[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E469-E470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND BIRTHDAY OF CESAR CHAVEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 1, 2008

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, Today, we gather to pay 
tribute to a remarkable man, and one of the most revered workers rights 
pioneers, Cesar Estrada Chavez. Cesar Chavez became one of our Nation's 
and the world's notable advocates for nonviolent social change.
  Born on a small Arizona farm on March 31, 1927, Cesar Chavez began 
his life as a farm worker in the fields at age 10. He later served in 
the United States Navy during World War II.
  Cesar Chavez didn't just learn about the struggle of migrant workers. 
He and his family lived it. He grew up moving from town to town and 
from school to school while his family worked in the fields.
  He became a farm worker as soon as he finished the eighth grade. Born 
out of his sweat and toil was a fierce determination to give a voice to 
families like his who labored so hard and received so little in return.
  Cesar Chavez became that voice of the farm workers. He established 
the United Farmworkers Union to establish this movement. The priorities 
he fought for are America's priorities: Better pay and benefits for 
workers. Better education for children. Health and safety protections 
for workers where there were none. He helped in expanding civil rights 
for minorities and advocated on behalf of every person living within 
the United States.
  He was committed to the idea that no matter their education or their 
job, anyone can demand fair treatment at work. Before Cesar Chavez, 
farmworkers were exposed to horrifying conditions, working long hours 
and being poisoned by pesticides. Chavez drew national attention to the 
plight of the farmworkers. Because of Chavez, farmworkers can no longer 
legally be treated in the inhumane manner they were before.
  Cesar E. Chavez was loved and respected by many, and he continued to 
fight for the rights of farm workers until his death in 1993. Chavez 
lived his life fighting for workers' rights, civil rights, 
environmental justice, equality for all, peace, non-violence, children 
and women's rights. Over 50,000 mourners came to pay their respects to 
the humble man, whose simple, modest manner was driven by his 
commitment to social justice.
  In 1994, Cesar Chavez was posthumously awarded the nation's highest 
civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Robert F. Kennedy 
once described Cesar Chavez as ``One of the heroic figures of our 
time.'' He encouraged millions of people across the country

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to join the fight for social and economic justice for farm workers and 
to empower the poor and disenfranchised.
  It is important that we do our part to make America a place where 
everyone receives respect and opportunity. We must ensure Cesar Chavez' 
dream by promising every man, woman, and child in America a secure 
future with promising opportunities. We must work hard to raise the 
minimum wage, ensure that all Americans can earn a decent living and 
secure access to affordable health care. Selfless Service to others is 
why Cesar Chavez will always be an inspiration to all of us. Let's 
continue Cesar Chavez's legacy, by truly honoring his memory and 
continuing his commitment to achieving basic rights and dignity for all 
American workers.