Bill Text: PA HR68 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging the Congress of the United States to declare March 31, each year, a national holiday in honor of the late, great farm worker leader Cesar E. Chavez.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 20-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-02-11 - Referred to INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS [HR68 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR68-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 396
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 68 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY CRUZ, YOUNGBLOOD, McGEEHAN, McCALL, SAINATO, READSHAW, KIRKLAND, PAYTON, SIPTROTH, GRUCELA, WALKO, M. O'BRIEN, MELIO, BELFANTI, K. SMITH, D. COSTA, DeLUCA AND JOSEPHS, FEBRUARY 11, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, FEBRUARY 11, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Congress of the United States to declare March 31,
each year, a national holiday in honor of the late, great
farm worker leader Cesar E. Chavez.
WHEREAS, From humble beginnings in 1927, Cesar E. Chavez,
founder of the United Farm Workers of America, 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. Chavez 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 Mr. Chavez in the movement for
farm workers' rights; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez 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 effects
of pesticides on both farm workers and consumers; and
WHEREAS, As a result of these and other valuable
contributions, ten states now celebrate Mr. Chavez's birthday,
March 31, as a holiday, including Arizona, California, Colorado,
Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and
Wisconsin, and countless schools, streets, libraries and other
public institutions have been named after Mr. Chavez; and
WHEREAS, Many cities have honored Mr. Chavez by establishing
an official city holiday on his birthday; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez died April 23, 1993; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia City Council honored Mr. Chavez's
memory in 2004 by unanimously approving a resolution recognizing
April 23, 2004, as "Cesar Chavez Day" in the City of
Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The life of Mr. Chavez, who like Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., was an adherent to nonviolent civil disobedience,
serves as a model for all Americans; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania call upon all the people of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania to celebrate the life of Cesar E. Chavez by
engaging in service, learning and community actions that
represent his legacy on his birthday and throughout the year;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Congress and the President
of the United States to establish an official national holiday
and day of service, learning and action for Cesar E. Chavez on
March 31, each year; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday Organization, Ms. Evelina
20090HR0068PN0396 - 2 -
Alarcon, Executive Director, 3325 Wilshire Boulevard, Los
Angeles, CA 90010.
20090HR0068PN0396 - 3 -