By:  Chavez                                                       H.R. No. 649



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez's ideal of nonviolent activism as shown 
through his lifetime commitment to the rights of U.S. farmworkers 
has led to a national regard for him as a great leader and 
motivator; his contributions to the nation's attitude toward social 
justice make him a role model for many; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez's perseverance as a farmworker during his 
youth, his patriotism during his period of active duty in the U.S. 
Navy, and his service to underrepresented communities through the 
organization of voting drives beginning in the 1950s all 
contributed to a sensitive social consciousness that manifested 
itself in his unending efforts for the rights of others; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez acted out his beliefs in his founding of 
the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, which merged with 
the AFL-CIO's Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee in 1966 to 
form the United Farm Workers of America, a unified organization 
that came to be renowned for its success in gaining recognition for 
workers' rights; and
	WHEREAS, The United Farm Workers of America, under the 
leadership of Mr. Chavez, brought together the diverse interests of 
labor unions, churches, and student, minority, and consumer groups 
to focus on mobilization around common issues of equality and 
justice; the organization became particularly well-known for its 
participation in the California grape boycott of the 1960s and 
1970s, a watershed event that gained the support of more than 17 
million Americans and contributed to the establishment of the 
movement still known today as "La Causa"; and
	WHEREAS, The death of Cesar Chavez on April 23, 1993, was a 
profound loss to the communities he tirelessly served and to an 
entire nation that participated in his boycotts, knew about his 
peaceful protests for farmworkers' rights, and both saw his image 
and heard his name countless times; in a tribute indicative of the 
impact he made on American society, more than 50,000 people mourned 
him at his funeral in California; and
	WHEREAS, Since his death, Mr. Chavez's memory has been 
honored with the naming of numerous schools, streets, scholarships, 
monuments, buildings, and parks for him; a number of U.S. cities 
have annual celebrations in honor of Mr. Chavez, and several 
states, including Texas, have declared his birthday, March 31, a 
state holiday; in 1994, Mr. Chavez was awarded the nation's highest 
civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and on April 23, 
2003, he will be further memorialized for his tireless work for 
justice and equality with the unveiling of the Cesar Chavez postage 
stamp; and
	WHEREAS, This year marks the 10th anniversary of the civil 
rights and farm labor leader's passing, and it is indeed fitting 
that Mr. Chavez receive formal recognition on a national level; his 
humanitarian pursuits have earned him the highest respect from an 
impressive diversity of groups and interests; as a leader, he 
provides an outstanding example of commitment to and the exercise 
of one's beliefs; as a Latino, he provides an admirable example to 
the nation's fastest-growing demographic group; public and private 
school students of all ages from all over the state will celebrate 
March 31 in honor of Cesar Chavez, and schools should continue to 
educate our children about the life and accomplishments of this 
great man; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby commemorate Cesar Chavez Day and extends to its 
organizers and participants sincere best wishes for another 
successful and memorable observance; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of the United Farm Workers as a token of 
high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.