Drive for César Chávez Holiday Gets Boost from Santana, Martin Sheen (H. Res. 76)

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/02/02/drive-for-csar-chvez-holiday-gets-boost-from-santana-sheen/

by Mike Hall, Feb 2, 2008

The drive to establish a national holiday honoring César Chávez, one the most inspirational labor leaders of the 20th century, got a boost this week when three prominent and progressive entertainers agreed to serve as national co-chairs of the movement.

Grammy award-winning musician Carlos Santana and acclaimed actors Edward James Olmos and Martin Sheen “give the national holiday effort a tremendous boost and inspiration,” says Evelina Alarcon, executive director of César E. Chávez National Holiday. The Los Angeles-based organization is seeking to establish March 31, Chávez’s birthday, as the national holiday.

All three entertainers supported Chávez, the founder of the Farm Workers (UFW) union, during the historic movement to win rights for farm workers in California in the 1960s and 1970s.

Chávez, who died in 1993, lived his life fighting for workers’ rights, civil rights, environmental justice, equality for all, peace, non-violence, children and women’s rights. He also inspired millions of people across the country to join the fight for social and economic justice for farm workers and to empower the poor and disenfranchised. Says Sheen:

A national holiday honoring César Chávez would secure his profound legacy, while future generations may scarce believe that such a man existed.

Santana says, Chávez’s “quality of service to all humanity” deserves to be honored and

his supreme cry of “Si Se Puede,” will forever resonate as a positive motivator, as words of light.

The group is coordinating national actions and events March 31 with unions, community civil rights and other organizations in more than 40 cities. (Click here to learn more about the events). http://www.cesarchavezholiday.org/action.html



In 2000, California was the first state to honor Chávez with a holiday and Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Rhode Island also have established Chávez holidays. A bill in Congress (H. Res. 76) to create a National César Chávez Day has 56 co-sponsors.

To learn more about Chavez’s life and accomplishments click here, here and here.

[Joanne98]

1. good