SAN FERNANDO : Drive to Honor Chavez Recognized

A group of residents surprised San Fernando City Council member Jose Hernandez by presenting him with a plaque for his drive to make San Fernando the first city in the nation to make Cesar Chavez’s birthday a legal holiday.

“This was one time when there was no quarrel,” said Hernandez, clearly moved by the honor, which took place during a council meeting Monday. “There was a full consensus to honor this American hero. Cesar Chavez represents traditional American values, which are close to our hearts. He believed in the dignity of the working man, and he preached nonviolence in the face of aggression.”

The council voted unanimously last June 7 to make Chavez’s birthday, March 31, a city holiday. Hernandez proposed the idea last year after residents in the city, which is 83% Latino, pushed for a permanent tribute to the late Chicano leader.

Joanne Orijel was chosen to speak on the behalf of the Cesar Chavez Memorial Committee, the group that had originally pushed for the holiday.

“We felt that it was important to bring forward the contribution of Cesar Chavez to human rights,” she said. “We wanted young people to know what this great man stood for, and (Councilman) Hernandez helped us realize that.”