Speech #1030031712

Mr. President. today I would like to honor the memory of Cesar Chavez who died on April 23. 1993. Cesar Chavez will be remembered as a hero for the plight of migrant farmworkers. a civil rights leader and a role model for Hispanics. His work impacted thousands by creating change for migrant farmworkers and ethnic and racial minorities. Cesar Chavez influenced an entire generation of Hispanic leadership. Cesar Chavez was a realist who worked to make his visions of equality and basic human rights tangible for migrant workers. Due to Chavez efforts as founder and president of the United Farm Workers of America. working conditions for farmworkers improved throughout the United States. Cesar Chavez taught farmworkers about their basic human rights and how to peacefully and productively attain a just and improved quality of life. Chavez was able to cause change because he lived the struggles of the migrant worker. He and his family were subjugated by the discriminations inflicted upon migrant workers. Intelligent and charismatic. Cesar Chavez cleared the passage to a more humane life for poorly paid MexicanAmerican migrant workers. Due primarily to his efforts. the California Legislature in 1975 passed the Nations first collective bargaining act for continental U.S. farmworkers. For Cesar Chavez. the union represented a cause. He brought the plight of the farmworker to the American public. Cesar Chavez drew attention to the dangers for consumers caused by agricultural pesticides. He helped not only the migrant worker but also urban MexicanAmericans who were working for more educational opportunities. improved housing and political representation. The movement led to health care. retirement programs. improved wages and better living conditions for farmworkers. The softspoken and fearless Chavez organized many voter registration drives and has been considered one of the best grassroots leaders of all time. He addressed issues such as mistreatment by immigration authorities. police and welfare officials. The expanse of Cesar Chavez work was infinite. Epitomizing faith and strength.