08 LC 95
0877
House
Resolution 1769
By:
Representatives Marin of the
96th,
Brooks of the
63rd,
Benfield of the
85th,
Porter of the
143rd,
Williams of the
165th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
César E. Chávez and calling for a national holiday on the occasion
of his birthday on March 31, 2008; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
from humble beginnings in 1927, César E. Chávez, 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, Mr. Chávez 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 him in the movement for farm workers' rights; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Chávez was also a champion for civil rights, labor rights, voting
rights, and 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, nine states now celebrate
César E. Chávez's birthday, March 31, as a holiday, including
California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Michigan, Illinois, and
Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS,
countless schools, streets, libraries, and other public institutions have been
named after César E. Chávez, and many cities have honored him by
establishing an official city holiday on his birthday; and
WHEREAS,
the life of Mr. Chávez, who, like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was an
adherent to nonviolent civil disobedience, serves as a model for all Americans;
and
WHEREAS,
the César E. Chávez National Holiday organization, based in Los
Angeles, California, 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 Georgia Latino Forum unanimously passed a similar resolution supporting the
César E. Chávez National Holiday effort at its 2nd Annual Meeting
on January 26, 2008; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO), the GALEO Latino
Community Development Fund, and the GALEO Leadership Councils will hold a
historic, multiracial, and multiethnic rally in support of the César E.
Chávez National Holiday effort on March 31, 2008, at the state capitol,
which will be the first rally ever held in Georgia to honor César E.
Chávez.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body join together to call on the United States Congress and President Bush
to establish an official federal holiday and day of service, learning, and
action for César E. Chávez on his birthday, March 31st, each year
in honor of his exemplary work on behalf of farm workers, civil rights, labor
rights, and women's rights.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the
César E. Chávez National Holiday organization.