GOP opposes Honoring Cesar Chavez
GOP Senators Blasted for Blocking Resolution Honoring Cesar Chavez
April 2, 2007
EFE
Senate Democratic leaders joined pro-immigrant groups to chastise Republicans for rejecting a resolution in honor of the late Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. The resolution, sponsored by two Democratic lawmakers and defeated Thursday night, would have honored the Chavez legacy on the eve of what would have been his 80th birthday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the resolution was stymied because Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky insisted on including a controversial passage about Chavez' participation in a 1969 march against illegal immigration. Chavez participated in that march because, in those days, there was an increase in the importation of undocumented workers as cheap labor to torpedo his efforts to build up the United Farm Workers union he founded. Calling the late activist "an inspirational American who fought for social and economic justice," Reid said Friday in a statement that "Senate Republicans objected to honoring the true legacy of Cesar Chavez." "Instead of joining Democrats to honor this great American with a resolution celebrating his life, the Senate GOP leadership last night decided that it was better to block the resolution, since they failed in their attempt to include controversial language related to immigration. This is outrageous and disrespects the legacy of this inspirational leader," the Nevada Democrat said. McConnell's insistence on a reference to the 1969 march in the resolution to honor Chavez was also criticized Friday by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the National Council of La Raza. "The inclusion of such language suggests that Cesar Chavez would not have been appalled and outraged by today's anti-immigrant sentiment and policies, which is not only offensive but is dead wrong. There is a time and place to debate the immigration issue but to deny a great leader this congressional honor is a slap in the face to his family, to the Latino community, and to the millions in the U.S. and around the world who continue his work and legacy today," MALDEF and NCLR said in a joint statement. Source: Copyright (C) 2007. Agencia EFE S.A.
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April 2, 2007
EFE
Senate Democratic leaders joined pro-immigrant groups to chastise Republicans for rejecting a resolution in honor of the late Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. The resolution, sponsored by two Democratic lawmakers and defeated Thursday night, would have honored the Chavez legacy on the eve of what would have been his 80th birthday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the resolution was stymied because Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky insisted on including a controversial passage about Chavez' participation in a 1969 march against illegal immigration. Chavez participated in that march because, in those days, there was an increase in the importation of undocumented workers as cheap labor to torpedo his efforts to build up the United Farm Workers union he founded. Calling the late activist "an inspirational American who fought for social and economic justice," Reid said Friday in a statement that "Senate Republicans objected to honoring the true legacy of Cesar Chavez." "Instead of joining Democrats to honor this great American with a resolution celebrating his life, the Senate GOP leadership last night decided that it was better to block the resolution, since they failed in their attempt to include controversial language related to immigration. This is outrageous and disrespects the legacy of this inspirational leader," the Nevada Democrat said. McConnell's insistence on a reference to the 1969 march in the resolution to honor Chavez was also criticized Friday by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the National Council of La Raza. "The inclusion of such language suggests that Cesar Chavez would not have been appalled and outraged by today's anti-immigrant sentiment and policies, which is not only offensive but is dead wrong. There is a time and place to debate the immigration issue but to deny a great leader this congressional honor is a slap in the face to his family, to the Latino community, and to the millions in the U.S. and around the world who continue his work and legacy today," MALDEF and NCLR said in a joint statement. Source: Copyright (C) 2007. Agencia EFE S.A.
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posted by Chris Garcia, SAYD Chairman at
4/03/2007 12:26:00 PM
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