[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE THIRD ANNUAL CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2009

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 22nd 
anniversary of the naming of Chavez Drive in my hometown of Flint, 
Michigan. To honor this occasion, and to celebrate the 82nd anniversary 
of Cesar Chavez's birthday, the Hispanic Latino Collaborative of 
Genesee County is sponsoring a Citizens March on March 28th along 
Chavez Drive. The march will be followed by a reception and luncheon on 
the campus of the University of Michigan-Flint.
  After his family lost their farm during the Great Depression, Cesar 
Chavez spent his childhood as a migrant worker following the crops 
across the Southwest. After serving in the Unites States Navy during 
World War II, Cesar returned to farm work and began his lifelong quest 
to bring justice, equality and dignity to migrant workers throughout 
our Nation. He adopted the nonviolent philosophy of Gandhi and founded 
the United Farm Workers of America. In the face of formidable odds he 
persevered and after a 5 year struggle against California grape 
growers, Cesar Chavez won the first union contract for migrant workers 
and brought about respect for the workers toiling in our fields.
  The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to persons that have 
served democracy and advanced the universal interests of humanity. The 
list of recipients is an honor roll of individuals that have struggled 
against adversity for the common good. In 1994, as he posthumously 
awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Cesar Chavez, President 
Clinton said, ``He was for his own people a Moses figure.'' Cesar 
Chavez exemplified compassion, dedication and advocacy for farm workers 
everywhere. He passed away 1 year earlier leaving our world better than 
he found it.
  Madam Speaker, Flint Michigan was the first community in our Nation 
to honor this great humanitarian by naming a street after Cesar Chavez. 
I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the 
Hispanic Latino Collaborative for honoring the memory of Cesar Chavez 
and his legacy to the American people.

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