Press Release - Thursday, March 30, 2006
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More than 200 local officials, labor leaders, teachers and students to honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez - our country's greatest Hispanic American civil rights leader
CHICAGO -Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn hosted the 3rd Annual Cesar Chavez Serve and Learn Program breakfast celebration and saluted Chavez service learning projects occurring throughout Illinois this March. The educational initiative teaches students the importance of service to others through academic instruction and community-service projects. More than 4,000 participants completed 100 projects across the state.
Chavez's grandson, Cesar L. Chavez, delivered the keynote address to more than 140 guests gathered for the celebration. Quinn was also joined by Jesse Ruiz, Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), local officials, and labor leaders.
"Cesar Chavez's legacy of leadership is one of non-violent, grassroots organizing and service to others," Quinn said. "His dedication and sacrifice improved the lives of thousands of people, and encouraging students to learn by serving their communities is a great way to honor the memory of this American hero."
Students from McKinley Elementary exhibited their 20-by-33-foot replica of Tenochititlan, the Aztec city established in 1325, now known as Mexico City. Quinn also saluted Dundee Crown High School (Carpentersville) for its natural area restoration project and the Macon County Teen Reach Program (Decatur) for their support of Illinois young people living with HIV/AIDS.
Quinn was joined by Alderman Danny Solis (25th), Alderman George Cardenas (12th), Alderman Ray Suarez (31st) and Alderman Ed Burke (14th). Cook County Commissioner Joseph Mario Moreno (7th) and Jesse Rios of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, AFL-CIO Midwest Region were also in attendance.
During the week of March 31 (Chavez's birthday), students and teachers throughout Illinois are performing a range of curriculum-based activities to celebrate Chavez's life, including: murals, food drives, commemorative marches, anti-gang workshops, drama performances and biographical collages. Visit www.ServeAndLearn.org for more information.
"This genuine American hero spent a lifetime improving the conditions of farm workers and struggling for social justice for immigrants, the impoverished, and workers everywhere," Quinn said. "He is a role model for anyone interested in public service, and I salute the students across the Land of Lincoln that are following his example and serving others."
Working with the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Chicago Public Schools, more than 100 projects and 3,800 students are participating in the 2006 program organized by the Lt. Governor's Office.
Chavez was a civil rights crusader who dedicated his life to improving the standard of living, wages and working conditions of farm workers. A skilled laborer organizer, he founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers Union (UFW).
His boycotts of grape and lettuce producers focused public attention on farm workers' inhumane conditions and earned him international attention. He was also a war veteran who joined the U.S. Navy in 1945 and served in the western Pacific at the end of WWII.
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