Honoring Cesar Chavez

If we really want to honor the United Farm Workers, we should improve our schools, not close them for another paid state holiday (“State Senate OKs Bill to Establish Cesar Chavez Holiday,” Feb. 1). The 23 Democratic state senators who voted for this waste will only raise the public’s awareness that most shoppers can no longer afford to regularly buy grapes. Gov. Gray Davis pledged to improve education or not seek reelection. At least he took a stand. Where were the minority Republican senators who were afraid to vote against this feel-good gesture that will only keep hard-working agricultural workers impoverished and raise the cost of government?

The best way to honor Cesar Chavez is to keep schools for migrant workers open, not closed every March 31.

STEVE MORGAN

El Dorado

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How many controversies must we endure over naming holidays, airports and streets? Let’s scrap all holidays named after people. Instead, how about one three-day weekend per month called “family day” for working people?

Name airports after the city or area where they are located. And rather than naming streets after social-justice figures and heroes that future generations won’t recognize, how about teaching social and civic history to students to inspire them to become active participants in democracy and join causes rather than just admire leaders?

RICHARD BAKER

Beverly Hills