[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 31, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 748. A bill to redesignate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 2777 Logan Avenue in San Diego, California, 
as the ``Cesar E. Chavez Post Office''; to the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I join Representative Susan Davis in 
commemorating Cesar E. Chavez's 82nd birthday by introducing 
legislation to name a post office in San Diego, CA, after this 
extraordinary civil rights activist and union leader.
  Today we join millions of people across this Nation in honoring Cesar 
Chavez's legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and a civil rights 
leader who was committed to providing fair wages, better working 
conditions, decent housing, and quality education for all. As an 
activist, Chavez worked to give a voice to the voiceless, and inspire 
millions of Americans to stand up and say, ``Si, Se Puede!''
  As a migrant farm worker in his youth, Cesar E. Chavez learned about 
the struggles of farm workers including poor wages, poor medical 
coverage, and poor working conditions. When he returned from serving 
his country in the Navy during World War II, Chavez began to work to 
improve this situation, first by organizing for the Community Service 
Organization coordinating voter-registration drives and battling racial 
and economic discrimination.
  In 1962 Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association, 
later to become the United Farm Workers, the largest farm workers union 
in the country. Using nonviolent tactics, such as boycotts, pickets, 
and strikes, Chavez raised awareness about the plight of farm workers. 
Cesar Chavez's unflagging determination made great strides in 
championing the rights of farm workers, but the struggle for farm 
workers continues. This year, thousands of workers across California 
are preparing to march, and continue the fight for their rights.
  Cesar Chavez's life and legacy should serve not only as an example 
but an inspiration to us all as we work to address the growing 
inequality in our nation, as well as the challenges faced by America's 
working families, including poverty, health care, and education.
  Fifteen years ago, President Clinton awarded Cesar Chavez the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom, in recognition of his great 
contributions to our Nation. Today we remember his work not only for 
the U.S., but also for the communities and people of the State of 
California.
  San Diego is a city with a rich cultural heritage, and a history of 
community organizing and activism that shares its roots with Cesar 
Chavez's lifelong struggle for justice and equality. Cesar Chavez 
accomplished a great deal to improve living and working conditions for 
all people, and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill 
to recognize his work and his memory.
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