Richard Chávez could have stayed home June 24th, but that was not his way. Despite fighting a tough cold, the brother of the late César Chávez traveled some 250 miles from his home in Keene, Kern County, to Sacramento that day to join an epic vigil by farm workers at the State Capitol.
The campesinos were on a 12-day campaign, fasting, marching and chanting for Gov. Jerry Brown to sign SB 104, a bill that would have made it easier for farm workers to join unions – the first step to better pay, benefits and enhanced on-the-job safety.
On the vigil’s 8th day, Richard Chávez stood on the Capitol steps, urging on more than 100 farm workers and their supporters from across the state. It turned out to be his last Sacramento speech.
Mr. Chávez died in a Bakersfield hospital on July 27, from complications after surgery. He was 81.
The writer of this story, a former Sacramento Bee news reporter now with the United Farm Workers’ media section, recorded Mr. Chávez’ extemporaneous remarks.
Mr. Chávez, who in the early 1960s helped his brother lay the foundation for the union, spoke for nearly five minutes, four days before Gov. Brown vetoed the legislation that farm workers so desperately needed – even though they had repeatedly chanted, “Señor Gobernador, su firma por favor!” (“Mister Governor, your signature, please!”)
After he was introduced, Mr. Chávez – wearing a black Ivy cap, a light green tropical shirt with a UFW pin on the chest and tan slacks -- thanked the crowd for its applause.
Respectfully but with a hint of humor, he then alluded to family politics, noting that in the early 1960s, he had come to the Capitol “to talk” to Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, Sr., who served as governor ...