By: Alonzo H.R. No. 609
73R9619 SRD-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Cesar Chavez on April 22, 1993, at
1-2 the age of 66, is a great loss to the millions of Americans for
1-3 whom he symbolized the struggle for social and economic justice,
1-4 and especially to the impoverished farm laborers on whose behalf he
1-5 sacrificed so much during his lifetime; and
1-6 WHEREAS, The founder and leader of the first successful farm
1-7 worker's union in the United States, Mr. Chavez as a child
1-8 experienced the harsh working conditions and crushing despair that
1-9 still characterize the lives of many of this country's migrant
1-10 laborers; and
1-11 WHEREAS, He was born on his grandfather's small farm near
1-12 Yuma, Arizona, on March 31, 1927, but his family, like thousands of
1-13 others, lost its land during the Depression; at the age of 10, he
1-14 began traveling with his family from farm to farm throughout the
1-15 Southwest and left school after the eighth grade to join his
1-16 parents, brothers, and sisters in the harvesting of row crops,
1-17 grapes, and tree fruit; and
1-18 WHEREAS, After serving in the United States Navy in the
1-19 western Pacific, he met Helen Fabela while working in the Delano,
1-20 California vineyards; the couple soon married and settled in San
1-21 Jose; and
1-22 WHEREAS, While working in the nearby apricot orchards
1-23 Mr. Chavez became involved with the Community Service Organization,
1-24 a self-help group formed among California Mexican-Americans, and
2-1 soon began coordinating voter registration activities and forming
2-2 new chapters of the organization in California and Arizona; and
2-3 WHEREAS, Although he served as the organization's national
2-4 director in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he resigned his paid
2-5 position in 1962 after deciding to devote his life specifically to
2-6 the improvement of working conditions for farm laborers; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Chavez returned with their eight
2-8 children to Delano, California, where Mr. Chavez founded the
2-9 National Farm Workers Association (NFWA); the couple worked in the
2-10 nearby fields to support themselves and their family, and
2-11 Mr. Chavez traveled among California farm communities, often
2-12 accompanied by his youngest children, to build membership in the
2-13 new organization; and
2-14 WHEREAS, The NFWA's 1,200 member families joined the
2-15 AFL-CIO's Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee in a strike
2-16 against Delano area table and wine grape growers in 1965; the two
2-17 groups merged in 1966 to form the United Farm Workers of America
2-18 (UFW), and the dedicated leadership provided by Mr. Chavez
2-19 sustained the organization through a five-year strike and boycott
2-20 that rallied the support of labor unions, churches, and student,
2-21 minority, and consumer groups throughout the country; and
2-22 WHEREAS, By 1970, the boycott had forced most table grape
2-23 growers to sign contracts with the UFW, an affiliate of the
2-24 AFL-CIO, but in 1973 most growers signed new contracts with the
2-25 teamsters union, sparking the largest farm labor strike in American
2-26 history; and
2-27 WHEREAS, With an estimated 17 million Americans honoring the
3-1 UFW-led boycott of California grapes, head lettuce, and Gallo
3-2 wines, California growers were forced to support the state's
3-3 historic 1975 collective bargaining law for farm workers; since
3-4 1976, the UFW has won more than 73 percent of the secret ballot
3-5 elections for farm worker representation in California and has more
3-6 than 160 contracts with growers; and
3-7 WHEREAS, Because of Mr. Chavez's inspired leadership,
3-8 unwavering commitment, and courageous personal sacrifice, many farm
3-9 workers earn decent wages, receive medical benefits, and are
3-10 protected from dangerous pesticides; yet, many more still suffer
3-11 poverty and abuse; and
3-12 WHEREAS, For the remainder of his lifetime, Mr. Chavez
3-13 continued to lead the struggle for economic freedom, dignity, and
3-14 self-determination for farm laborers, receiving only a $10 weekly
3-15 stipend and modest food and living benefits as president of the
3-16 United Farm Workers of America; physically weakened by periodic
3-17 fasts he undertook to symbolize the plight of America's farm
3-18 workers, he died at the home of a family friend in San Luis,
3-19 Arizona, where he was participating in a lawsuit between the UFW
3-20 and an Arizona lettuce grower; and
3-21 WHEREAS, In death as well as in life, Cesar Chavez represents
3-22 the continuing struggle for empowerment of the most oppressed
3-23 workers in our country's economic system; his example of nonviolent
3-24 advocacy of civil rights and his personal commitment and sacrifice
3-25 will continue to be an inspirational legacy for generations to
3-26 come; now, therefore be it
3-27 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
4-1 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Cesar Chavez and join
4-2 the millions of Americans who mourn his passing; and, be it further
4-3 RESOLVED, That when the House of Representatives adjourns
4-4 this day, it do so in memory of Cesar Chavez.