Last April the United States Postal Service paid tribute to civil rights and farm labor leader César E. Chávez with a new commemorative postage stamp issued in his honor.

The César E. Chávez stamp became available on April 24 in post offices nationwide. Paul F. Chávez, César's son and Chairman of the César E. Chávez Foundation said "The César E. Chávez commemorative stamp is a powerful vehicle to introduce a new generation of Americans to my father's vital legacy, teaching them that through determination and hard work they can improve their own lives and communities."

Chávez is best known as the founder of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO (UFW). He was a tireless advocate for nonviolent social change and dedicated his life to working in service of others. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy once called Chávez "one of the heroic figures of our time."

The stamp image was painted by freelance illustrator Robert Rodriguez and features a portrait of Chávez against a background of empty grape fields. The following text appears on the back of the stamp: "Civil rights leader César E. Chávez (1927-1993) founded the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO. A tireless advocate for justice and equality for all people, he dedicated his life to working in service of others."

Go to www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/welcome.htm for more information. Current U.S. stamps are available by calling toll-free 1 800 STAMP-24.

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