The recent information about the alleged sexual assault and rape by the esteemed Latino labor leader, Cesar Chavez, has filled us with pain and disappointment. But, if we are to truly honor the rich history of the Farm Workers Union movement, we must also be willing to confront the harmful effects on the movement. As we humbly and truthfully address the difficult question surrounding the failures of Chavez, hopefully we will also recommit our efforts to build up the power and respect that the United Farm Workers have gained through their dedication and hard work since the beginning of the modern Farm Workers movement that was born in 1965.
While it is just and right that Chavez's name be removed from streets, buildings and programs named after him, it is also just and necessary that we continue to honor the movement that ultimately strengthen the values the Union claim to uphold.
Alongside Delores Huerta, one of the founders of the Union, we are reminded of the nonviolent tactics rooted in Catholic social teachings on which the Farm Workers Union has been founded. Our main focus on this Union must be on the thousands and thousands of mainly Mexican populations who have served the importance of agriculture in our Country even through dire conditions, including exposure to deadly chemicals, inadequate food and shelter, and sexual harassment, while receiving meager wages. The human condition in which many of these farm workers have served, and even serve today, means they do not have electricity, running water or bathrooms.
This is a moment to thank our God for the thousands and thousands of generous farm workers who have helped to make our Country strong and helped to provide the food we need for all of our tables. It's a moment especially for which we can all do something to support these farm workers and to express our gratitude to them as we strive to improve their working conditions.
I mention here that we are all grateful to UFW who has established a Federal Credit Union, and Union centers with medical care, pensions and voter registration service to its Union members. The UFW needs to make many improvements while it is still operating. There are issues that need to be addressed while the Union strive, to address short term labor contracts and how the lack of federal legislation concerning farmer's rights have affected the Union. While it is proper because of his blatant failure, the name of Cesar Chavez and others should be removed from public places associated with the United Farm Workers. We can easily find other names to express our gratitude for the generous service of our thousands of brother and sister farm workers. For example, can we name our streets the Farm Workers Way or Farm Workers Boulevard, and put up signs supporting the thousands of farm workers who make our Country so dynamic and strong?
While we continue to grieve the failure of an icon leader, let us also with God's grace renew our efforts to support across our Country the thousands and thousands of generous farm workers on whom we all depend in some way. Honoring the movement does not require you to look away from harm in areas that need improvement. Confronting these difficult truths does not mean to overlook the values the Union claims to uphold.