WHEREAS, Cesar Estrada Chavez, a first-generation American, born in 1927 near Yuma Arizona. A true American Hero, Chavez was a civil rights, Latino and farm labor leader; a genuinely religious and spiritual figure; a community organizer and social entrepreneur; a champion of militant nonviolent social change; and a crusader for the environment and consumer rights; and

WHEREAS, he co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which later merged with Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) to become the United Farm Workers (UFW); and

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

WHEREAS, Chavez 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 1974 Chavez - joined by Dolores Huerta - organized the historic grape boycott resulting in union contracts with most of the grape grower industry; and

WHEREAS, Cesar Estrada Chavez gave his last ounce of strength to La Causa. Cesar's motto, "Si se puede!" ("Yes, it can be done!"), embodies the uncommon legacy he left for people around the world; and

WHEREAS, as a common man with an uncommon vision, Cesar Chavez stood for equality, justice and dignity for all Americans. His universal principles remain as relevant and inspiring today as they were when he first began his movement. He died peacefully on April 23, 1993; and

WHEREAS, on August 08, 1994, President Bill Clinton posthumously awarded Cesar the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. The U.S. Navy named a ship after him in 2011;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024

A DAY IN HONOR OF CÉSAR ESTRADA CHÁVEZ