78R10189 MMS-D

By:  Chavez                                                       H.R. No. 600



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Dolores Huerta, who founded with Cesar Chávez the 
United Farm Workers (UFW) union, has been a driving force in the 
American  labor movement for four decades; and
	WHEREAS, Born in a small New Mexican mining town, Ms. Huerta 
grew up in Stockton, California, a farmworker community in the San 
Joaquin Valley; she received a teaching degree from Delta Community 
College and began a career in elementary education, but the 
impoverished plight of her students stirred the social conscience 
bred into her by a caring, activist mother; in 1955 she helped to 
found the Stockton chapter of the Community Service Organization 
(CSO), a grassroots group that had originated in the barrios of Los 
Angeles; and
	WHEREAS, Ms. Huerta was soon working for the CSO full time, 
and in 1960 she further expanded the scope of her activities by 
founding the Agricultural Workers Association; possessing an 
astute political sense, she began lobbying the California 
legislature, and from 1960 to 1962 she played an instrumental role 
in the passage of 15 bills, among them legislation that enabled 
farmworkers to receive disability and unemployment insurance, 
public assistance, and retirement benefits; and
	WHEREAS, In 1962, determined to found a union for 
farmworkers, who had no group to represent them, Dolores Huerta and 
Cesar Chávez created the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA); 
the forerunner of the UFW, this group gained prominence in 1965 when 
it came to the support of workers striking against California grape 
growers; Ms. Huerta directed a nationwide grape boycott, which 
ultimately led to the first collective bargaining agreement in the 
United States between farmworkers and an agricultural corporation; 
and
	WHEREAS, The leading contract negotiator for the UFW, Ms. 
Huerta was responsible, together with Mr. Chávez, for establishing 
the first medical plan, the first pension plan, and the first credit 
union for farmworkers; the two also created the National Farm 
Workers Service Center, which builds affordable housing for 
low-income workers and which operates a number of Spanish-language 
radio stations; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to organizing for the UFW, Ms. Huerta 
has continued to work for its causes through the years; her efforts 
have contributed to the passage of major legislation in California 
bearing on the right of workers to organize and on mediation to 
resolve strikes, as well as the federal Immigration Act of 1985, 
which allowed many undocumented workers to apply for legal status; 
and
	WHEREAS, Ms. Huerta served as secretary-treasurer of the UFW, 
vice president of the Coalition for Labor Union Women, and vice 
president of the California AFL-CIO; moreover, she has shared her 
expertise as a member of several state and federal commissions and 
as a board member of various national organizations promoting 
democracy and civic engagement; and
	WHEREAS, Her numerous accolades include the Outstanding 
Labor Leader Award of the California State Senate, induction into 
the National Women's Hall of Fame, tribute from the American Civil 
Liberties Union, and three honorary doctorates; and
	WHEREAS, One of this country's preeminent labor leaders, 
Dolores Huerta continues to render extraordinary service in behalf 
of this nation's working men and women, and it is indeed fitting 
that she be recognized for her enormous contributions to the 
advancement of social and economic justice; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Dolores Huerta for her exceptional 
achievements as a labor advocate and commend her for her unwavering 
commitment to securing a brighter future for America's farmworkers 
and their families; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Ms. Huerta as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.