Honoring Cesar Chavez's Birthday

HONORING CESAR CHAVEZ'S BIRTHDAY -- (House of Representatives - March 31, 2004)

(Ms. LOFGREN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, today on his birthday, we recognize the courageous leadership of Cesar Chavez, a man who inspired hope, pride, and strength and provided a voice for thousands of farm workers across California and the entire country.

My district encompasses San Jose, home to Cesar Chavez for many years. It is in San Jose that Chavez began to fulfill his dream of empowering farm workers to demand basic human rights and protections from the abuses of farm owners.

Chavez experienced employer abuses firsthand and saw it happen to thousands of farm workers from childhood through his adult years. And it was he who courageously organized his fellow workers to believe in their own dignity and power to gain equal rights, fair pay, and decent working conditions.

So on this day, I honor the memory of Cesar Chavez. I congratulate his wonderful family who still lives in San Jose. We all know that he is the symbol of inspiration to many, especially the children. May the legacy of this great leader, Cesar Chavez, live on; and may we always remember his phrase to all of us, ``Si se puede.''

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