Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Reintroduces Resolution to Honor Civil Rights Icon with National 'Dolores Huerta Day'
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on the 95th birthday of legendary labor and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) reintroduced a resolution to designate April 10 as "Dolores Huerta Day" in her honor. The resolution celebrates Huerta's lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and the empowerment of working people, especially farm workers and women.
"Dolores Huerta is one of the most courageous, tireless advocates for working families this country has ever seen. Her work has improved the live of countless families, including those in my own district," said Congresswoman Garcia. "From organizing grape boycotts to co-founding the United Farm Workers with César Chávez, to championing women's rights and grassroots voter engagement, Dolores has never stopped fighting for those without a voice. It's time we honor her legacy at the federal level—not just for what she's done, but for what she continues to inspire."
"I wish to thank Congress and Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia for this resolution honoring my work with farmworkers who feed us everyday, women, our LGBTQ+ community and nonprofit community organizations who are organizing for justice and democracy every day," said Dolores Huerta.
A daughter of working-class parents, Huerta began her advocacy after witnessing the deep poverty and hunger faced by her students as a school teacher in Stockton, California. She quickly realized that systemic change was needed and committed her life to organizing farm workers for better wages, safer working conditions, and the dignity they deserved. Alongside labor leader and civil rights leader César Chávez, Huerta co-founded what would become the United Farm Workers. She played a central role in the 1965 Delano grape strike and the nationwide boycotts that followed, paving the way for landmark labor protections.
Her activism didn't stop with labor rights. Huerta has been a fierce advocate for women's equality, reproductive justice, and Latino political representation—often at great personal risk. In 1988, she was severely beaten by San Francisco police during a peaceful protest, suffering broken ribs and a shattered spleen. Even then, she never backed down. The incident sparked reforms in police crowd control policies and renewed her resolve to keep organizing.
Huerta coined the phrase “sí se puede” — yes we can — a motto that has inspired generations of social movements for change. In recognition of her lifelong contributions, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 and continues her work today as president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, which is focused on civic engagement and community empowerment.
Currently, California and Washington state recognize April 10 as Dolores Huerta Day. Congresswoman Garcia's resolution would establish it as a national day of recognition, aligning it with existing observances like César Chávez Day, and making sure that Huerta's contributions are honored at the federal level.
This resolution has been endorsed by the Dolores Huerta Foundation, United Farm Workers, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), and Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs.
Congresswoman Garcia previously introduced this resolution in the 118th Congress and is proud to lead its reintroduction with a growing coalition of co-sponsors.
The resolution has 53 original cosponsors: Reps. Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Ami Bera (D-CA-06), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA-31), Lou Correa (D-CA-46), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL-04), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34), Al Green (D-TX-09), Pablo José Hernández (D-PR-AL), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), James McGovern (D-MA-02), Robert J. Menendez (D-NJ-08), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Norma Torres (D-CA-35), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Maxine Waters (D-CA-43)