[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E616-E617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATION OF THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CESAR ESTRADA CHAVEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, today we must take a moment to commemorate 
the life and legacy of a national leader Cesar Estrada Chavez. It is an 
honor for me to have this opportunity to discuss the life of this man. 
Cesar E Chavez was born and died in the district that I represent, in 
Yuma and San Luis, Arizona. Today would have been his 77th birthday.
  The celebration of his life is a legacy that he leaves with us; 
however, upholding a chronological, biographical statement of the life 
of Cesar E Chavez would not embrace the essence of what he stood for in 
life or the expectations and opportunities he left for others. I stand 
before you to honor a man, not for what material wealth he accumulated 
or positions he held, rather for his pursuit for justice.
  For me to make Cesar E Chavez bigger than life and to describe him as 
a hero would be offensive to him. He was a man that did not want to be 
bigger than life. He was human and stayed that way but his beliefs and 
way of life are the future and the legacy that he left all of us to 
uphold. Cesar E Chavez, cofounder, along with Dolores Huerta, of the 
United Farm Workers' Union, initiated a historic struggle for labor 
unions, grassroot efforts, and mobilization to show power of the 
people.
  The United Farm Workers' Union and the tactics that Cesar E Chavez 
incorporated for justice changed the face of activism and consumerism. 
His non-violence and popular education approach made the country 
recognize that renouncing a system of injustice was the right of all 
Americans. He reminded us then, and now, of our role to seek humanity 
and justice; and to be aware of our decisions in life from minor 
accountability, like where to buy basic home products, to protecting 
our soldiers and looking for effective non-violence approaches as an 
alternative to war.
  Through the influence of Cesar E Chavez and the UFW, the face of 
labor unions in this country was changed. The awareness of strikes, 
went beyond the bargaining table for basic rights such as just pay and 
benefits. Strikes become a responsibility for all consumers to demand 
justice and peace of mind to the consumer and the employer that the 
employee was respected in all aspects. The union struggle also became 
more inclusive in fighting for justice in this country, going beyond 
the calls for labor rights to include human rights, immigrant rights, 
and civil rights. Labor unions across the country are currently among 
the leaders of creating coalitions and developing the grass roots 
community to strengthen representation for all Americans.
  The concept of grass roots and the belief in the power of the people 
was strengthened through the works of Cesar E Chavez. The leading 
energy/influence in providing a voice for the masses was simply stated 
in three words iSi, se puede!, which roughly translates to yes, it can 
be done. A simple phrase that Cesar E Chavez coined, but like his life 
and legacy a powerful action that cannot be measured. This assurance in 
people and the ability of communities and movements resonates 
throughout our great Nation today. iSi, se puede! is an attitude and 
way of life for change, hope, and our constituency, especially our 
youth.
  Cesar E Chavez, although a Latino, did not limit the group he strived 
for to an ethnicity. He understood the need to be inclusive in his 
service to others in the plight for justice. The legacy he leaves us is 
to uphold his approach to life and to educate our youth for future 
generations on his teachings of non-violence, justice, and equity for 
all. I challenge my colleagues to remember Cesar E Chavez not

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only for his history, but also for his approach to life and the example 
he left us.

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