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Introductory Statement on S. 1215

Speaker
P000145
Subject
P000145
Source
Congressional Record · original
Chamber
senate
Published
Monday, March 31, 2025

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Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S1930-S1931] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Schiff): S. 1215. A bill to establish the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park in the States of California and Arizona, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to reintroduce the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act. This bill would establish the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park in California and Arizona to preserve the nat…

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Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S1930-S1931] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Schiff): S. 1215. A bill to establish the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park in the States of California and Arizona, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to reintroduce the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act. This bill would establish the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park in California and Arizona to preserve the nationally significant sites associated with Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement. Today, March 31, we celebrate Cesar Chavez Day, a day to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights and labor leader whose impact reverberated throughout California and across the world. For Cesar Chavez, it did not matter where you came from or what your job was; he believed in your fundamental right to dignity and respect. In 2008, with strong bipartisan support, Congress enacted legislation directing the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study of sites that are significant to the life of Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement in the Western United States. The National Park Service evaluated over 100 sites and found that 5 sites were ``nationally significant''. Importantly, the Park Service wrote that these nationally significant sites depict a distinct and important aspect of American history associated with civil rights and labor movements that are not adequately represented or protected elsewhere. While the Park Service provided five management alternatives to protect these special places, they ultimately recommended that Congress establish a national historic park that would include several nationally significant sites. In 2012, President Obama established the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument. While this action was a critical step forward, the national monument omits many nationally significant sites and leaves many important stories untold. The creation of a national historical park, as originally recommended by the Park Service, would allow the National Park Service to tell the full story of Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement for the benefit of all Americans. This legislation would also require the National Park Service to complete a National Historic Trail Study to determine the feasibility of creating the Farmworker Peregrinacion National Historic Trail. If ultimately designated, this trail would commemorate the 1966 Delano to Sacramento March, a major milestone event in the farm labor movement. As the son of immigrants from Mexico and the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate, I believe the movement Cesar Chavez created is as important today as it ever has been. The National Park System--which preserves our natural, historical, and cultural heritage while offering vital spaces for teaching, learning, and outdoor recreation--must paint the full [[Page S1931]] mosaic of America. Through the sites preserved by this bill, we will ensure that the National Park System preserves the diverse history of our Nation that is too often overlooked, ignored, or not represented. I want to thank Congressman Ruiz for spearheading this effort with me to ensure that our national monuments and historical parks better reflect the diversity of America's heritage. I would also like to thank Senator Schiff for cosponsoring this legislation with me. Today and every day, let's recommit to the work Cesar Chavez began. As he would say: ``La Lucha Sigue.'' We must not waver as we keep up the fight for justice and equality for all. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the Cesar E. Chavez National Historical Park Act. ____________________

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