[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1930-S1931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Schiff):
  S. 1215. A bill to establish the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker 
Movement National Historical Park in the States of California and 
Arizona, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to reintroduce the Cesar E. 
Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act. This 
bill would establish the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement 
National Historical Park in California and Arizona to preserve the 
nationally significant sites associated with Cesar Chavez and the farm 
worker movement.
  Today, March 31, we celebrate Cesar Chavez Day, a day to honor and 
celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights and labor leader 
whose impact reverberated throughout California and across the world. 
For Cesar Chavez, it did not matter where you came from or what your 
job was; he believed in your fundamental right to dignity and respect.
  In 2008, with strong bipartisan support, Congress enacted legislation 
directing the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study 
of sites that are significant to the life of Cesar Chavez and the farm 
labor movement in the Western United States. The National Park Service 
evaluated over 100 sites and found that 5 sites were ``nationally 
significant''. Importantly, the Park Service wrote that these 
nationally significant sites depict a distinct and important aspect of 
American history associated with civil rights and labor movements that 
are not adequately represented or protected elsewhere. While the Park 
Service provided five management alternatives to protect these special 
places, they ultimately recommended that Congress establish a national 
historic park that would include several nationally significant sites.
  In 2012, President Obama established the Cesar E. Chavez National 
Monument. While this action was a critical step forward, the national 
monument omits many nationally significant sites and leaves many 
important stories untold. The creation of a national historical park, 
as originally recommended by the Park Service, would allow the National 
Park Service to tell the full story of Cesar Chavez and the farm labor 
movement for the benefit of all Americans.
  This legislation would also require the National Park Service to 
complete a National Historic Trail Study to determine the feasibility 
of creating the Farmworker Peregrinacion National Historic Trail. If 
ultimately designated, this trail would commemorate the 1966 Delano to 
Sacramento March, a major milestone event in the farm labor movement.
  As the son of immigrants from Mexico and the first Latino to 
represent California in the U.S. Senate, I believe the movement Cesar 
Chavez created is as important today as it ever has been. The National 
Park System--which preserves our natural, historical, and cultural 
heritage while offering vital spaces for teaching, learning, and 
outdoor recreation--must paint the full

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mosaic of America. Through the sites preserved by this bill, we will 
ensure that the National Park System preserves the diverse history of 
our Nation that is too often overlooked, ignored, or not represented.
  I want to thank Congressman Ruiz for spearheading this effort with me 
to ensure that our national monuments and historical parks better 
reflect the diversity of America's heritage. I would also like to thank 
Senator Schiff for cosponsoring this legislation with me.
  Today and every day, let's recommit to the work Cesar Chavez began. 
As he would say: ``La Lucha Sigue.'' We must not waver as we keep up 
the fight for justice and equality for all. I look forward to working 
with my colleagues to enact the Cesar E. Chavez National Historical 
Park Act.

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