Remarks by Paul F. Chavez, President
Cesar Chavez Foundation
Cesar E. Chavez National Monument Observance
October 8, 2012—La Paz, Keene, Calif.
Welcome. On behalf of my mother, Helen Chavez, my brothers and sisters, and all of us in the farm worker movement, thank you for being part of this historic occasion.
Forty-three years ago my dad told my mom, “Helen, I found you this beautiful place in the mountains that will be our home.”
He was so excited because of all the possibilities. He found a place to plan and strategize and give direction to a growing movement. He found a place where that movement could train farm workers to run their own union—at an educational center he set up in this very building.
La Paz was a place where the long, hard, grueling work of the movement went on. Thousands of selfless men and women flowed through La Paz over the decades to labor for social justice with my father.
But it was more than that. Cesar Chavez’s life was filled with conflict. So for my dad and other movement activists, La Paz was also a spiritual harbor offering respite from tough and bitter struggles in the fields and cities.
It has been nearly 20 years since my dad passed away. But his life and legacy continue to inspire farm workers and millions of Latinos and people from all walks of life who never worked on a farm.
Today’s dedication marks a new chapter in the life of La Paz. It will continue to be a place where the movement’s work is done. But now the story of my father and the contributions of thousands of Latinos, immigrants and others who joined La Causa will be shared with all of America through the National Park Service.
So thank all of you for coming to bear witness. Thank you President Obama for making this day happen. And thank you Secretary Ken Salazar for your relentless efforts to finally ensure that the story of Latinos—and farm workers—is also included in telling the story of America.
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