“The NALEO Educational Fund strongly condemns the action of those U.S. Senators who blocked the passage of a resolution honoring American hero César Estrada Chávez on Friday, March 30th, the day before his birthday.  As a Mexican American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist, Chávez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers of America.  His efforts led to unprecedented improvments
in the conditions for workers, and advanced the cause of justice in our nation.  Because of his legacy as one of the greatest American civil rights leaders, Chávez’ birthday has become a holiday in four states.  Across the United States, many parks, libraries, streets, cultural centers, and schools have been named in his honor.

In 1993, President William Jefferson Clinton posthumously bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Chávez, one of the two highest civilian awards which is designed to recognize individuals who have made ‘an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.’

We are deeply disappointed about the objections raised by some Senators to the resolution honoring this great American, and we are particularly concerned about the role played by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) who attempted to include resolution language about Chávez’ involvement in a 1969 march against growers’ importation of illegal immigrant labor to thwart the United Farm Workers of America’s organizing efforts.  We believe this was an inappropriate effort to inflame our national debate over immigration policy by raising the implication that Chávez would not have been deeply angry about the anti-immigrant tenor of the debate.  This implication is outrageous and untrue.  It is deeply offensive that the opportunity to honor Chávez and his legacy was used in such an inflammatory and divisive manner.

The contributions made by Chávez during his lifetime live on through his legacy of justice and respect for the labor of Latinos and all Americans.  The actions of the U.S. Senators who blocked the resolution commemorating Chávez’ birthday did a great dishonor to this legacy and our nation’s hardworking men and women who have been inspired by his great work.