Harry Pachon
Harry Pachon
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Harry Pachon is a renowned American labor leader and activist who has been instrumental in shaping the country's labor policies.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on March 2, 1923, Pachon passed away on January 18, 2010.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Pachon was an American of Mexican descent. Throughout his career, he held various positions, including that of a labor leader and activist. He is best known for his work as the president of the United Farm Workers (UFW).
Early Life and Background
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Harry Pachon was born in Calexico, California, to a family of modest means. Growing up, he experienced firsthand the struggles faced by migrant workers, including poverty, exploitation, and poor working conditions. These early experiences would later shape his commitment to labor rights.
Pachon's entry into politics began during World War II, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After serving for two years, he returned to California and became involved with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), an umbrella organization that advocated for workers' rights.
Major Accomplishments
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As a labor leader, Pachon played a pivotal role in several key events and campaigns:
He was instrumental in organizing strikes by migrant farmworkers in 1959, leading to improved wages and working conditions.
In the 1960s, he worked closely with Cesar Chavez to form the United Farm Workers (UFW), which aimed to improve labor standards for agricultural workers across the country.
Pachon served as a key advisor to Chavez during his leadership of the UFW, helping to negotiate contracts and advocate for policy changes.
Notable Works or Actions
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Pachon's dedication to labor rights led him to participate in several notable campaigns:
He was part of the Delano Grape Strike, which began in 1965 as a strike by grape pickers seeking better wages and working conditions. The strike, led by Chavez and Pachon, drew national attention to the plight of migrant workers.
In the 1970s, he worked tirelessly to pass the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) amendments, which expanded protections for agricultural workers.
Impact and Legacy
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Harry Pachon's legacy extends far beyond his own lifetime. His tireless advocacy has led to significant improvements in labor standards for migrant workers:
He played a crucial role in raising national awareness about the struggles faced by farmworkers, contributing to landmark legislation such as Fair Labor Standards Act amendments.
His work with Chavez helped establish the UFW as a major force in American labor politics.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Harry Pachon's commitment to labor rights and his advocacy for migrant workers have made him a respected figure across the United States. He is remembered for:
Advocating for marginalized communities: Throughout his career, Pachon fought tirelessly on behalf of those who had little voice in society.
* Promoting social justice through organized labor: By working to establish better wages and working conditions for farmworkers, he helped bring attention to the plight of migrant workers.
Quotes by Harry Pachon
A lot of Latinos are first-generation new citizens, or second-generation children of immigrants, who don't have those deep roots of partisan attachment.
These are micro-entrepreneurs. . . . With the economy slowing down, when regular jobs shrink, people turn to starting their own business. I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but you can't accept these uncritically.
Oh my goodness, we've heard such horribly accented Spanish in the past six months, I can't tell you. You kind of wince and you say, 'OK, let's get through the Spanish,' because you know the candidate is really trying to say something to Latinos.
It makes sense for them to do this. It's a demographic imperative that's happening in the nation. It's showing that the Hispanic population is developing into a national presence. If it was still regionalised I don't know if they'd go through the trouble.
For every 100 Latinos you see walking down the street today, 34 of those 100 are under the age of 18, so they're not qualified to vote. That leaves 66. Of those 66, in certain states, 33 aren't U.S. citizens yet, so that leaves 33 Latinos. Of those 33, something like 16 don't register to vote. That leaves 17. Of the 17 Latinos who are left, about 11 to 12 actually vote.
For many years, these undocumented immigrants, as well as individuals who sympathize with the plight of this community, have been very quiet and passive. When you have 100,000 people out in the street, that gives reality to potential political power.
It might give some companies pause about the potential power that exists there. It does show you a market out there.
This is a symbolic closing of the gap that had developed for the last six years under the previous administration.
What the marches have done is give a human face to the immigration issue in the United States today.