WHEREAS, César Estrada Chávez was born in 1927 near Yuma Arizona, after his family to lost their farm during a dishonest loan transaction; they later moved to California; and

WHEREAS, before the rise of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), working conditions were harsh for most agricultural workers, who were not provided even the most basic necessities such as clean drinking water or portable toilets; many lived in shacks without indoor plumbing or cooking facilities; and

WHEREAS, in 1962 César Chávez, along with many dedicated farm workers, formed the UFW securing historic labor and civil rights concessions for exploited and impoverished farm workers; and

WHEREAS, Chávez and the union marched 340 miles in 1966 from Delano to Sacramento focusing national attention and recognition for the importance and dignity of all farm workers, and by 1973 Chávez-joined by Dolores Huerta-organized the historic grape boycott resulting in union contracts with most of the grape grower industry; and

WHEREAS, Chávez believed in social justice through non-violence, using the picket line and the power of the boycott as well as sacrificing his own health during 3 historic fasts in 1968 for 25 days, in 1972 for 24 days, again in 1988 for 36 days; and

WHEREAS, César Estrada Chávez gave his last ounce of strength to La Causa, dying peacefully on April 23, 1993, leaving his legacy and symbol of dignity for all people who seek justice; and

WHEREAS, on August 8, 1994, President Bill Clinton posthumously presented the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to César Estrada Chávez;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2023, as a day in honor of

CÉSAR ESTRADA CHÁVEZ