SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 477 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the 19th Annual Cesar Chavez March for Justice, which is taking place March 28, 2015, in San Antonio; and WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez was one of the foremost labor and civil rights leaders in American history; born March 31, 1927, he grew up laboring as a migrant farm worker in the fields and vineyards of the southwestern United States, where he was exposed to the injustices and hardships common to that life; and WHEREAS, After serving in the United States Navy, he began his career as a civil rights activist when he joined the Community Service Organization, a Latino civil rights group; as a member of the organization, he conducted voter registration drives and campaigns against racial and economic discrimination, and he rose to the position of national director before acting on his dream to establish an organization to protect the rights of farm workers; and WHEREAS, In 1962, Mr. Chavez created the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers of America, the first successful farm workers' union in the nation's history; Cesar Chavez was deeply committed to the principle of nonviolence; under his leadership, the union was able to achieve fair wages and benefits and humane living conditions for farm workers; and WHEREAS, The union organized successful strikes and boycotts that led to the first industry-wide labor contracts for farm workers and to the passage of the landmark 1975 California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, which is still the nation's only law that protects the right of farm workers to unionize; and WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez was the quintessential American hero; he rose from poverty and hardship to become an inspiration to men and women around the world; it is truly fitting that we continue to celebrate his commitment to social justice and his enduring contributions to working men and women everywhere; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez and extend best wishes to all those associated with the 19th Annual Cesar Chavez March for Justice; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this special occasion. Menéndez Ellis Uresti West Ellis Uresti West Ellis Uresti West Garcia Watson Whitmire Garcia Watson Whitmire Garcia Watson Whitmire Rodríguez Zaffirini Rodríguez Zaffirini Rodríguez Zaffirini Patrick, President of the Senate ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 31, 2015. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate Ellis Uresti West Garcia Watson Whitmire Rodríguez Zaffirini