[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 4717] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND BIRTHDAY OF CESAR CHAVEZ ______ HON. GWEN MOORE of wisconsin in the house of representatives Tuesday, April 1, 2008 Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, Today, we gather to pay tribute to a remarkable man, and one of the most revered workers rights pioneers, Cesar Estrada Chavez. Cesar Chavez became one of our Nation's and the world's notable advocates for nonviolent social change. Born on a small Arizona farm on March 31, 1927, Cesar Chavez began his life as a farm worker in the fields at age 10. He later served in the United States Navy during World War II. Cesar Chavez didn't just learn about the struggle of migrant workers. He and his family lived it. He grew up moving from town to town and from school to school while his family worked in the fields. He became a farm worker as soon as he finished the eighth grade. Born out of his sweat and toil was a fierce determination to give a voice to families like his who labored so hard and received so little in return. Cesar Chavez became that voice of the farm workers. He established the United Farmworkers Union to establish this movement. The priorities he fought for are America's priorities: Better pay and benefits for workers. Better education for children. Health and safety protections for workers where there were none. He helped in expanding civil rights for minorities and advocated on behalf of every person living within the United States. He was committed to the idea that no matter their education or their job, anyone can demand fair treatment at work. Before Cesar Chavez, farmworkers were exposed to horrifying conditions, working long hours and being poisoned by pesticides. Chavez drew national attention to the plight of the farmworkers. Because of Chavez, farmworkers can no longer legally be treated in the inhumane manner they were before. Cesar E. Chavez was loved and respected by many, and he continued to fight for the rights of farm workers until his death in 1993. Chavez lived his life fighting for workers' rights, civil rights, environmental justice, equality for all, peace, non-violence, children and women's rights. Over 50,000 mourners came to pay their respects to the humble man, whose simple, modest manner was driven by his commitment to social justice. In 1994, Cesar Chavez was posthumously awarded the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Robert F. Kennedy once described Cesar Chavez as ``One of the heroic figures of our time''. He encouraged millions of people across the country to join the fight for social and economic justice for farm workers and to empower the poor and disenfranchised. It is important that we do our part to make America a place where everyone receives respect and opportunity. We must ensure Cesar Chavez' dream by promising every man, woman, and child in America a secure future with promising opportunities. We must work hard to raise the minimum wage, ensure that all Americans can earn a decent living and secure access to affordable health care. Selfless Service to others is why Cesar Chavez will always be an inspiration to all of us. Let's continue Cesar Chavez's legacy, by truly honoring his memory and continuing his commitment to achieving basic rights and dignity for all American workers.