WHEREAS, On March 31, 1927, Cesar Chavez was born on a small ranch near Yuma, Arizona; and
     WHEREAS, When severe drought forced the Chavez Family to give up their ranch in Yuma, they began picking crops on California farms; and
     WHEREAS, After serving our nation in World War II, Cesar Chavez returned to farm labor in California and began advocating for workers' rights; and
     WHEREAS, In 1962, Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), AFL-CIO, the first successful farm workers' union in United States history; and
     WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez led a successful five-year grape pickers' strike that rallied millions of supporters to the UFW and forged a national coalition of unions, church groups, students, minorities, and consumers; and
     WHEREAS, On April 23, 1993, Cesar Chavez passed away, leaving behind an enduring legacy of service and leadership; in 1994 he posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton, becoming the second Mexican-American to receive the award; and
     WHEREAS, In 1994 the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation was created to inspire current and future generations by promoting the ideals of education and civil rights embodied by Cesar Chavez;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize that farm worker labor is essential to the state economy, which has benefited from the life's work of Cesar Chavez; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the civil rights leaders of this state and nation be commended for their work in promoting fairness and equal opportunity in the community and the workplace; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor a man who devoted his life to improving the working conditions, safety, and dignity of so many.