Holiday for Whom?
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* Re “A Date to Remember,” Aug. 19.
On Aug. 18, Gov. Gray Davis signed into law a historic bill declaring March 31 a state holiday marking Cesar Chavez’s birthday.
As a Latino, I am very proud to finally see the first American holiday honoring a Latino leader. Chavez struggled on behalf of Latinos and immigrant people who harvest the nation’s crops. He also struggled for years trying to unionize laborers and, in 1960, he led a nationwide grape boycott.
I thank state Sen. Richard Polanco for sponsoring and introducing the bill that makes March 31 a state holiday for my hero (and hero to millions of people throughout the world), but I want to see that not only the 210,000 state employees get the paid day off, but also the farm workers. Otherwise, what is the point?
If Chavez were alive today, he would be very happy and proud, but he would also make sure that March 31 is a paid holiday for the farm workers as well.
MARIO MATUTE
Director
Pacoima Workforce
Development Initiative
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