Barack Obama calls for National Holiday for Cesar E. Chavez

April 1, 2008 Washington DC--Evelina Alarcon, Executive Director of Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday welcomed the backing for a Cesar Chavez national holiday from Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama who issued a statement on Cesar Chavez’s birthday Monday, March 31, 2008.

“We at Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday appreciate the backing of a national holiday for Cesar Chavez from presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama. That support is crucial because it takes the signature of a President to establish the holiday along with the Congress’s approval,” stated Evelina Alarcon. “It is also encouraging that Senator Hillary Clinton who is a great admirer of Cesar Chavez acknowledged him on his birthday. We hope that she too will soon state her support for a Cesar Chavez national holiday.”

Alarcon’s remarks were part of a statement made at a press conference at our nation’s Capitol on April 1st called by Chair of the Hispanic Congressional Caucus Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA) in support of HR 76, a resolution he authored with 62 Co-Sponsors that encourages the establishment of a Cesar Chavez national holiday by the Congress.

Barack Obama’s statement for a Cesar Chavez national holiday:

"Chavez left a legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and a civil rights leader. And his cause lives on. As farmworkers and laborers across America continue to struggle for fair treatment and fair wages, we find strength in what Cesar Chavez accomplished so many years ago. And we should honor him for what he's taught us about making America a stronger, more just, and more prosperous nation. That's why I support the call to make Cesar Chavez's birthday a national holiday. It's time to recognize the contributions of this American icon to the ongoing efforts to perfect our union."

Senator Barack Obama March 31, 2008.

Co-chair Carlos Santana Helps Kick Off
Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday Campaign

Events in over 65 Cities in 30 States

Los Angeles, CA – Music legend and National Co-Chair Carlos Santana joined with civil rights, labor leaders and Los Angeles officials representing the Cesar E. Chavez national holiday coalition to announce the launching of a nationwide effort to win a national holiday for Cesar Chavez, founder and former President of the United Farm Workers (UFW) on March 31, his birthday.

"Cesar Chavez was a national treasure and he deserves a national holiday," Carlos Santana said. "As a labor activist and a leader of the United Farm Workers, his voice for migrant farm workers and his tireless leadership helped focus national attention on their horrible working conditions which ultimately led to improvements. He is an icon for everyone and someone who we should honor with a national holiday."

Carlos Santana has joined celebrities Martin Sheen and Edward James Olmos as National Co-Chairs of the national holiday effort. Santana demonstrated support for the California state holiday and Day of Service and Learning for Chavez by allowing the gathering of signatures on petitions at his Supernatural Tour Concerts in 1999 where thousands signed.

In the coming weeks, organizations will hold local events in over 65 cities in 30 states calling upon the Congress to establish the holiday and a day of service and learning for Chavez. Parades, marches, petition gathering, forums, concerts, festivals, faith based and other events will echo Si se Puede! Yes We Can, the slogan learned from Cesar Chavez to state their determination to win national recognition for Chavez.

“The drive for a Cesar Chavez national holiday has won tremendous enthusiasm generating participation from a wide range of organizations, elected officials, and celebrities representing all races and nationalities in every region of the nation including cities and states that have never celebrated Cesar’s birthday before,” said Evelina Alarcon, Executive Director of Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday, the organization spearheading this effort.

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Carlos Santana, Martin Sheen And Edward James Olmos
Agree To Co-Chair Effort To Win National Holiday For Farm Worker Leader Cesar E. Chavez

Support Action for Cesar Chavez’s birthday March 31, 2008

LOS ANGELES- The Los Angeles-based public benefit organization Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday is proud to announce that three of our nation’s top entertainers, GRAMMY® Award winning musician Carlos Santana, and acclaimed actors Martin Sheen and Edward James Olmos, have agreed to serve as National Co-Chairs of the effort to win a national holiday for the late founder and president of the United Farm Workers, Cesar E. Chavez, to take place on his birthday March 31.

To read full release click here. For information on March 31 actions click here.

Santana, Sheen and Olmos supported Chavez during the historic movement to win rights for farm workers in California in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Their participation in the current effort to win national recognition for Chavez coincides with the organizing of national actions and events in support of the national holiday to be held on March 31 of this year. Organizations in forty cities in twenty five States have already agreed to hold events.

“Carlos Santana, Martin Sheen and Edward James Olmos give the national holiday effort a tremendous boost and inspiration,” said Evelina Alarcon, Executive Director of Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday, the organization spearheading the effort to win national recognition for Cesar Chavez. “These internationally recognized entertainers bring their own unique history of support for Cesar Chavez, farm workers rights and social and economic justice.”

Press release issued Tuesday, January 29, 2008.

To read full release click here. For information on March 31 actions click here.

A National Call for 2008 Action for a
Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday

March, Rally, Gather Together on Cesar Chavez’s Birthday March 31, 2008!
So far Action/Events will be held in 40 Cities in 25 States

Learn More | Sign Up Today!

¡Si se puede!

Cesar E. Chavez was one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. His courage, dedication, and historic accomplishments deserve national recognition. Tens of thousands of people won the first legal holiday for Cesar Chavez in California in the face of great obstacles. With your help we will win national recognition for Cesar Chavez. Every person can make a difference by getting involved in the March 31, 2008 actions today. Cesar Chavez taught us “¡Sí se puede!” (We can do it). With your help, Cesar Chavez's life will be celebrated across our country.

Don't forget to sign the petition for a national holiday for Cesar Chavez. Even if you have signed this petition elsewhere, please sign on our site to insure that we have your name when we turn in the petitions.

¡Sí se puede!

Evelina Alarcon, Executive Director