United States; and
       (B) became known as the ``United Farm Workers of America'';
       (9) from 1962 to 1993, as leader of United Farm Workers of 
     America, Chavez achieved for tens of thousands of farm 
     workers--
       (A) dignity and respect;
       (B) fair wages;
       (C) medical coverage;
       (D) pension benefits;
       (E) humane living conditions; and
       (F) other rights and protections;
       (10) the leadership and humanitarianism of Cesar Chavez 
     continue to influence and inspire millions of citizens of the 
     United States to seek social justice and civil rights for the 
     poor and disenfranchised; and
       (11) the life of Cesar Chavez and his family provides an 
     outstanding opportunity to illustrate and interpret the 
     history of agricultural labor in the western United States.

     SEC. 3. RESOURCE STUDY.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall 
     complete a resource study of sites in the State of Arizona, 
     the State of California, and other States that are 
     significant to the life of Cesar E. Chavez and the farm labor 
     movement in the western United States to determine--
       (1) appropriate methods for preserving and interpreting the 
     sites; and
       (2) whether any of the sites meets the criteria for listing 
     on the National Register of Historic Places or designation as 
     a national historic landmark under--
       (A) the Act of August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.); and
       (B) the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470 
     et seq.).
       (b) Requirements.--In conducting the study under subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall--
       (1) consider the criteria for the study of areas for 
     potential inclusion in the National Park System under section 
     8(b)(2) of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-5(b)(2)); and
       (2) consult with--
       (A) the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation;
       (B) the United Farm Workers Union;
       (C) State and local historical associations and societies; 
     and
       (D) the State Historic Preservation Officers of the State 
     of Arizona, the State of California, and any other State in 
     which a site described in subsection (a) is located.
       (c) Report.--On completion of the study under subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Resources 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy 
     and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on--
       (1) the findings of the study; and
       (2) any recommendations of the Secretary.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out 
     this Act.
                                  ____



                                   Cesar E. Chavez Foundation,

                                Los Angeles, CA, January 13, 2003.
     Hon. John McCain,
     U.S. Senate, 241 Russell Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator McCain: On behalf of the Cesar E. Chavez 
     Foundation and the Chavez family, thank you for interest in 
     the life, work, and ideals of Cesar E. Chavez, a true 
     American hero. Your efforts to further Cesar's legacy by 
     reintroducing the bill for the study, documentation, and 
     preservation of historically significant sites related to 
     Cesar are to be applauded.
       The Cesar E. Chavez Foundation understands the importance 
     of such initiatives, which provide a powerful vehicle to 
     educate and inspire Americans to carry on Cesar's values and 
     his timeless vision for a better world. It is through 
     initiatives such as yours, that current and future 
     generations will continue to learn about Cesar and his vital 
     contributions to our nation.
       Your steadfast commitment to teaching our youth about 
     Cesar's philosophies of non-violent social change; his 
     unconditional acceptance of all people; and his profound 
     respect for life and the environment is an example of how 
     Cesar's legacy continues today.
       We look forward to continuing to work together with you on 
     this very important matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                Andres F. Irlando,
                                               Executive Director.
                                 ______