Honoring the Memory of César Chávez by recognizing April 23, 2004 as César Chávez Day.

WHEREAS, César Chávez was born on March 31, 1927 near Yuma, Arizona, to Librado and Juana Chávez and spent most of his childhood working with his family, traveling from farm to farm to pick fruits and vegetables; and

WHEREAS, The Chávez family, after losing their family farm during the Depression, battled discrimination and mistreatment at the hands of corporate farm owners and were, according to César, “The Strikingest family in California”; and

WHEREAS, In 1944, César joined the United States Navy and served in World War II and after completing his duty, received an honorable discharge and returned to California and married Helen Fabela; and

WHEREAS, In 1952, César Chávez joined with Fred Ross as part of the Community Service Organization (CSO) and was active organizing and urging Mexican-Americans to register to vote and made speeches supporting workers’ rights which led him to become the Executive Director of the CSO in 1959; and

WHEREAS, In 1962, César Chávez left the CSO to organize migrant farm workers and formed the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) which was later changed to the United Farm Workers (UFW) and two years later started a newspaper for farm workers, EL Malcriado, this “labor of love” advocated for living wages and took on growers who exploited their workers; and

WHEREAS, In 1965, César and the NFWA gained national attention when they led a five-year strike of California grape-pickers to demand higher wages and encouraged all Americans to boycott table grapes as a show of support and received total support from the U.S. Senate Subcommittee led by Senator Robert Kennedy; and

WHEREAS, In 1968 César Chávez increased public awareness of the plight of the migrant worker by engaging in a twenty-five day fast and during the 1970’s and 80’s, the UFW organized national strikes and boycotts in a battle for increased wages, better working conditions and for limiting the use of toxic pesticides by large corporate grape and lettuce growers; and

WHEREAS, From 1952 until his death on April 23, 1993, César Chávez led heroic efforts and extraordinary victories for farm workers, providing millions of migrant workers the opportunity to live more rewarding and dignified lives; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor the memory of one of America’s greatest leaders whose desire and dedication inspired generations and who put his own well being in jeopardy to give a voice to the voiceless, that we recognize April 23, 2004 as César Chávez Day in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to UFW President Arturo Rodriquez and to the César Chávez Foundation further evidencing the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.

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