Funding for the opening and first year of operations for the César E. Chávez National Monument is being provided from the American Latino Heritage Fund held by the National Park Foundation.

The monument was officially designated on Monday by President Obama.

Located within the property known as Nuestra Señora Reina de La Paz (Our Lady Queen of Peace), the nonument commemorates the home and final resting place of renowned Latino civil rights activist, César E. Chávez. The property also served as the former headquarters for the labor movement he helped create – the United Farm Workers of America.

The American Latino Heritage Fund dedicated $150,000 needed to fund the monument through its first year. The fund's mission is anchored in preserving the full spectrum of American Latino history in the United States by identifying and celebrating historic sites and places essential to understanding the influence of Latinos’ cultural, economic and civic contributions to the American story.

“The National Park System exists to tell the stories of this nation and its people, and to provide individuals with a place to visit and honor those contributions. Today’s dedication is a seminal moment as we ensure this historic chapter is noted in our American history,” Neil Mulholland, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, said at Monday's ceremony. “The American Latino Heritage Fund is dedicated to ensuring that the contributions of this nation’s Latino community, like César Chávez’s legacy of equality and rights, are honored and protected forever.”

“César Chávez, and his fight for equal rights had a profound impact and lasting legacy for this nation,” said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. “We are proud to welcome this important site into the National Park System and thank the National Park Foundation’s American Latino Heritage Fund for their support and commitment to this important cause.”

While the Latino community accounts for approximately 54 million people in the American population, Latinos represent only 9 percent of national park visitors. The American Latino Heritage Fund is working to improve that statistic by focusing on three core efforts:

* Preserving the full spectrum of American Latino history

To engage the Latino community and stakeholders involved in historic preservation in identifying historic sites and places essential to understanding the impact of Latino heritage in the United States. ALHF funding is applied to working with groups in nominating these sites to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places and/or the National Historic Landmark program.

* Catalyzing a national dialogue that shares a more inclusive story of the American Experience

The American Latino Heritage Fund has created a grant program to help the National Park Service, and other partners, raise the profile of American Latino heritage and history while increasing Latinos’ attendance at national parks.

* Opening channels of engagement for participation at national parks

ALHF is partnering with recreation experts and the National Park Service to identify innovative ways to engage the Latino community in outdoor recreation opportunities that support the cultures and lifestyles of today’s diverse American public.

"By bringing the César E. Chávez National Monument into the national park system, the American Latino Heritage Fund is fulfilling a crucial component in its national role to help preserve American Latino History,” said Midy Aponte, executive director of the American Latino Heritage Fund. “American Latino History is American History. We hope that in honoring the legacy of César Chávez, we can trumpet his story, so that school children know his name and future generations appreciate his struggle.”

The National Park Foundation invites the public to learn more, get involved and support the American Latino Heritage Fund by visiting www.ALHF.org or www.facebook.com/AmericanLatinoHeritageFund