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.

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 National Holiday is an organization based in Los Angeles, California that is spearheading a national effort to win support for a national holiday and day of service, learning and action to be established on his birthday, March 31; and

WHEREAS,

The City Council of Philadelphia calls on all people in Philadelphia to celebrate the life of Cesar E. Chavez by engaging in service, learning and community actions that represent his legacy on his birthday, March 31, 2008, and all throughout the year; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That the City Council of Philadelphia calls on the United States Congress and the President of the United States to one day establish an official federal holiday and day of service, learning and action for Cesar E. Chavez on his birthday, March 31.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be given to the Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday organization.

End