[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 27, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S2082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO CESAR ESTRADA CHAVEZ

 Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, today I wish to 
recognize Cesar Estrada Chavez, a man whose leadership and nonviolent 
crusade for justice changed millions of lives throughout America. Cesar 
Chavez helped give all of us a chance at a better future.
  On March 31, 2012, we will celebrate Cesar Chavez Day to commemorate 
his life and his legacy. We will also pause to remember that the 
actions of one person can empower an entire community to fight for 
equal treatment and civil rights.
  Cesar Estrada Chavez was born on March 31, 1927, near Yuma, AZ, to a 
family of farm workers. When his father was unable to work, Chavez 
joined the millions of people who worked in the fields to provide for 
their families and was inspired to do something to help his community. 
Daily, he saw and felt the farm workers' suffering. Working conditions 
on the farms were extremely dangerous and compensation was poor. Chavez 
taught migrant farm workers across the West that the life they deserved 
was very different from the one they had been living. He knew the farm 
workers' struggles intimately and used that knowledge as motivation to 
help the entire community find the tools it needed to overcome those 
struggles. Change initially took root in California, swiftly spreading 
to the rest of the Western United States. Colorado's heritage is richer 
because of his influence and his legacy.
  Chavez's message reached Colorado's Hispanic community during the 
days of the civil rights movement. Chavez led advocacy efforts to 
empower people across Colorado, bringing about improved living and 
working conditions for Colorado's farm workers. Additionally, his 
teachings inspired many Coloradans to join him in teaching farm 
workers, students, and veterans the importance of equality, justice, 
and empowerment. A Coloradan who became one of these leaders was 
Rodolfo ``Corky'' Gonzales, who would become a voice for the voiceless 
and a masterful poet and teacher in Colorado's Hispanic community.
  Cesar Chavez's and Rodolfo Gonzalez's selflessness, patience, and 
commitment mobilized Latinos and non-Latinos in Colorado and across 
America to fight for equality, justice, and civil rights. Chavez is 
especially remarkable because he truly embodied his own teachings. 
Throughout his life, he turned down many prestigious job offers and 
opportunities, choosing to work long hours in the fields side by side 
with migrant workers. Chavez gave a human face to agriculture. He 
taught many across the country that the grapes, onions, tomatoes, or 
other foods they purchased at the grocery store were part of a much 
larger story. Moreover, he believed that the world's real wealth lies 
in the act of helping others. It is this belief that sustained him in 
the face of long odds.
  In a speech inspired by the nonviolent messages of Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez said, ``You cannot 
uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the 
person who feels pride. And you cannot oppress the people who are not 
afraid anymore.'' Chavez's life and legacy has taught millions of 
people far more than just pride and bravery. He inspires all of us to 
fight for a better future for the world, for ourselves and for our 
neighbors. Cesar Chavez is a role model for Coloradans and for all 
Americans.
  On March 31, Coloradans across the State will come together to give 
back to their communities. I am proud to speak on behalf of them and on 
behalf of all Americans fighting to give their children and the people 
in their communities a better life, regardless of their background or 
color of skin. Together, we honor those who are continuing Cesar 
Chavez's fight for justice and celebrate the remarkable influence of 
his vision.

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