[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 52 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REMEMBERING CESAR CHAVEZ, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, LABOR LEADER, AND 
                CHAMPION OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 13, 2015

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of one of 
the greatest Americans produced by our beloved country, Cesar Estrada 
Chavez who died on April 23, 1993 at the age of 66.
  Cesar Chavez was a civil rights activist, labor leader, and champion 
of social and economic justice.
  Throughout his life Cesar Chavez fought for justice for the poor, the 
young, the vulnerable, and those living on the margins and in the 
shadows of the richest and most powerful nation on earth.
  Because of Cesar Chavez, migrant farmworkers and their families now 
enjoy more humane living and working conditions.
  Cesar Chavez knew firsthand how hard the life of migrant farm workers 
was because he lived it himself, beginning with his work in the fields 
of the Central Valley at the age of ten to help support his family.
  In 1945, Chavez served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy as he 
fought in the latter part of World War II.
  Cesar Chavez began his consequential career as a field organizer for 
the Community Service Organization in 1952 and steadily rose through 
the ranks until he became CSO National Director.
  In 1965, Cesar Chavez co-founded the National Farm Workers 
Association with Dolores Huerta which evolved into the United Farm 
Workers union.
  The National Farm Workers Association was successful in securing fair 
wages and safe working conditions for farm workers.
  The UFW also led a worldwide grape boycott that helped ensure farm 
workers had a voice in contract negotiations.
  In 1972 Cesar Chavez fasted in response to Arizona's passage of 
legislation that prohibited boycotts and strikes by farm workers during 
the harvest season.
  With his death also came a great sense of pride for all the progress 
that Cesar Chavez brought as a direct result of his unwavering 
commitment to farm workers' rights.
  Mr. Speaker, recently I had the honor of being the Grand Marshal for 
the 16th annual Cesar Chavez Day Parade in Houston.
  The parade serves as a great opportunity not only to remember a great 
man, but to remind us of our responsibilities to each other and to 
fight for equal justice for all persons.
  Mr. Speaker, in addressing the Commonwealth Club in 1984, Cesar 
Chavez said:

       Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You 
     cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You 
     cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot 
     oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.

  Mr. Speaker, Cesar Chavez was an agent of change.
  He educated his people and instilled in them a sense of pride.
  He taught them to be unafraid to fight for justice and human dignity.
  Cesar Chavez made a difference, and he made our country better.
  I ask the House to observe a moment of silence in memory of Cesar 
Estrada Chavez.

                          ____________________