[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 31, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H1745-H1746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CESAR CHAVEZ'S BIRTHDAY

  (Ms. LOFGREN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, today on his birthday, we recognize the 
courageous leadership of Cesar Chavez, a man who inspired hope, pride, 
and strength and provided a voice for thousands of farm workers across 
California and the entire country.
  My district encompasses San Jose, home to Cesar Chavez for many 
years. It is in San Jose that Chavez began to fulfill his dream of 
empowering farm workers to demand basic human rights and protections 
from the abuses of farm owners.
  Chavez experienced employer abuses firsthand and saw it happen to 
thousands of farm workers from childhood through his adult years. And 
it was he who courageously organized his fellow workers to believe in 
their own dignity and power to gain equal rights, fair pay, and decent 
working conditions.
  So on this day, I honor the memory of Cesar Chavez. I congratulate 
his wonderful family who still lives in San Jose. We all know that he 
is the symbol of inspiration to many, especially the children. May the 
legacy of this great leader, Cesar Chavez, live on; and may we always 
remember his phrase to all of us, ``Si se puede.''

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