Posted on 03/29/2004 10:43:36 AM PST by chance33_98
Statement from Kerry on Cesar Chavez Day
3/29/2004 12:20:00 PM
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To: National Desk
Contact: Laura Capps of John Kerry for President, 202-712-3000; Web: http://www.johnkerry.com
SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, John Kerry visited the 4th Annual Cesar Chavez Youth Forum in Sacramento to talk with a group of children working on a service project commemorating Cesar Chavez Day. Kerry met with children and read an excerpt from Kathleen Krull's "Harvesting Hope," a children's book that details the story of Cesar Chavez's 340-mile march to protest the working conditions of migrant farm workers in California. The holiday is celebrated in seven states - Arizona, California, Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, Texas and Utah - to honor Chavez' life. In California, workers and children dedicate the day-off to community service.
Cesar Chavez founded the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) which represents thousands of farm workers in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Washington and Oregon. Kerry was endorsed by the UFW on February 1, 2004.
Kerry issued the following statement on today's holiday:
"Cesar Chavez once told us that 'we cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community.'
"Today, America's Latino communities are dotted with Cesar Chavez boulevards - a tribute to a man whose fight for justice reached so many neighborhoods and touched so many hearts.
"Born into poverty, Cesar Chavez served in the United States Navy in World War II, and rose to become one of our greatest advocates of nonviolent change.
"Like Chavez and the thousands of united farm workers and so many others whom he has inspired, we need to stand for this change in America once more. We need to stand for justice. We need to give a voice to those who are not heard. And we need to make the words of Cesar Chavez not just a slogan, but a solemn promise: 'Si se Puede.'"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, though communism may have lost its fire, he remains the potent symbol of rebellion and the alluring zeal of revolution. The 1959 revolution brought equality for women and free health care and universal employment..."
Kerry Staffer 1: "What the hell is he talking about?"
Kerry Staffer 2: "You told me to write a speech for John about Che Guevara!"
Kerry Staffer 1: "Not Che Guevara, you idiot! Cesar Chavez!
Kerry Staffer 2: "Cripes, I always get those two confused! What should we do?
John Kerry: "...and he stood up to American imperial ambitions and hegemony until his untimely death..."
Kerry Staffer 1: "Might as well just let him finish it. It doesn't sound all that much different from his regular stump speech. Maybe no one will notice..."
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