Council honors César Chávez Foundation and National Chávez Center with resolution recognizing legacy and community programs

The Los Angeles City Council adopted resolutions recognizing the César Chávez Foundation and the César Chávez National Center and heard a statement from Manuel Bernal, president and CEO of the César Chávez Foundation.

Councilmember Nithya Rodríguez (referred to on the record as the councilmember presenting the item) opened the presentation by noting the foundation’s history of serving farmworkers and Latino communities and describing the organizations’ work in affordable housing, after-school programs and elder services. Rodríguez framed the recognition as part of the city’s effort to preserve and advance César Chávez’s legacy.

Manuel Bernal spoke on behalf of the foundation, thanking the council and describing the organizations’ mission. He said the foundation and the national center continue work started by Chávez to raise living standards, provide community services and preserve historic sites tied to the movement. Bernal noted the National Chávez Center’s stewardship of property in Delano, California (including a site sometimes referred to as La Paz) and the partnership with the National Park Service for visitation and preservation of those lands. He said (in Spanish): “César creía que las personas ordinarias podían hacer cosas extraordinarias, y mantenemos ese valor hoy.”

Bernal and councilmembers thanked past leaders, family members and foundation staff for continuing educational and housing programs. The record includes expressions of appreciation from several councilmembers for the foundation’s community programs, media outreach and preservation work.

The council presented two resolutions (one recognizing the foundation and one recognizing the national center) and entered those documents into the official record. Manuel Bernal accepted the recognition on behalf of the foundation and invited continued collaboration with city officials.

Ending: The council recognized the foundation and the national center on the public record; staff and the foundation will continue local outreach and program partnerships as appropriate.