Title
Calling on the United States Congress and the President of the United States to Declare March 31st a National Holiday in honor of the late great Farm Worker leader Cesar E. Chavez.
Body
WHEREAS, From humble beginnings in 1927, Cesar E. Chavez, founder of the United Farm Workers, rose to be a major force in American history, making him one of the heroic figures of the 20th Century; and
WHEREAS, Through personal sacrifice, Cesar E. Chavez focused national attention on the plight of farm workers, making the world aware of their demands for safe and fair working conditions in the fields of our nation; and
WHEREAS, Millions of Americans from across the nation, of all races and nationalities, joined Cesar E. Chavez in the movement for farm workers rights; and
WHEREAS, Cesar E. Chavez was also a champion for civil rights, labor rights, voting rights, women's rights and was an early environmentalist, warning the public of the devastating affects of pesticides on both farm workers and consumers; and
WHEREAS, As a result of these and other valuable contributions, ten states now celebrate Cesar E. Chavez's birthday, March 31, as a holiday including California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, and countless schools, streets, libraries, and other public institutions have been named after Cesar E. Chavez; and
WHEREAS, Many cities have honored Cesar E. Chavez by establishing an official city holiday on his birthday; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez died on April 23, 1993. The Philadelphia City Council honored Chavez's memory in 2004 by unanimously approving a Resolution recognizing April 23, 2004 as "Cesar Chavez Day" in the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The life of Chavez, who like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was an adherent to nonviolent civil disobedience, serves as a model for all Americans; and
WHEREAS, Cesar E. Chavez ...
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