BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT:
Title
Adopt a Resolution Declaring March 26 Through April 1, 2023, as a Week of Public Service in Honor of César Chávez.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution DECLARING MARCH 26 THROUGH APRIL 1, 2023, AS A WEEK OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN HONOR OF CÉSAR CHÁVEZ.
Body
SUMMARY:
Each year, Californians celebrate the life and legacy of César Chávez, an American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist, who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (later the United Farm Workers Union, [UFW]). Every year since 2014, the United States also observes March 31 as César Chávez Day, a federal commemorative holiday.
Celebrating his legacy gives us all an opportunity to reflect upon the values that César Chávez applied in his work: service to others, sacrifice, self-determination, non-violence, innovation, environmental protection, and community. Chávez and UFW achieved the following:
• The first collective bargaining agreement between farm workers and growers in the continental United States.
• The first union contracts requiring rest periods, clean drinking water, hand washing facilities, and protective clothing against pesticide exposure.
• The first ban on pesticide spraying while workers were in the fields.
• The first ban on DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) and other dangerous pesticides.
• The first and only functioning pension plan for retired farm workers.
In recognition of the life and work of César Chávez, the Organization for Latino Affairs (OLA), a Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) Employee Resource Group, will lead activities to educate and promote his legacy among Valley Water employees.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There is no Environmental Justice impact associated with this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have the potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Aaron Baker, 408-630-2135
Carlos Orellana, 408-630-2755