[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RESOLUTION HONORING THE ANNIVERSARY OF CESAR CHAVEZ'S 85TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2012

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
honor the legacy of civil rights leader and labor organizer Cesar 
Chavez. On the anniversary of what would have been his 85th birthday, I 
stand before you to pay tribute to a man who sacrificed and dedicated 
his life to championing the rights of farm workers and all working 
families.
  A true pioneer and hero, Cesar Chavez inspired a nation by organizing 
immigrant and minority farm workers to courageously fight for fair pay, 
fair benefits and fair working conditions. His legacy serves as a 
testament that every worker deserves to be treated with dignity and 
respect.
  As a child, I too learned about the significance of the movement he 
began. When my brothers and sisters begged our mother for grapes, she 
refused. It was her way of standing in solidarity with Americans across 
the country who were supporting the grape pickers' strike led by 
Chavez' United Farm Workers Union.
  Almost 50 years after the creation of the United Farm Workers Union, 
Chavez' contributions to our country live on. Thanks to him, thousands 
of Latinos and farm workers can now work with the dignity and respect 
they deserve. He inspired a generation of labor leaders to use non-
violent protest to accomplish powerful things.
  As a proud union member myself, I am honored to commemorate and 
celebrate the memory and work of Cesar Chavez.

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