Mar 31, 2008 11:16 am US/Pacific
Lawmakers Push For National Cesar Chavez Holiday
WASHINGTON (AP) ―
Congressional Democrats are renewing their call for a federal holiday honoring the late farmworkers' rights activist Cesar Chavez.
Chavez was born March 31, 1927, and in 2000 California became the first state to create an official state holiday in his honor. Other states including Texas and Arizona also observe the day.
In Washington, D.C., members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and others have pushed for a federal holiday since Chavez's death in 1993.
Legislation by Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joe Baca of California has about three dozen co-sponsors and Baca plans to call for its passage at a news conference Tuesday.
He's getting support from Democratic presidential candidate
Senator Barack Obama who issued a statement backing the holiday.
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