[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 126, 112th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8884--OCT. 8, 2012

Proclamation 8884 of October 8, 2012

Establishment of the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The property in Keene, California, known as Nuestra Senora Reina de la
Paz (Our Lady Queen of Peace) (La Paz), is recognized for its historic
significance to Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm worker movement. Cesar
Chavez is one of the most revered civil rights leaders in the history of
the United States. From humble beginnings in Yuma, Arizona, to the
founding of the United Farm Workers (UFW) movement, Cesar Chavez knew
firsthand the hard work of farm workers in the fields across the United
States and their contribution to feeding the Nation. He saw and
experienced the difficult conditions and hardships that confronted farm
worker families. And through his hard work, perseverance, and personal
sacrifice, he dedicated his life to the struggle for respect and dignity
for the farm workers of America.
His faith, his passion for nonviolence rooted in the teachings of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mohandas Gandhi, and his inspirational
leadership are best reflected in his own eloquent words: ``When the man
who feeds the world by toiling in the fields is himself deprived of the
basic rights of feeding, sheltering, and caring for his own family, the
whole community of man is sick.''
La Paz served as the national headquarters of the UFW and the home and
workplace of Cesar Chavez, his family, union members, and supporters. It
remains the symbol of the movement's most significant achievements and
its expanding horizons.
In 1972, the UFW made La Paz its official national headquarters. With
existing residential buildings, administrative spaces, maintenance
shops, and supporting infrastructure from its former use as a
tuberculosis sanatorium, the property supported a new community almost
immediately. Cesar Chavez and his family moved to the property, as did a
fluctuating population of union employees, members, and supporters.
From the 1970s through Cesar Chavez death in 1993, La Paz was at the
forefront of the American farm worker movement. Thousands of farm
workers and their supporters from California and across the country
streamed through La Paz to meet with movement leaders, learn from other
farm workers, devise strategies, negotiate contracts, receive training,
volunteer their time, and celebrate meaningful events. Throughout this
period, La Paz became a symbol of the accomplishments and broadening of
the American farm worker movement.
At La Paz, members of the farm worker movement celebrated such victories
as the passage of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, the
first Federal law recognizing farm workers' collective bargaining
rights. At La Paz, the UFW grew and expanded from its early roots as a
union for farm workers to become a national voice for the poor and
disenfranchised.
For Cesar Chavez, La Paz also provided the respite he needed to continue
serving the farm worker movement. His attachment to La Paz as

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both a refuge and a place where he engaged in his life's work grew stronger
over the years.
La Paz was a place where he and other farm worker leaders strategized
and reflected on challenges the union was facing, celebrated victories
and mourned losses, and watched the union endure and modernize. The
building that is now the Visitor Center contains Cesar Chavez's office
(which still houses original furnishings and artifacts), as well as the
UFW legal aid offices. La Paz also was a place where he watched his
children grow up, marry, and begin to raise children of their own. The
home of Cesar and Helen Chavez remains at La Paz. That Cesar Chavez
wished to be buried at La Paz upon his death is an enduring testament to
the strength of his association with the property. The Chavez Memorial
Garden contains the grave site of Cesar Chavez. Other buildings and
structures at the La Paz campus, which is listed in the National
Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark,
are recognized as contributing to its historic significance.
This site marks the extraordinary achievements and contributions to the
history of the United States made by Cesar Chavez and the farm worker
movement that he led with great vision and fortitude. La Paz reflects
his conviction that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
Whereas section 2 of the Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225, 16 U.S.C.
431) (the ``Antiquities Act''), authorizes the President, in his
discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks,
historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or
scientific interest that are situated upon the lands owned or controlled
by the Government of the United States to be national monuments, and to
reserve as a part thereof parcels of land, the limits of which in all
cases shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper
care and management of the objects to be protected;
Whereas Nuestra Senora Reina de la Paz was designated a National
Historic Landmark on October 8, 2012, establishing its national
significance based on its association with Cesar Chavez and the farm
worker movement that he led;
Whereas the National Chavez Center and the Cesar Chavez Foundation have
expressed support for establishing a unit of the National Park System at
La Paz;
Whereas the National Chavez Center has donated to the United States
certain lands and interests in lands at La Paz (including fee title in
the Visitor Center that contains the office of Cesar Chavez and legal
aid offices, Cesar Chavez's home, and the Memorial Garden that includes
the grave of Cesar Chavez, as well as an easement for the protection of
and access to other historically significant buildings, structures, and
associated landscapes located adjacent to the fee lands) for
administration by the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) in
accordance with the provisions of the Antiquities Act and other
applicable laws;
Whereas it is in the public interest to preserve the historic objects at
La Paz;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by the authority vested in me by section 2 of the Antiquities
Act hereby proclaim, set apart, and reserve as the Cesar E.

