BILL ANALYSIS Ó
------------------------------------------------------------
|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | ACR 73|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|1020 N Street, Suite 524 | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
------------------------------------------------------------
THIRD READING
Bill No: ACR 73
Author: Alejo (D), et al.
Amended: 3/29/12 in Assembly
Vote: 21
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : Read and adopted, 3/29/12
SUBJECT : César Chávez
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution calls upon Californians to
observe César Chávezs birthday, March 31, as a day of
public service, to recognize the hard work and
self-sacrifice that farmworkers go through to feed all the
families in our state, and to learn from César Chávez's
life and his mission of nonviolence, social justice, and
selfless service to others.
ANALYSIS :
Resolution findings:
1. In 2000, the Legislature passed and Governor Gray Davis
signed into law SB 984 (Polanco), Chapter 213, Statutes
of 2000, to create the first annual state holiday in the
country on César Chávez's birthday, March 31.
2. César Chávez successfully increased public awareness of
farmworker working conditions; and, through strikes,
CONTINUED
ACR 73
Page
2
boycotts, marches, and fasts Chávez never stopped his
peaceful battles on behalf of the farmworkers with whom
he shared his life.
3. César Chávez experienced the hardships and injustices of
farmworker life firsthand; and Chávez recognized that
for many people, spanning many generations and
ethnicities, the path to a better life frequently begins
in the fields.
4. César Chávez's dedication earned him the respect of some
of our greatest political and civil rights leaders; and,
since his passing, the United Farm Workers of America
has continued his work through organizing farmworkers
and campaigns to enact laws and regulations to bring
dignity and protections to farmworkers.
5. To many Californians the farmworkers' struggles are an
issue from the past; and the fruits and vegetables that
we enjoy in our daily lives are produced by farmworkers
who often endure long hours of backbreaking work and
still face challenges such as inadequate enforcement of
pesticide, safety, and labor protection laws in the
fields.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 4/9/12)
American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees, AFL-CIO
California Professional Firefighters
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : Supporters argue that César Chávez
helped build the National Farm Workers of America. In
1965, in partnership with a union of Filipino American
Farmworkers, César Chávez organized a major strike against
grape growers in California. Chávez was a strong advocate
for improved compensation and labor conditions for
farmworkers in America, helping to place their plight
before the conscience of the American people. His later
efforts resulted in the enactment of California's historic
Agricultural labor Relations Act of 1975. This was the
first and still the only law in the nation to "encourage
ACR 73
Page
3
and protect" the right of farmworkers to organize and
bargain with their employers. César Chávez never stopped
his peaceful battles on behalf of the farmworkers with whom
he shared his life.
PQ:do 4/10/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
**** END ****