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.
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Comments
justinh:
1. a constitutionalist is a person who believe in strict interpretation of the Constitution.
2. Nixon, Reagan, and Bush I did not use the Antiquities Act. Eisenhower established a science site (Edison) and C&O Canal, a multi-themed monument, and modified several existing sites mostly in the West. Bush II established the African Burial Ground monument and a marine monument in Hawaii. I would answer your question by saying that the Republican party is a party based on philosophy rather than a coalition of interests groups; therefore, there is little emphasis or overriding need to view the NPS as a collection of sites based on race, class, sex or other socio-economic or political division.
Yes - Congress led by Lacey and Dolliver. Two Republicans.
A Republican. John Lacey (R-IA) wrote the Antiquities Act. It was passed by the 59th Congress, which had a Republican majority.
I think we need some poli-sci 101 here. Adam Brandon and Dick Armey distribute Alinsky's Rules for Radicals as a guidebook for conservative activists. Brandon and Armey--notorious Marxists!
Isn't it true that Cha'vez supportive of immigration control? Might be wrong but I believe so.
Anon4:1
Only after the illegals began to cross his picket line. Early on he encouraged illegal immigration ( it increased his base - sound familiar?) and fought against,legislation that would have fined companies for hiring illegals.
Legislation that we still need today.
Yes, Chavez did oppose illegal immigration. In 1973 the United Farm Workers set up what they called a "wet line" along the border to stop illegals from entering. They were afraid the illegals could be used by farm owners to undercut efforts of the UFW.
Now, illegal workers hired by many U.S. farms have succeeded in doing that. They have also undercut legal workers in other industries, too, such as construction. But Congress refuses to pass any laws making hiring of illegals illegal. Too much pressure from powerful Congressional friends (contributors) who would see their profit margins undercut if they had to pay decent wages.
@ Roadranger
Exactly what I meant.
Which is why I am more aligned (but not perfectly aligned) with the Republicans. Basing any decision on "race, class, sex or other socio-economic or political division" rather than merit is discrimination whether you are talking about National Parks, jobs, loans, housing et al. And that works BOTH ways.