March 12, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 48 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page H1665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              COMMEMORATING LEGACY OF HELEN FABELA CHAVEZ

  (Mr. VARGAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. VARGAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of International 
Women's Day.
  Throughout our past, many men have been recognized for their impact 
on our society; however, it is extremely important that we recognize 
the many women who fueled social change.
  Helen Fabela Chavez was one of these women.
  Helen was born on January 21, 1928, in Brawley, California, a city in 
my district. Like many Chicano children in the early 20th century, 
Helen began working in the agricultural industry at the age of 7.
  After marrying Cesar Chavez in 1948, Helen left the workforce to take 
care of her husband and their eight children.
  However, after 10 years, Helen returned to the workforce as the 
breadwinner for the family while Cesar Chavez began to establish the 
National Farm Workers Association.
  Helen and other Chicana members contributed greatly to the success of 
the union, and she later became the treasurer for what became the 
United Farm Workers.
  I want to honor Helen Fabela Chavez, a woman who both raised and 
financially supported her family while also changing history from the 
grassroots up.

                          ____________________