Rep. Matsui (D-Ca) Recognizes March 31st as César Chávez Day

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.obsnews.com/news/article100403_rep-matsui-recognizes-march-31st-c%C3%A9sar-ch%C3%A1vez-day

Submitted by OBSNews.com on Tue, 03/31/2009 - 14:52

* Politics

Honors the Life and Work of Mexican-American Farm Worker, Labor Leader, and Civil Rights Activist César Chávez

WASHINGTON, DC (OBSNews.com) - Today Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA – 05) recognized César Chávez Day, designed to celebrate and promote service to our community and to honor the life of César Chávez, and his work on behalf of immigrants and farm workers in California and throughout the country, by issuing the following statement:

“César Chávez taught us that dignity and sacrifice can inspire a nation and bring about change. A Mexican-American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist, he formed the current-day United Farm Workers (UFW) in 1962 with Dolores Huerta, and worked throughout the American Southwest to build a movement of poor, working-class farm workers. Leading the organization with only a few members, Chávez helped organize one of the most famous strikes in American history, the 1965 California grape picker strike. Lasting nearly five years, the strike is best remembered for a powerful march from Delano, California to my home town of Sacramento. Through his efforts, Chávez brought the plight of the American farm worker to the nation’s attention, fasting several times, and organizing support. Together, César Chávez and his organization taught us that dignity and sacrifice can inspire a nation and bring about change.

“It is his undeterable commitment to human rights for all that makes César Chávez an American hero. In his honor, Congress celebrated his commitment to our nation’s farm workers by expanding the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs in 2008, allowing the sons and daughters of our nation’s farmers to get an early start on their education. Last year, Congress also passed the César Estrada Chávez Study Act, authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the sites associated with the life of César Chávez and the farm labor movement throughout the Southwest.

“Today, on César Chavez’ birthday, March 31st, we renew our commitment to his fight for equal rights and fair working conditions and honor the life and work of a true American hero, César Chávez. César Chávez Day celebrates the conception of the current-day UFW, and the birth of its namesake. Chávez devoted his life to improving the working and living conditions of America’s farm workers. His efforts for fair wages, pension benefits, and medical coverage continue to improve the lives of thousands of working families across the country.”