SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 474
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in
paying tribute to the life of Cesar Chavez on the occasion of
Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, 2003; and
WHEREAS, Born March 31, 1927, near Yuma, Arizona,
Cesar Chavez grew up in a hardworking family of farmers, living
first in Arizona and then moving to California to work in the
fields; he learned about injustice at an early age and was
subject to discrimination throughout much of his childhood;
Cesar and his brother attended 37 schools while traveling with
their family from farm to farm, and in 1942, Cesar graduated from
the eighth grade and became a migrant farm worker; and
WHEREAS, In 1944, at the age of 17, Cesar joined the
United States Navy and served his country with distinction for
two years; he married Helen Fabela in 1948, and after living for
a while in Delano, the couple settled in San Jose, where Cesar
worked in apricot orchards and was influenced by Fred Ross, who
was head of the Community Service Organization; and
WHEREAS, Cesar quickly became an active leader in the
Community Service Organization; he organized voter registration
drives in the Mexican American community and formed new chapters
of the organization throughout California and Arizona; he helped
the organization to become the most effective Latino civil rights
group of its time; and
WHEREAS, After serving as the director of the Community
Service Organization, he left the group in 1962, moved with his
wife and eight children back to Delano, and founded the National
Farm Workers Association with the goal of improving conditions
for migrant workers; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, Cesar's association voted to join a
strike against the Delano area grape growers; the strike had
been initiated by the AFL-CIO's Agricultural Workers Organizing
Committee; the two groups united to form the United Farm Workers
of America, and under Cesar's able leadership, the organization
sustained a five-year strike and boycott that rallied the support
of labor unions, churches, students, and minority groups
throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, By 1970, the boycott had forced most table grape
producers to sign contracts with the United Farm Workers, but in
1973, most growers tried to undermine the power of the organization
by signing new contracts, thus sparking the largest farm labor
strike in our country's history; and
WHEREAS, The boycott gained momentum and the support of
nearly 17 million Americans, and eventually, California
agricultural producers were forced to support the state's
historic 1975 collective bargaining law that extended labor
union protection to farm workers; and
WHEREAS, The California grape growers continued for years to
refuse to honor contract agreements until November, 2000, when the
boycott against California table grapes was concluded, bringing a
successful end to the boycott begun by Cesar Chavez; and
WHEREAS, The United Farm Workers succeeded in making
accomplishments of enormous historical significance; it was
responsible for establishing the first comprehensive union
health benefits for farm workers and their families, the first
functioning credit union for farm workers, and the first union
contracts requiring rest periods, clean drinking water, and
protective clothing against pesticide exposure; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez used nonviolent tactics in pursuit
of his causes and gave tirelessly of his time to the plight of
farm workers; his efforts gave rise to La Causa and became a vital
part of the national quest for Mexican American equality and
justice; through incredible perseverance and sacrifices,
including his well-known lengthy fasts, Cesar Chavez
accomplished his goals and became not only a champion of the farm
worker, but also a champion of the civil rights movement in our
country; he inspired the farm workers with his motto "Si Se
Puede!"; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez was the 1991 recipient of the Aguila
Azteca Award, the highest award Mexico can bestow on a person
of Mexican heritage; after his death in 1993, his widow,
Helen Chavez, accepted the Medal of Freedom, America's highest
civilian honor, for her late husband at a White House ceremony
in 1994; President Bill Clinton lauded Cesar Chavez for having
"faced formidable, often violent opposition with dignity and
nonviolence"; and
WHEREAS, A true hero whose courage and determination
served as an inspiration to millions of people throughout the
world, Cesar Chavez left an indelible imprint on our country and
on the lives of its citizens, and the schools of America should
continue to educate our children about the life of this great man
and his many accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, the 76th Legislature adopted S.B. 107
creating a State Optional Holiday in Texas in memory and to
commemorate the life of a great American, Cesar Chavez; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby celebrate the remarkable life of
Cesar Chavez and his invaluable contributions to our country and
encourage all Texans to show appreciation for his achievements on
Cesar Chavez Day; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared in
honor of the birthday of Cesar Chavez and as an expression of
esteem from the Texas Senate.
Barrientos
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 31, 2003.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate