[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF CESAR CHAVEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERRY McNERNEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2012

  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring the memory of Cesar Chavez on the occasion of what would 
have been his 85th birthday.
  Cesar Chavez was born on March 31, 1927, near Yuma, Arizona. After 
losing their family farm, the members of the Chavez family became 
migrant workers, moving to California and following seasonal harvests 
around the state. Upon experiencing the exploitation of migrant workers 
and injustices committed against them, Mr. Chavez became a champion of 
workers' rights.
  In 1962, Mr. Chavez and Dolores Huerta co-founded National Farm 
Workers Association, later known as the United Farm Workers, UFW. Mr. 
Chavez was inspired by leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr., and understood the power of non-violence as a tool 
for change. As a leader of UFW, he used non-violent tactics and strong 
organizing methods to protest poor working conditions. Mr. Chavez 
fought for basic improvements for farm workers such as access to 
drinking water, shade, and restrooms. He was also a tireless advocate 
for fair wages and decent living conditions.
  Cesar Chavez led the fight for the passage of the landmark California 
Agricultural Labor Relations Act in 1975. This law was the first in the 
nation to guarantee farm workers the right to organize and bargain 
collectively. Additionally, his understanding of human suffering led 
him to fight against the use of the short-handled hoe, which caused 
personal injury and pain to farm laborers. A California Supreme Court 
ruling in 1975 banned the use of this tool.
  Mr. Chavez was known for his spirit as much as his accomplishments. 
Mr. Chavez and the UFW embraced an empowering and enduring rallying cry 
that exemplifies his optimism of the human spirit: ``Si se puede,'' or 
``Yes we can.''
  Cesar Chavez is an inspirational figure in California and throughout 
our nation. I have no doubt that his efforts have made a positive 
impact on the lives of countless workers. It is for these reasons that 
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Cesar Chavez on the occasion 
of the 85th anniversary of his birth.

                          ____________________