Cesar E. Chavez Special Resource Study Looking for
Sites in Arizona, California to be Listed as 'Historic'
Sites in Arizona, California to be Listed as 'Historic'
Santa Rita Center in Phoenix likely among sites to be considered.
Press Release by U.S. Department of Interior View Photo Essay Watch Video
Washington. D.C. April 1, 2010 – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the
National Park Service will begin a “special resource study” of sites that are significant to the life of
César E. Chávez and the farm labor movement in the western United States. Secretary Salazar and
Secretary Hilda L. Solis from the Department of Labor attended a private meeting with President
Obama, members of César Chávez’ family, and the United Farm Workers yesterday, which would
have marked the 83rd Birthday of the famed Civil Rights leader.
“The life of César Chávez and people like him who have worked to make this country a better, more
perfect union deserve to be recognized as part of the history of America,” said Secretary Salazar.
“As stewards of the history of this great nation we look forward to working with the Chávez Family,
the United Farm Workers, and communities throughout California and Arizona to determine how
best to preserve this great legacy.”
“César Chávez changed the course of history for Latinos and farm workers, empowering them to
fight for fair wages, health care coverage, pension benefits, housing improvements, pesticide and
health regulations, and countless other protections for their health and well-being,” said Secretary
Solis. “As a farm worker himself, he had a great connection to the natural environment. We still
have a lot to learn from his legacy – that is why I was proud to work with Secretary Salazar in
Congress on this issue and I am delighted that the Department of the Interior will begin to study
significant sites in the life of this great American hero.”
“The National Park Service is extremely interested in stories that are important to the American
experience,” said Director of the National Park Service Jon Jarvis. “With the beginning of the Chávez
Special Resource Study we have the opportunity to examine César Chávez and the national farm
workers’ movement, an important story that has not fully been told.”
The purpose of the Chávez Special Resource Study is to identify important sites related to the life
and work of César E. Chávez, as well as the farm labor movement in the western United States,
and evaluate their national significance. The US Congress directed the National Park Service to
conduct this study through legislation enacted in May of 2008 (P.L. 110-229 §325, 122STAT. 778).
Secretary Salazar and Secretary Solis authored the original legislation while serving in the Senate
and House, respectively.
The legislation directs the National Park Service (NPS) to study significant sites in Arizona, California
and other states to determine:
1. appropriate methods for preserving and interpreting the sites, and
2. whether any of the sites meet the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or
designation as a National Historic Landmark.
The NPS is also directed to consider whether the sites are nationally significant, whether they are
suitable and feasible for consideration as a unit of the national park system, and to evaluate a
range of possible management alternatives, including management by organizations other than the
NPS. The legislation specifically directs the NPS to consult with the César E. Chávez Foundation, the
United Farm Workers, state and local historical associations and societies, and state historic
preservation offices. The final product of the study will be a report to Congress on the study
findings and recommendations.
In June 2009 Secretary Salazar also established a new departmental Office of Youth in the Great
Outdoors to catalyze youth employment and development programs throughout the Department.
The Chávez Study, through a partnership with California State University Fullerton is one of many
projects youth are spearheading for the Department. Due to her extensive experience managing
youth programs throughout the country, César Chávez’ granddaughter, Julie Chávez Rodriguez,
was appointed yesterday as the new Director for the Office of Youth in the Great Outdoors.
Julie Chávez Rodriguez was recently appointed as the new Director for the Youth in the Great
Outdoors office at the Department of the Interior. Julie most recently served as the Deputy Press
Secretary for the Department, supporting communications and outreach efforts on a variety of
issues, including outreach to the Latino community and Spanish-language media outlets. Prior to
joining the Department Julie served as the Director of Programs for the César E. Chávez
Foundation, a non-profit organization, founded in 1993 by the Chávez family to educate the nation
about his life and work. In 2001, she helped launch the Chávez Foundation’s service-learning
programs across the United States, specifically the Educating the Heart Professional Development
Program and the Chávez After School Service Clubs. In the nine years she spent with the
organization, Julie distinguished herself as an effective program manager, teacher trainer, and
advocate for youth development programming. She has established school and community based
partnerships in major cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Phoenix, and helped develop
curricula widely used in school districts throughout the country.
Julie was a Fellow in the National Service-Learning Emerging Leaders Initiative sponsored by the
Kellogg Foundation, the National Service-Learning Partnership, and the National Youth Leadership
Council. She has received numerous awards and appointments for her work in the field of
education and youth development, including the Stellar Award which was awarded in March 2009
at the 20th Annual National Service-Learning Conference in Nashville, TN.
National Park Service will begin a “special resource study” of sites that are significant to the life of
César E. Chávez and the farm labor movement in the western United States. Secretary Salazar and
Secretary Hilda L. Solis from the Department of Labor attended a private meeting with President
Obama, members of César Chávez’ family, and the United Farm Workers yesterday, which would
have marked the 83rd Birthday of the famed Civil Rights leader.
