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“H.J. RES. 22--MAKING THE BIRTHDAY OF CESAR ESTRADA CHAVEZ A NATIONAL HOLIDAY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1790 on March 25, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
H.J. RES. 22--MAKING THE BIRTHDAY OF CESAR ESTRADA CHAVEZ A NATIONAL
HOLIDAY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor an inspiring and beloved man, Cesar Estrada Chavez. Today we honor him in anticipation of his birthday next week, and I ask the Members of the House of Representatives to join us in paying respect to a man who brought dignity to men, women and children who have continued to struggle in the fields.
In January Cesar Chavez was bestowed one of the greatest honors when he was inducted into the U.S. Department of Labor's Hall of Fame. This honor is solely reserved for Americans whose contributions to the field of labor have enhanced the quality of lives of millions.
Not only did he enhance the lives of millions, but he touched us deeply with his compassion and commitment to La Causa. La Causa, the cause of the poor; La Causa, the cause of nonviolence; La Causa, representing those who do not have representation.
As my colleagues may know, Cesar Chavez rose from a fruit and vegetable picker to be the head of the United Farm Workers of America. From the beginning, Cesar Chavez instilled in the UFW the principles of nonviolence as practiced by Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When the United Farm Workers began the strike in the 1960's to protest the treatment of farm workers, the strikers took a pledge of nonviolence. Many of my colleagues may remember the 25-day fast conducted by Cesar Chavez which reaffirmed the United Farm Workers' commitment to nonviolence.
For those of us who lived through those years, those troubling years, in that time period, we heard of the great odds Chavez faced, and we recognized, a lot of us were involved directly in his efforts, as he led a successful 5-year strike boycott. Through this boycott Chavez was able to forge a national support coalition of unions, church groups, students, minorities and consumers. By the end of the boycott, everyone knew the chant that unified the group: ``Si se puede,'' yes, we can, and it was a chant of encouragement, pride and dignity.
Although we knew him for his advocacy on behalf of farm workers, he was influential in various other areas. He helped communities to mobilize by assisting them with voter registration drives and insisting that minority communities had a right to an education, had a right to have access to a quality education.
Many of us today look to Cesar Chavez for inspiration, even here in the Halls of Congress. Those of us who continue this fight do so in order to give voices to the voiceless and dignity that is deserved by all laborers who, no matter what their work, will recognize their work and recognize them with dignity.
Throughout the country, like in San Antonio, there will be celebrations. I know in San Antonio Jamie Martinez, a labor leader, will be conducting a parade and a march in his honor, not only in his honor but on his causes and the importance of his cause.
Americans have seen few leaders such as Cesar Chavez. To honor his work and deeds I ask that you join myself and 56 other colleagues in supporting H.J. Res. 22 to make his birthday a national holiday. To all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I tell them tonight: ``Si se puede.'' Together, yes, we can.
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