Newark, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today introduced a resolution to honor and commemorate civil rights leader César Estrada Chávez. The resolution is co-led by Majority Leader Reid and co-sponsored by Senators Boxer, Heinrich, Bennet, T. Udall, Feinstein, Leahy, M. Udall, Stabenow, Levin, Durbin, Warren, and Gillibrand.

"Cesar Chavez's unwavering devotion, courage and relentless determination for the dignity and respect for all workers taught us our voice can change the course of an entire nation," said senator Menendez. "His belief in the guiding principle that we must leave the world a better place than we found it continues to resonate today as Americans, from rural agricultural fields in New Jersey to movie screens in Hollywood, remember one of our most important civil rights and labor leaders."

Cesar Estrada Chavez was born 86 years ago, on March 31, 1927, in Arizona to poor migrant farm workers. Following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., in 1962 Cesar Chavez co-founded the first successful farm workers union in the United States -- the United Farm Workers (UFW) to campaign for safe and fair working conditions, reasonable wages, decent housing, and the outlawing of child labor. He inspired hope in these workers through his great rallying catchphrase, "Sí Se Puede." Cesar E. Chavez was a recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Prize during his lifetime and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on August 8, 1994.

A copy of the legislation can be downloaded here: http://www.menendez.senate.gov/download/?id=C1BC76BE-7868-4ADD-A48D-17D31A698DD4

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