20 new U.S. citizens from seven nations sworn in at National Chavez Center on 1st anniversary of President Obama’s visit
Immigration Service Western Director Carolyn Muzyka joins Helen Chavez, Cesar Chavez Foundation President Paul Chavez & UFW President Arturo Rodriguez
Twenty new United States citizens from seven nations took the oath of allegiance at a moving ceremony on Tuesday, October 8, 2013, at the National Chavez Center in Keene, marking the one year anniversary of President Obama’s visit. That was when he proclaimed the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument, the 398th unit of the National Park Service, on a small part of the 187-acre grounds where the legendary civil rights and farm labor leader lived and worked his last quarter century.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Western Regional Director Carolyn Muzyka swore in the new citizens from the Central Valley, and Cesar Chavez Foundation President Paul F. Chavez, Chavez’s middle son, and United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez also spoke at the naturalization ceremony the Chavez foundation hosted at the 17,000 square foot Villa La Paz Educational Center where President Obama spoke on Oct. 8, 2012. Helen Chavez, Cesar Chavez’s widow, also attended.
See remarks from Arturo Rodriguez and Paul Chavez.
Remarks by Arturo S. Rodriguez, President
United Farm Workers of America
Special Naturalization Ceremony
Welcome Address
October 8, 2013—La Paz
Thank you, Jonathan Crawford. It’s a privilege to welcome the soon-to-be United States citizens and their families as well as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Regional Director Carolyn Muzyka to the National Chavez Center and the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument here at Nuestra Senora Reina De La Paz.
One year ago, outside this very facility, it was my honor to introduce President Obama when he proclaimed a small portion of these historic grounds as the Chavez National Monument.
We are sorry that because of the government shutdown this ceremony can’t be held inside the National Monument, which is closed. But we are grateful to the Cesar Chavez Foundation for making available Villa La Paz.
We can’t think of a more fitting way to mark that memorable occasion than by swearing in new U.S. citizens.
Two of those being sworn in today received help in becoming citizens from the UFW Foundation: Maria Rangel de Enciso and Elias Diaz Gonzalez.
The UFW Foundation is another arm of our movement and the only non-profit organization recognized by the federal government to help farm workers and other immigrants with their cases in Kern County . . . and one of only four such groups in the Central Valley.
UFW Foundation helps prevent immigrants from falling prey to unscrupulous notarios or attorneys. It reaches immigrants in isolated communities with education and assistance.
Among several men and women from the UFW Foundation with us today is Diana Tellefson-Torres, its executive director and a union executive board member.
Cesar was convinced of the importance of educating people to assert their rights. So he created Radio Campesina, a nine-station educational Spanish-language radio network—now with 500,000 daily listeners in four states.
Radio Campesina also plays a key role in educating and mobilizing immigrant workers.
Today’s ceremony is another example of how our movement has championed immigrant rights and citizenship participation since the ‘60s. Cesar Chavez always ensured the movement included all farm workers—from embracing immigrants when we help workers organize, negotiate and enforce their union contracts . . . to leading the fight for legislative reform over six decades.
Earlier this year, we negotiated with the nation’s growers to create the agricultural provisions of the bipartisan immigration reform bill that passed the Senate last June. The UFW continues to be in the forefront of the push for reform now—from Bakersfield to Washington, D.C.
This day marks a milestone in our decades-long commitment to immigrant workers. We hope there will be many more.
To repeat words from the farm worker movement that President Obama borrowed for his presidential campaign, “¡Si Se Puede!” or “Yes We Can!”
Remarks by Paul F. Chavez, President
Cesar Chavez Foundation
Special Naturalization Ceremony
Congratulatory Remarks
October 8, 2013—La Paz
Let us warmly congratulate the newest citizens of the United States of America and their families. And thank you Regional Director Carolyn Myzuka for presence here and making today’s ceremony so special.
We are exited and honored to host you at the National Chavez Center, part of which is now the Cesar Chavez National Monument.
* * *
A year ago today day at this very place, President Obama honored the son of an immigrant, a man who believed in the greatness of a nation that shares its promise with all immigrants whose sacrifice and hard work sustain its economy and contribute to the strength of its diversity.
Let me explain why holding this ceremony here is so meaningful to us . . . and hopefully to you too.
During the last quarter century of his life, my father was so excited by all the possibilities at La Paz.
He found a place to plan, coordinate and strategize . . . to give new direction to a growing movement.
You see, my father understood the needs of farm workers, who were and still are mostly immigrants, didn’t end at the workplace. He knew most farm workers were also immigrants with needs outside the workplace:
· The lack of quality health care.
· Lack of educational opportunities.
· Lack of decent and affordable housing.
· Lack of civic and political participation.
Thousands of selfless men and women flowed through La Paz over the decades to work for change . . .
. . . to labor for social justice with my father . . .
. . . to learn how to participate in the civic and political affairs of their communities.
He made everyone in the movement believe that their contribution was important. It didn’t matter whether you were a lawyer representing the union in court or a recent immigrant on the picket lines.
* * *
It has been more than 20 years since he passed away. But his life and legacy continue to inspire people from all walks of life, many who never worked on a farm.
Today’s ceremony reflects a new chapter in the life of La Paz. It is still where the movement’s work is done. But it is also where the story of my father and the contributions of thousands of Latinos, immigrants and others who joined La Causa is being shared with all of America through the National Park Service.
My father once said, “We don’t need perfect political systems; we need perfect participation.”
Let that participation begin for you here and now.