National Holiday for Cesar E. Chavez

I recently asked a 14 year old boy at the library if he knew who Cesar Chavez was.
His reply was some boxer dude.

Cesar Estrada Chavez was born March 31, 1927 in Yuma, Arizona. He passed away on April 23, 1993,
but not without leaving a legacy that no one ever will or should forget.

In 1962 Cesar founded the National Farm Workers Association, now known as the United Farm Workers, the UFW. Cesar made people aware of the struggles of farm workers for better pay and safer working conditions. He succeeded through nonviolent tactics (boycotts, pickets, and strikes). Cesar Chavez and the union sought recognition of the importance and dignity of all farm workers. Cesar was willing to sacrifice his own life so that the union would continue and that violence was not used. Cesar fasted many times. In 1968 Cesar went on a water only, 25 day fast. He repeated the fast in 1972 for 24 days, and again in 1988, this time for 36 days.

On April 29, 1993, those he led in life honored Cesar Estrada Chavez in death. More than 50,000 mourners came to honor the charismatic labor leader at the site of his first public fast in 1968 and his last in 1988, the United Farm Workers Delano Field Office. On August 8, 1994, at a White House ceremony, Helen Chavez, Cesar's widow, accepted the Medal of Freedom for her late husband from President Clinton. In the citation accompanying America's highest civilian honor, the President lauded Chavez for having faced formidable, often violent opposition with dignity and nonviolence.

He was victorious. Cesar Chavez left our world better than he found it, and his legacy inspires us still. He was for his own people a Moses figure, the President declared. The farm workers who labored in the fields and yearned for respect and self-sufficiency pinned their hopes on this remarkable man who, with faith, discipline, soft spoken humility, and amazing inner strength, led a very courageous life.

Continue to remember his legacy. There are many areas that are at this time doing all they can
to get the birthday of Cesar recognized as a national holiday. Its long over due.
Help us with your signature to accomplish this for Colorado.