[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Salazar):
  S. 327. 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 pleased to be joined today by Senator 
Salazar in reintroducing the Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act. A similar 
version of this bill was introduced by Congresswoman Hilda Solis last 
week. This legislation, which is identical to the bill we introduced in 
the 109th Congress and passed the Senate by unanimous consent during 
the 108th Congress, would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct a special resource study of sites associated with the life of 
Cesar Chavez. The bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior to 
determine whether any of the sites significant to Chavez's life meet 
the criteria for being listed on the National Register of Historic 
Landmarks. The goal of this legislation is to establish a foundation 
for future legislation that would then designate land for the 
appropriate sites to become historic landmarks.
  Mr. Chavez's legacy is an inspiration to us all and he will be 
remembered for helping Americans to transcend distinctions of 
experience and share equally in the rights and responsibilities of 
freedom. It is important that we honor his struggle and do what we can 
to preserve appropriate landmarks that are significant to his life. 
This legislation has received an overwhelming positive response, not 
only from my fellow Arizonans, but from Americans all across the 
Nation. It has also received an endorsement from the Congressional 
Hispanic Caucus.
  Cesar Chavez, an Arizonan born in Yuma, was the son of migrant farm 
workers. While his formal education ended in the eighth grade, his 
insatiable intellectual curiosity and determination helped make him 
known as one of the great American leaders for his successes in 
ensuring migrant farm workers were treated fairly and honestly. His 
efforts on behalf of some of the most oppressed individuals in our 
society is an inspiration, and through his work 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 advocate of migrant farm workers. He 
founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, which later 
became the United Farm Workers of America. He gave a voice to those who 
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.''
  Cesar Chavez was a humble man of deep conviction who understood what 
it meant to serve and sacrifice for others. His motto in life ``It Can 
Be Done,'' epitomizes his life's work and continues to be a positive 
influence on so many of us. Honoring the places of his life will enable 
his legacy to inspire and serve as an example for our future leaders.




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