Keep Me in the Loop!

KRQE (NM): House passes bill to create holiday for Cesar Chavez, Sen. Dennis Chavez

Politics – Government

House passes bill to create holiday for Cesar Chavez, Sen. Dennis Chavez

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – A push to create a state holiday honoring Civil Rights icons Cesar Chavez and Sen. Dennis Chavez passed overwhelmingly in the New Mexico House.

Representatives voted 47 to 12 in favor of the bill, introduced by Albuquerque Rep. Miguel Garcia.

Cesar Chavez Day is already observed in April, recognizing the labor leader’s work improving conditions for farm workers. This bill would make that a legal holiday.

The holiday would also honor New Mexico’s own Dennis Chavez, the first Hispanic lawmaker elected to a full term in the U.S. Senate.

The proposal now heads to the State Senate.