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Board of Supervisors and County Attorney honors the life of Cesar Chavez +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FLORENCE- "I remember meeting Cesar Chavez in the late 1960s," recalled Supervisor Lionel Ruiz. "He came to the Leo Terrill Union Hall in Kearny for a rally. He was as impressive then as his legacy is today." _______________________________________________ |
| On Wednesday, March 12, the Pinal County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a Proclamation in memory of the late United Farm Workers (UFW) leader Cesar Chavez. The Proclamation was presented by Pinal County Attorney James P. Walsh who said that Chavez was an example of nonviolent commitment to justice. "Cesar Chavez’ fight against unfair labor laws for farm workers in the Arizona of the 1970s taught us that everyone who works must have a living wage and safe conditions."
Born in Yuma in 1927, Chavez started his life as a migrant farm worker after his father lost the family farm in the Great Depression. As a young adult, Chavez joined the Navy in World War II and served in the Pacific Theatre. "While many equate Cesar Chavez with the farm workers movement," said Chairman David Snider, "there are those who really didn’t know that this is a man who served his country in the Armed Forces in some of the hottest fighting zones at the end of the war." In 1962, Chavez began a quest that would define his life to those who work the fields for a living. The first successful farm workers union was founded by Chavez which brought fair wages, medical coverage, humane living conditions and other protections to hundreds of thousands of hard working laborers on farms. "He had a profound impact on the lives of many," said Supervisor Sandie Smith. "You look at some of the farms that were established inside Pinal County and you realize he had a profound affect on this county, as well." In 1975, Chavez and the UFW were instrumental in getting the only law passed which allows farm workers to unionize. Highly honored both here in the United States and in Mexico, Chavez was presented the Aguila Azteca (The Aztec Eagle) Mexico’s highest honor to people of Mexican heritage who have made major contributions outside of Mexico. He was also posthumously presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 1994. Chavez became only the second Mexican-American to earn the highest civilian honor in the United States. Facts About Cesar Chavez Chavez was a reader of the methods of nonviolent protesters such as St. Francis of Assisi and Gandhi. Chavez participated in three major fasts as a nonviolent means of support of UFW. His longest fast lasted 36 days in 1988. Chavez’ highest grade completed in school was eighth grade. |
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