[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 1, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H4255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CESAR CHAVEZ TRIBUTE

  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BACA. I rise today to commemorate the 82nd birthday of a true 
American hero, the late Cesar Chavez.
  For 10 years, I have fought for a national holiday to honor Cesar 
Chavez, a man who not only carried the torch for justice and freedom, 
but was the beacon of hope for thousands without a voice.
  As a cofounder and president of United Farm Workers, Cesar used 
nonviolent tactics to bring attention to the dangerous working 
conditions in the fields and the plight of exploited farm workers and 
their right to unionize.
  The reach of his accomplishments stretches far beyond the Latino 
community. The battle for social justice is far from being over. But in 
the words of Cesar Chavez, ``si se puede!''
  During these hard economic times, let us not forget that history 
teaches us many things. True leaders are those who fight for those 
without a voice, and he was one that fought for many of those who 
didn't have voices.
  As we approach his birthday, I urge my colleagues to support House 
Resolution 213, a resolution that educates our youth about Cesar Chavez 
and his accomplishments and I urge the creation of a national holiday 
for him.

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