By Dick Meister
Dick Meister, a veteran San Francisco journalist, is co-author of “A Long
Time Coming: The Struggle to Unionize America’s Farm Workers.”
It’s way past time that Congress declared the March 31 birthdate of Cesar
Chavez a national holiday. President Obama agrees. So do the millions of
people who are expected to sign petitions being circulated by the United
Farm Workers, the union founded by Chavez.
California, seven other states and dozens of cities already observe Chavez’
birthdate as an official holiday – and for very good reason. As the UFW
notes, “He inspired farm workers and millions of people who never worked on
a farm to commit themselves to social, economic and civil rights activism.
Cesar’s legacy continues to educate, inspire and empower people from all
walks of life.”