Richard Chavez

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U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
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Richard Estrada Chavez (November 12, 1929 – July 27, 2011) was an American

National Farm Workers Association, now known as the United Farm Workers (UFW). Richard Chavez is credited with building the UFW into a major California agricultural and political organization.[1][2]

Chavez was born to a migrant family on November 12, 1929, near

National Farm Workers Association with his brother Cesar Chavez and organizing leader Dolores Huerta, which would later become known as the United Farm Workers (UFW).[2]

Richard Chavez spearheaded the construction of the United Farm Workers'

U.S. President Barack Obama called the eagle "a symbol of hope that has helped carry the struggle for the rights of farm workers forward for almost five decades."[3]

In 1966, Chavez became the founding director of the National Farm Workers Service Center, which opened up social services to farm workers.

boycott which was led by Dolores Huerta, which spanned five years during the late 1960s.[1] He later helped organize other strikes in Detroit and New York City
.

Richard Chavez served as the third

contractor's license.[1]

For many years, Chavez maintained a liaison with fellow labor leader Dolores Huerta.[1] They never married, but four children were born of the relationship.[1]

Richard Chavez died from complications of surgery at a hospital in Bakersfield, California, on July 27, 2011, at the age of 81.[1][2] He was survived by ten children, six from his first marriage and four from his relationship with Dolores Huerta.[1] Chavez was also survived by two sisters, Rita Chavez Medina and Vicki Chavez Lastra, and one surviving brother, Librado Chavez.[1]

President Barack Obama issued a statement calling Chavez a "symbol of hope."[4] Chavez had visited Obama at the White House in 2010 to mark Cesar Chavez Day.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Quinones, Sam (2011-07-28). "Richard Chavez dies at 81; brother of Cesar Chavez (He helped Cesar Chavez build the United Farm Workers into a political and agricultural force. He organized the California grape boycott in the late 1960s.)". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Nevarez, Griselda (2011-07-28). "United Farm Workers co-founder Richard Chavez dies". Tucson Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  3. ^ Pabst, Georgia (2011-07-28). "Richard Chavez mourned". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  4. ^ a b Jackson, David (2011-07-28). "Obama praises Chavez as 'symbol of hope'". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-07-30.