LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 17th Anniversary of the death
of Cesar E. Chavez, United Farm Workers Crusader

WHEREAS, Our nation is a symbol of democracy, peace, freedom and justice
born out of the many men and women who have fought for and died to
preserve it; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to join
with the Mexican-American community in commemorating the 17th Anniver-
sary of the death of Cesar E. Chavez, United Farm Workers Crusader; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of this commemoration is to observe the life and
legacy which Cesar E. Chavez left behind, not only for the farm workers
in the United States, but also to all those who believe in the non-viol-
ent struggle for civil rights and human dignity; and
WHEREAS, Cesar E. Chavez, of humble origins, and of Mexican parentage,
was born in Yuma, Arizona, and was raised in the midst of the farms
which many Mexicans tilled and worked for in bringing agricultural
products to our tables; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez was known for his keen leadership style, his
non-violent stance, and his constant struggle to protect the rights of
farm workers in California and throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, Between 1952 and 1962, Cesar Chavez worked for the Community
Services Organization; when they refused to organize farm workers in
1962, he left and co-founded the United Farmers Union with Dolores Huer-
ta; the bylaws were approved by the AFL-CIO in 1966; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez represents, for many people, a humble role model
and at the same time, demonstrates powerful convictions; his boycotts of
grapes and other products raised consciousness about the life and strug-
gles of farm workers, their needs and desires for a quality of life and
education; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez's motto, "Si Se Puede" translated "Yes We Can,"
is a reflection of this commitment; and
WHEREAS, Like Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez
believed in and carried out his struggle adhering to the principles of
non-violence; his many acts of protest and, particularly, fasting served
to unify the workers, alert America to the dangers of pesticides and
stimulate the conscience and support of many in our Nation; and
WHEREAS, The family of the State of New York commemorates and honors
Cesar Chavez as a champion of democracy and human rights; his legacy
remains in the hearts and minds of many, but not nearly as much as in
the workers and members of the United Farm Workers of America, which he
founded and has, since his death on April 23, 1993, grown from 20,000
members to approximately 27,000 members; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting that New York, with a history rich in campaigns
and battles for civil, labor and human rights, joins in honoring a great
leader -- Cesar E. Chavez; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 17th Anniversary of the death of Cesar E. Chavez, United
Farm Workers Crusader; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Cesar E. Chavez and to the Cesar E. Chavez
Foundation.