[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 17, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CESAR CHAVEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARTIN FROST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 2004

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Cesar 
Chavez, who forged a legacy of service, conviction, and principled 
leadership that helped define a new decade of reform. Cesar began 
working early in life as a migrant farm worker during the Great 
Depression. He soon became involved with the Community Service 
Organization, a self-help group for Mexican-Americans, which sparked 
his desire to establish an organization solely dedicated to farm 
workers. His dream became a reality in 1962 when the National Farm 
Workers Association was established, and from that point on he 
dedicated the next 31 years of his life to pursuing social justice. He 
helped establish a 5-year strike by California grape pickers, as well 
as boycotts of grapes and lettuce that grew nationwide attention. Mr. 
Chavez will always be remembered and admired for achieving powerful 
change through this use of nonviolent activism. In honor of his many 
contributions to society he received the highest civilian awards from 
the United States and Mexico, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the 
Aguila Azteca. Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that Mr. Cesar Chavez will be 
honored and remembered for his lifelong contribution to not only the 
Hispanic community, but to all of humanity.

                          ____________________