States Commemorate Cesar Chavez Day March 31st
Today, Wednesday, March 31, 2010 is a state holiday in California and 8 other states, in commemoration of Cesar Chavez, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW).  Supporters say his work led to numerous improvements in the working and living conditions of farm laborers.
Many parks, cultural centers, libraries, schools, and streets have been named in his honor in cities across the United States.  The city of San Jose recently installed seven signs signs along a five-mile route from Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park downtown San Jose to  Our Lady of Guadalupe Church where Chavez attended Mass and held community meetings, and the site of a tiny bungalow where the Chavez family once lived.
Many, but not all, state government offices, community colleges, and libraries are closed, except for K-12 schools.  Texas also recognizes the day, and it is an optional holiday in Arizona and Colorado.  Title companies in Contra Costa, Fresno, Madera, San Diego, Santa Clara, Colusa, Butte, Del Norte, Mono, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Siskiyou counties are closed today in commemoration of Cesar Chavez Day.
As a kid growing up in “The Valley of Hearts Delight”, I used to pick prunes and apricots in nearby Saratoga orchards.  At the time I had not heard of Cesar Chavez (17 years older than me), but he got started organizing for human rights in the east side of  Santa Clara County.
Today, I am a little bit more aware and am inspired by Chavez, who in Sen. Robert F. Kennedy’s words, was “one of the heroic figures of our time.”  The significance and impact of Cesar’s life transcends any one cause or struggle.  He was a unique and humble leader, in addition to being a great humanitarian and communicator who influenced and inspired millions of Americans to seek social justice and civil rights for the poor and disenfranchised in our society.  Cesar forged a diverse and extraordinary national coalition of students, middle class consumers, trade unionists, religious groups, and minorities.
A strong believer in the principles of nonviolence practiced by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar effectively employed peaceful tactics such as fasts, boycotts, strikes, and pilgrimages. Â Chavez led the historic non-violent movement for farm worker rights and dedicated himself to building a movement of poor working people that extended beyond the fields and into cities and towns across the nation.
San Jose City College is having a performance tonight of Let the Eagle Fly, a musical tribute to Cesar Chavez.
Rick Bonetti | Alain Pinel Realtors | 408-857-8800
