FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29, 2002
Statewide Service and Learning Mark Second Annual California State Holiday in Honor of Cesar Chavez
United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO Tout Victory for Worker Protections on Chavez Day
Sacramento, CA – On Monday, April 1, California celebrates the second annual Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning in recognition of Cesar E. Chavez’s tireless work for equality, justice and dignity for all Americans. Throughout the state, Californians will engage in programs to serve others in need, improve their communities and usher in new protections for farm workers.
Cesar Chavez Day was signed into law two years ago to ensure that Cesar’s life, work, and values continue to inspire all people. California is now one of five states to celebrate Cesar’s birthday as an official holiday, in addition to being recognized in cities and counties throughout the nation. This year, as a result of the Chavez Day legislation, 64 service and learning programs were awarded $4.2 million so that the state’s youth will carry on Cesar’s legacy. Programs will include school beautifications, environmental projects, community improvements, and outreach to youth.
The United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO (UFW), will commemorate this historic day by ushering in new safety requirements for farm labor vehicles. UFW President Arturo Rodriguez and Assemblymember Dean Florez will join farm workers – including those who have been victims of unsafe farm labor vehicles – for the demonstration of new safety standards for the vehicles. This UFW-backed legislation requires all vehicles used to
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transport farm workers to meet state and federal standards. It requires seats to be bolted to the floor and safety belts for all passengers.
“We want to remind everyone of the new safety protections for farm workers the UFW helped fight to win that are taking effect in California on Cesar Chavez Day,” said Arturo Rodriguez, who succeeded Cesar as UFW president upon his death in 1993.
Almost a decade after the civil rights and labor leader’s passing, his principles and values remain relevant and inspiring for all people. Cesar is best known as the founder and long-time leader of the UFW. However, his work transcended any one movement or cause. He inspired millions of Americans to seek social justice and civil rights for the poor and disenfranchised. He advocated for nonviolent social reform. He was an environmentalist and consumer advocate. Ultimately, he forged an extraordinary and diverse national coalition of students, middle-class consumers, trade unionists, religious groups, women and minorities, including Latinos, Filipinos, Jews, Native Americans, African Americans, and gays and lesbians.
Cesar was born on a small farm in Yuma, Arizona in 1927. He spent his youth working with his family in agricultural fields throughout the Southwest. In 1946, he joined the Navy and served in the Western Pacific during the end of World War II. In 1952, he became a community organizer with the Community Service Organization (CSO). Cesar resigned from the CSO in 1962 to found the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the UFW. He passed away in his sleep on April 23, 1993, a few miles from the farm where he was born.
“Americans, now more than ever, are searching for everyday heroes like my father, who dedicate their lives to serving others,” said Paul Chavez, Chairman of the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. “Cesar Chavez Day provides ordinary people with the extraordinary opportunity to become heroes in their communities by working in service of others.”
The Cesar E. Chavez Foundation was established in 1993 by the Chavez family and friends to educate people about the life and work of this great American civil rights leader. The Foundation’s programming seeks to engage all, particularly youth, in carrying on Cesar’s values and timeless vision for a better world.
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CESAR CHAVEZ DAY, APRIL 1 2002
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
10:00am – 11:00am
Cesar E. Chavez Day of Service and Learning
Sponsored by CSU Sacramento – Cesar Chavez Youth Forum (Official GO SERV project)
Caleb Greenwood School
5457 Carlson Boulevard and Hall Park
Sacramento
Contact: Hugo Chacon (916) 798-2140 cell
Attendees: Fernando Chavez, attorney and son of Cesar Chavez; Arturo S. Rodriguez, President of the UFW; Andres F. Irlando, Executive Director of the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation.
Event: Members of the Chavez family, representatives of the UFW and Chavez Foundation, as well as state and local dignitaries will join students in a morning assembly to kick-off their Chavez Day service project. They will be engaged in clean up efforts along a one-mile stretch of the American River Parkway adopted by the Caleb Greenwood School.
11:00am – 12:00pm
Cesar Chavez Day Ceremony
California State Capitol
Assembly Floor
Sacramento
Attendees: Fernando Chavez, attorney and son of Cesar Chavez; Arturo S. Rodriguez, President of the UFW; Andres F. Irlando, Executive Director of the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation; Esther Uranday, former farm worker and lifelong UFW member; and Lupe Marquez, original member of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee.
Event: The ceremony will include representatives of the Chavez family, the UFW and the Chavez Foundation, in addition to local and state dignitaries. Students will highlight service and learning projects with presentations and performances on the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez.
12:15pm
Press Conference
Farm Labor Bill
California State Capitol
West Steps (10th St. side)
Sacramento
Attendees: Farm worker victims of unsafe farm labor vans will join UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez, Assemblymember Dean Florez, son of Cesar Chavez and attorney Fernando Chavez, Cesar E. Chavez Foundation Executive Director Andres F. Irlando, former farm worker and lifelong UFW member Esther Uranday, and original member of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee Lupe Marquez.
Event: A legal farm labor van will be contrasted with an illegal van on the state Capitol’s west steps to highlight the unsafe conditions that many farm workers experience daily. One van will have wooden benches running parallel in its bed. The other will feature individual seats bolted to the floor with seat belts and other safety precautions required for all California farm labor vehicles as of April 1.
Farm workers will join UFW President Arturo Rodriguez and Assemblymember Dean Florez (D-Shafter), the law’s author, in demonstrating the safety requirements taking effect on Monday across the state. Included will be relatives of 13 tomato pickers who died in an Aug. 9, 1999 accident – in large part because the van in which they were riding had no seats.