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President Obama Expected To Designate César E. Chávez National Monument On October 8

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President Obama is expected to be in California next Monday to announce the establishment of the César E. Chávez National Monument.

The monument, which the president will designate through the authority bestowed by the Antiquities Act, "will be established on the property known as Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz (Our Lady Queen of Peace), or La Paz," according to a release from the White House. "The La Paz property is recognized worldwide for its historic link to civil rights icon César Estrada Chávez and the farm worker movement. The site served as the national headquarters of the United Farm Workers (UFW) as well as the home and workplace of César Chávez and his family from the early 1970s until Chávez’ death in 1993, and includes his grave site which will also be part of the monument."

“César Chávez gave a voice to poor and disenfranchised workers everywhere,” the president said in prepared remarks. “La Paz was at the center of some of the most significant civil rights moments in our nation’s history, and by designating it a national monument, Chávez’ legacy will be preserved and shared to inspire generations to come.”

From this rural headquarters in the Tehachapi Mountains of Kern County, California, Chávez played a central role in achieving basic worker protections for hundreds of thousands of farmworkers across the country, from provisions ensuring drinking water was provided to workers in the fields, to steps that helped limit workers’ exposure to dangerous pesticides, to helping to establish basic minimum wages and health care access for farm workers.

The National Chávez Center, in consultation with the United Farm Workers of America, the César Chávez Foundation and members of César Chávez’s family, offered to donate certain properties at La Paz to the federal government for the purpose of establishing a national monument commemorating César E. Chávez and the farmworker movement. This designation will represent the culmination of a process that has been under way for several years.

The César E. Chávez National Monument will encompass property that includes a Visitors’ Center containing César Chávez’s office as well as the UFW legal aid offices, the home of César and Helen Chávez, the Chávez Memorial Garden containing Chavez’s grave site, and additional buildings and structures at the La Paz campus.

The monument, which will be managed by the National Park Service in consultation with the National Chávez Center and the César Chávez Foundation, will be the fourth National Monument designated by President Obama using the Antiquities Act. He previously designated Fort Monroe National Monument in Virginia, a former Army post integral to the history of slavery, the Civil War, and the U.S. military; Fort Ord National Monument in California, a former military base that is a world-class destination for outdoor recreation; and Chimney Rock, which is located in the San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado, and offers a spectacular landscape rich in history and Native American culture.

Comments

Can't wait for the knee-jerk reactions from the self-righteous Right (I'm a success so I deserve it, and I'm not my brother's keeper either) when (if) WEB Du Bois gets a national historic site.


justinh:

As savvy leaders, Brandon and Armey distribute the Alinsky playbook so their party can recognize - and possible use against the opposition - the tactics/strategy of the marxist left.


Hmmmm. I thought the GOP was nearly 100% a coalition of special interest groups and wealthy individuals.

Whatever. It's all in the eye of the beholder.

But I sure hope some of this hateful division we're witnessing in the country will settle down after the election is over. But it probably won't if Obama wins again. Too many special interests have too many special interests to lose if he does.


Kind of expanded from traditional special interests concerns when you consider the character and soul of the current occupant. Don't think he's been camping on any of his vacations. Silver tongued for sure but so much going on behind the curtains. Just replace Hansel and Gretal with the American people (some anyway) and it'd be about right. Yes, I will remain Anon. Mr. B.


Yeah - interest groups and pawns who think that trickle-down will finally work to their benefit. Also, witness comments in this forum, it collects armchair ideologues. That earlier statement attempting to redefine the GOP was jaw-droppingly wrong.


That earlier statement attempting to redefine the GOP was jaw-droppingly wrong.

Perhaps you could be more specific about the "earlier statement" and tell us how it was wrong.


Rick, this guy must be on someone's payroll as a troll.

Either that or they have fracked water in his neighborhood. In any event, he sure is amusing.


Lee - still going with your dismissive comments and no substance.


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