Cárdenas, Menendez Lead Bicameral Resolution Honoring the Legacy of Labor and Civil Rights Leader Cesar Chavez
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) reintroduced a bicameral Congressional resolution honoring Cesar Chavez’ life and legacy, recognizing him as one of the nation’s most consequential civil rights and labor leaders. Today, March 31st, would have been Chavez’ 96th birthday.
“César E. Chávez organized for human dignity and respect for all farmworkers. His work inspired a generation of workers to stand up and demand rights and recognition for the backbreaking work they did. My father worked hard in the fields to provide for his 11 children. César Chávez spent his entire life fighting for workers like my father and the millions of hardworking families in California and across our nation,” said Rep. Cárdenas. “As a United States Congressman, I will continue standing up for workers’ rights and fighting to make sure the American Dream is in reach for all working families.”
“I am proud to have worked with my friend Representative Cárdenas to introduce a resolution commemorating and uplifting the lasting legacy of Cesar Chavez, a distinguished civil rights and labor leaders who helped shape the fabric of American society and history,” said Sen. Menendez. “At a time when loud and angry voices insist on spreading fear and stirring up hate against our communities, we must all resolve to carry forward Chavez’ call for the universal dignity and respect of the working people who strengthen America’s promise. I join New Jerseyans and millions across the country in celebrating Cesar Chavez, an American hero who showed us the power of organizing working people to achieve greater equality and justice for all.”
On March 31, 1927, Cesario Estrada Chavez was born in Arizona to poor migrant farm workers. In 1962 Cesar Chavez co-founded the first successful farm workers union in the United States – the United Farm Workers (UFW) to campaign for safe and fair working conditions, reasonable wages, decent housing, and the outlawing of child labor. Following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., Chávez committed to nonviolent protest to call attention to the unacceptable working and living conditions of American farm workers. He inspired hope in these workers through his great rallying catchphrase, "Sí Se Puede." Cesar E. Chavez was a recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Prize during his lifetime and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on August 8, 1994.
Joining Sen. Menendez and Rep. Cárdenas in cosponsoring the resolution are Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Krysten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Bernie Sanders (I.-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), as well as Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.-38), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.-07), Darren Soto (D-Fla.-09), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz-03), Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.-08), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-04), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), and Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-29).
The full text of the resolution can be found HERE.
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