Viva Chavez, Cesar E. Chavez Birthday March 31st, American Hero Chavez, UFW Union, Little Village Rotary Club Networking, Passport Day, Fraternal Order of Wildcats Banquet, Calendar of Event, Chavez Quote

American Hero: Cesar E. Chavez

        VIVA CHAVEZ: Union leader and labor organizer Cesar Estrada Chavez’s [1937-1993] birthday is Monday, March 31^st. Chavez was born near Yuma, Arizona on March 31, 1927. He died April 23, 1993, in San Luis, Arizona. Cesar Chavez was an American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist and the founder, with Dolores Huerta, of the United Farm Workers [UFW] in 1972.

          CHAVEZ’s parents were Juana Estrada Chavez, Librado Chavez; his wife was Helen Fabela Chávez (m. 1948-1993), and their children are Anna Chavez Ybarra, Elizabeth Chavez Villarino, Paul Chavez, Eloise Chavez Carrillo, Linda Chávez Rodríguez, Anthony Chavez, Fernando Chavez, Sylvia Chavez Delgado.

           A MEXICAN-AMERICAN Chavez dedicated his life to organizing the farm workers. As a farm worker, Chavez knew the plight and the suffering of the farm workers under the growers. Low wages, no benefits, unsanitary conditions and the dangers of pesticides to workers’ health.

August Sallas & Cesar Chavez

          AS A UNION organizer, Chavez used nonviolent tactics to bring attention to the plight of the farm workers. His weapons were marches, boycotts, picketing, strikes and several hunger strikes.

          IN 1968, Chavez fasted for 25 days to promote the principle of nonviolence. In 1970 he went on a fast of “thanksgiving and hope” to pre-arranged civil disobedience by farm workers. He also led a successful national strike and boycott of California lettuce.

          IN 1972, Chavez fasted in response to Arizona's passage of legislation, which prohibited boycotts and strikes by farm workers. Chavez made famous the slogan “Si, se puede” [Yes, it can be done]. He is a labor icon and an American Hero. There are many schools, streets, buildings, and even a ship named after him. The Post Office in Pilsen is named after Cesar Chavez and a commemorative U.S. Stamp was issued honoring Chavez.

          MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL signed a City Proclamation commemorating Monday, March 31, 2014 as “Cesar E. Chavez Day” in Chicago, and “encourage all Chicagoans to recognize his important contributions to workers' rights.”

          CESAR CHAVEZ movie is opening in theaters on March 28^th. Viva Chavez!

         

          NETWORKING: The Rotary Club of Little Village is inviting Little Village residents and businesses to their networking event. The event, to kick off the Spring, will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2014 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at La Michoacana Ice Cream Shop at 3032 S. Cicero, Cicero, Illinois. Attendees are asked to please RSVP to the littlevillagerotary@gmail.com or call Ernest Espinosa 214/907-9759 or visit the Rotary webside at www.littlevillagerotary.org

          PASSPORT DAY: Do you need a U.S. Passport Book? U.S. Citizens can apply for a U.S. Passport Book at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26^th St., Chicago, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2014. No appointment necessary. Adults first time applicants [age 16 years and older] Form DS 82 and all minor applicants [Under age 16] Form DS 11.

          ADULTS Passport book application requirement: Original birth certification, plus the original of one of the following: Valid Driver’s License, Valid State or Government Identification, or valid Military Identification. Two photos 2x2 inches. Photos must be on a white background. Photos must also be recent, within one month. Minor original birth certification plus two photos. Photo Service will be provided on Passport Day.

          COST of U.S. Passport Book: Adults $110, plus execution fee: $25; Minor $90, plus execution fee: $25; Adult Passport Card: $30, plus execution fee: $25. Expedited Service cost: $60, plus execution fee: $25; passport book overnight delivery, $14.85.

          BUSINESS people are encourage to attend this U.S. Post Office event to learn how to use the many services of the Post Office.

          ALL FEES: Exact cash or personal checks, money orders payable to either “Department of State” or “U.S. Postal”. First come, first serve at the Little Village Community Council office for passports. Doors will be open at 9 a.m.

  

          A CELEBRATION: The Fraternal Order of St. Francis Wildcats will be celebrating its 76^th Anniversary annual banquet on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at the Lexington House, 7717 West 95^th St., Hickory Hill, IL. Individual tickers are $65 each, which includes open bar, full-course family meal and entertainment by the Latin Satin Soul and DJ Larry Villareal & “L” Productions.

          FOR MORE INFORMATION or banquet tickets contact Al Martinez 773/896-7733.

CALENDAR OF EVENT

          THURSDAY, APRIL 3rd—Little Village Community Council and HOPE is hosting a community meeting at Blanco Y Negro Restaurant, 4043 W. 26^th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Topic: Public Housing Project. Invited residents of Little Village and Ald. Ricardo Munoz [22^nd Ward].

          QUOTE: "Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot UN-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future and the future is ours." 


                                                                                  --Cesar E. Chavez