“The life of César Chávez and people like him who have worked to make this country a better, more
perfect union deserve to be recognized as part of the history of America,” said Secretary Salazar.
“As stewards of the history of this great nation we look forward to working with the Chávez Family,
the United Farm Workers, and communities throughout California and Arizona to determine how
best to preserve this great legacy.”
“César Chávez changed the course of history for Latinos and farm workers, empowering them to
fight for fair wages, health care coverage, pension benefits, housing improvements, pesticide and
health regulations, and countless other protections for their health and well-being,” said Secretary
Solis. “As a farm worker himself, he had a great connection to the natural environment. We still
have a lot to learn from his legacy – that is why I was proud to work with Secretary Salazar in
Congress on this issue and I am delighted that the Department of the Interior will begin to study
significant sites in the life of this great American hero.”
“The National Park Service is extremely interested in stories that are important to the American
experience,” said Director of the National Park Service Jon Jarvis. “With the beginning of the Chávez
Special Resource Study we have the opportunity to examine César Chávez and the national farm
workers’ movement, an important story that has not fully been told.”
The purpose of the Chávez Special Resource Study is to identify important sites related to the life
and work of César E. Chávez, as well as the farm labor movement in the western United States,
and evaluate their national significance. The US Congress directed the National Park Service to
conduct this study through legislation enacted in May of 2008 (P.L. 110-229 §325, 122STAT. 778).
Secretary Salazar and Secretary Solis authored the original legislation while serving in the Senate
and House, respectively.
The legislation directs the National Park Service (NPS) to study significant sites in Arizona, California
and other states to determine:
1. appropriate methods for preserving and interpreting the sites, and
2. whether any of the sites meet the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or
designation as a National Historic Landmark.
The NPS is also directed to consider whether the sites are nationally significant, whether they are
suitable and feasible for consideration as a unit of the national park system, and to evaluate a
range of possible management alternatives, including management by organizations other than the
NPS. The legislation specifically directs the NPS to consult with the César E. Chávez Foundation, the
United Farm Workers, state and local historical associations and societies, and state historic
preservation offices. The final product of the study will be a report to Congress on the study
findings and recommendations.
In June 2009 Secretary Salazar also established a new departmental Office of Youth in the Great
Outdoors to catalyze youth employment and development programs throughout the Department.
The Chávez Study, through a partnership with California State University Fullerton is one of many
projects youth are spearheading for the Department. Due to her extensive experience managing
youth programs throughout the country, César Chávez’ granddaughter, Julie Chávez Rodriguez,
was appointed yesterday as the new Director for the Office of Youth in the Great Outdoors.
Julie Chávez Rodriguez was recently appointed as the new Director for the Youth in the Great
Outdoors office at the Department of the Interior. Julie most recently served as the Deputy Press
Secretary for the Department, supporting communications and outreach efforts on a variety of
issues, including outreach to the Latino community and Spanish-language media outlets. Prior to
joining the Department Julie served as the Director of Programs for the César E. Chávez
Foundation, a non-profit organization, founded in 1993 by the Chávez family to educate the nation
about his life and work. In 2001, she helped launch the Chávez Foundation’s service-learning
programs across the United States, specifically the Educating the Heart Professional Development
Program and the Chávez After School Service Clubs. In the nine years she spent with the
organization, Julie distinguished herself as an effective program manager, teacher trainer, and
advocate for youth development programming. She has established school and community based
partnerships in major cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Phoenix, and helped develop
curricula widely used in school districts throughout the country.
Julie was a Fellow in the National Service-Learning Emerging Leaders Initiative sponsored by the
Kellogg Foundation, the National Service-Learning Partnership, and the National Youth Leadership
Council. She has received numerous awards and appointments for her work in the field of
education and youth development, including the Stellar Award which was awarded in March 2009
at the 20th Annual National Service-Learning Conference in Nashville, TN.
Eduardo Barraza is a journalist and writer,
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
| M U L T I M E D I A By Eduardo Barraza |
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| barriozona |
| HISTORY IS ABOUT TO CHANGE Grassroots Journalism |
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Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues in Phoenix, Arizona
CESAR E. CHAVEZ WAS HERE The
Santa Rita Center is a Chicano landmark
in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1972, the farm
workers' organizer fasted there.
Santa Rita Center is a Chicano landmark
in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1972, the farm
workers' organizer fasted there.
SANTA RITA CENTER The purpose of
the Chávez Special Resource Study is
to identify important sites related to
the life and work of César E. Chávez,
as well as the farm labor movement
the Chávez Special Resource Study is
to identify important sites related to
the life and work of César E. Chávez,
as well as the farm labor movement