[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9410 of March 30, 2016

Cesar Chavez Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As a child of migrant workers who struggled just to get by, Cesar Chavez
knew the importance of having an economy that works for everyone and
devoted his life to ensuring our Nation upheld the values upon which it
was founded. On his birthday, we celebrate a man who reminded us--above
all else--that we all share a common humanity, each of us having our own
value and contributing to the same destiny, and we carry forward his
legacy by echoing his peaceful and eloquent calls for a more just and
equal society.

Cesar Chavez demonstrated that true courage is revealed when the outlook
is darkest, the resistance is strongest, and we still find it within
ourselves to stand up for what we believe in. In the face of
extraordinary adversity and opposition, he stood up for the inherent
dignity of every person, no matter their race, color, creed, or sexual
orientation, and for the idea that when workers are treated fairly, we
give meaning to our founding ideals. Guided by his faith in his
convictions, he fasted, marched, and rallied millions to ``La Causa'' to
expand opportunity and demand a voice for workers everywhere. Together
with Dolores Huerta, he founded the United Farm Workers, and through
boycotts and protests, he ushered in a new era of respect for America's
laborers and farm workers.
Today, we honor Cesar Chavez by continuing to fight for what he believed
in, including a living wage for workers and their right to unionize and
provide for their family. Workers should have a safe workplace and the
comfort of knowing that if they work hard, they can feed their family,
earn decent benefits, and gain the skills they need to move up and get
ahead. We will also keep up our efforts to reform our Nation's broken
immigration system so more people can contribute to our country's
success. And as we strive for well-deserved policies for America's
workers, like a higher minimum wage and paid leave, we are reminded that
the movement Cesar Chavez led was sustained by a generation of
organizers who spoke out and fought for a better, fairer America--and it
is now upon us to do the same in our time.
Our Nation's progress has always been driven by the belief that
extraordinary things happen when we come together around a common cause,
and through decades of organizing and serving others, Cesar Chavez
embodied this ideal. On Cesar Chavez Day, let us unite to reach for the
America he knew was possible--one in which hard work is rewarded,
prosperity is shared, and equal opportunity is the right of all our
people.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2016, as
Cesar Chavez Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with
appropriate service, community, and education programs to honor Cesar
Chavez's enduring legacy.

[[Page 3136]]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA