Chavez's family travelled to Washington D.C. -- to witness President Barack Obama proclaim March 31st Cesar Chavez Day.
Chavez, along with Delores Huerta, founded the United Farm Workers of America. Chavez died in 1993 and would have been 83 Wednesday.
His family says Chavez would have been humbled by the honor and would want the day to be observed as a day of service.
The proclamation could help the movement to make March 31st a national holiday.
Chavez's birthday is already observed as a state holiday in California.
