Nevada should recognize Cesar Chavez Day

The plight of migrant farm workers might not resonate much in Nevada, where we don’t exactly have a vibrant agricultural heritage. But next door in California, migrant farm workers are immediately linked with civil rights icon Cesar Chavez, who is right up there with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi in terms of his commitment to the cause and his success in effecting positive change for millions of people.

When he was campaigning for president last year, Barack Obama endorsed the establishment of a Cesar Chavez national holiday. To learn more about this effort and sign a petition supporting such a holiday, go here.

Eight states already recognize Cesar Chavez Day. Despite Nevada’s thin ties to Chavez, a move is afoot to recognize him here as well. Considering the state’s large Latino population, this seems like a natural.

Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen, D-Las Vegas, has introduced Assembly Bill 301, creating Cesar Chavez Day each March 31 (his birthday). Kihuen’s bill is co-sponsored by several other Assembly Democrats, including Speaker Barbara Buckley. A hearing on the bill was scheduled for this morning.

Interestingly, Chavez seems to get more attention in Reno than he does in Las Vegas. For several years now, a Cesar Chavez Celebration has been held in Reno. This year’s festivities are happening Tuesday, March 31, at Circus Circus Reno. For more info, go here.