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Chavez National Monument (monument) the objects identified above and all lands
and interests in lands owned or controlled by the Government of the
United States within the boundaries described on the accompanying map,
which is attached to and forms a part of this proclamation. These
reserved Federal lands and interests in lands encompass approximately
10.5 acres, together with appurtenant easements for all necessary
purposes, which is the smallest area compatible with the proper care and
management of the objects to be protected.
All Federal lands and interests in lands within the boundaries of this
monument are hereby appropriated and withdrawn from all forms of entry,
location, selection, sale, leasing, or other disposition under the
public lands laws, including withdrawal from location, entry, and patent
under the mining laws, and from disposition under all laws relating to
mineral and geothermal leasing.
The establishment of this monument is subject to valid existing rights.
Lands and interests in lands within the monument's boundaries not owned
or controlled by the United States shall be reserved as part of the
monument upon acquisition of ownership or control by the United States.
The Secretary shall manage the monument through the National Park
Service, pursuant to applicable legal authorities, consistent with the
purposes and provisions of this proclamation. For the purpose of
preserving, restoring, and enhancing the public visitation and
appreciation of the monument, the Secretary shall prepare a management
plan for the monument within 3 years of the date of this proclamation.
The management plan will ensure that the monument fulfills the following
purposes for the benefit of present and future generations: (1) to
preserve the historic resources; (2) to commemorate the life and work of
Cesar Chavez; and (3) to interpret the struggles and achievements of the
broader farm worker movement throughout the United States. The
management plan shall, among other provisions, set forth the desired
relationship of the monument to other related resources, programs, and
organizations at La Paz, as well as at other sites significant to the
farm worker movement, such as the Forty Acres National Historic Landmark
site and the Filipino Community Hall in Delano, California, the Santa
Rita Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and McDonnell Hall in San Jose,
California, including march routes. The management planning process
shall provide for maximum public involvement, including consultation
with the National Chavez Center and the Cesar Chavez Foundation, and
shall identify steps to be taken to provide interpretive opportunities
for the entirety of the National Historic Landmark District at La Paz
and related sites as described above, where appropriate for a broader
understanding of the farm worker movement.
The National Park Service shall consult with the National Chavez Center,
the Cesar Chavez Foundation, and other appropriate organizations in
planning for interpretation and visitor services at the monument. The
National Park Service shall, in its interpretive programming, recognize
the contributions of many people, cultures, and organizations to the
farm worker movement, such as women, youth, and religious organizations.
To the extent practicable and appropriate, the National Park Service
shall seek to provide coordinated visitor services and interpretive
opportunities with the National Chavez Center throughout the La Paz
site, on property owned and managed by the National Chavez Center as
well as on property administered by the National Park Service.

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The National Park Service is directed to use applicable authorities to seek
to enter into agreements with the National Chavez Center to address
common interests, including provision of visitor services,
interpretation and education, establishment and care of museum
collections, and care of historic resources.
Further, to the extent authorized by law, the Secretary shall promulgate
any additional regulations needed for the proper care and management of
the monument.
Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to revoke any existing
withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation; however, the monument shall
be the dominant reservation.
Warning is hereby given to all unauthorized persons not to appropriate,
injure, destroy, or remove any feature of this monument and not to
locate or settle upon any of the lands thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
seventh.
BARACK OBAMA


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