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Honoring a True American Hero: Cesar E. Chavez
School Board Celebrates March 31 Birthday
LOS ANGELES (March 10, 2020) – The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education today unanimously approved a resolution recognizing March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day, and to honor the life, and legacy of this outstanding Mexican-American leader. Schools will be closed on Friday, April 3 in observance of this holiday. All board members signed on to the resolution.
The resolution directs the superintendent to encourage “students, staff, school administrators, teachers and community members to implement service-learning projects based on his life, work and values.”
“Cesar Chavez changed lives, and this nation,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “Teaching our students about his work will make sure progress continues.”
“I fully support the day of Cesar E. Chavez Legacy as we honor the life of Cesar E. Chavez on March 31,” Board President Dr. Richard Vladovic said. “We recognize his many contributions to justice and equity, as he empowered farm workers to fight for their working rights.”
“We celebrate United Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez for his courage and tenacity in unmasking the inhumane conditions faced by farm workers,” Board Vice President Jackie Goldberg said. “His legendary battles not only improved conditions in the fields, but also created a generation of social justice activists who remain active and engaged to this day. His leadership, and that of Dolores Huerta, continues to inspire people of all ages.”
“Cesar Chavez, the personification of a freedom fighter, won dignity and fairer conditions for farm workers, but respected the rights of all,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “He said, ‘Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.’ Celebrating his birthday holiday is an appropriate tribute.”
“We honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and all of the activists in the front lines who fought for their community,” Board Member Mónica García said. “We stand on their shoulders and move forward as we continue their legacy by joining our hands and voices for a stronger, better and brighter world.”
“Let us honor the life and legacy of Cesar E. Chavez, a Mexican-American labor leader, a passionate advocate for farmworkers, justice and equality for all,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said. “His social justice work empowered many minority workers and changed our world for the better. Let’s continue our work remembering one of his famous quotes, ‘We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community - and this nation.’”
“It is fitting that we dedicate a districtwide day of service to Cesar Chavez—a man who devoted his life to improving the working conditions and fighting for the rights of others,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “His constant fight for human rights is more important now than ever and I’m grateful for the movement that Chavez built for us all to continue.”
“Cesar Chavez’s impact extends far beyond the lives of migrant farm workers in California,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “His legacy to the Latino Civil Rights movement and the labor movement lives on, and his work serves as a model for civil rights organizers today. I’m so happy Los Angeles Unified is empowering students to explore, celebrate, and embody his life and legacy.”
“Future generations will learn about the amazing contributions that Cesar Chavez made for society through the celebration of this day and will hopefully inspire our future leade