On Tuesday, December 14, we were honored to help celebrate the life of Bishop John Steinbock during his services in Fresno. Bishop Steinbock was a close personal friend and more importantly a real champion for Latinos, farm workers and the poor. Although he led the sprawling Fresno Diocese, the bishop always considered himself a priest first, tending to the needs of the people in his diocese, especially the disadvantaged. We would see him during Mass at our parish church, St. Malachy in Tehachapi. When Cesar Chavez passed away in 1993, Bishop Steinbock designated a small plot of land at the movement’s La Paz, Keene, Calif. headquarters as an official Catholic cemetery so Cesar could legally be laid to rest there. The bishop became very outspoken for immigration reform and farm worker rights, delivering a moving speech in Spanish to farm workers in Delano during a 2006 union organizing drive at Giumarra vineyards. Although we were saddened by his death, we join everyone in recognizing the great legacy of this good and decent man. We were blessed to have had Bishop Steinbock in our corner. May he rest in the peace he has so justly earned.
Arturo S. Rodriguez, President
United Farm Workers of America