RENO (March 14, 2009) – Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen,
D-Las Vegas, has introduced legislation establishing a permanent Nevada
César Chávez Day every March 31.
Mr. Kihuen will be a featured speaker at the annual
César Chávez event at Circus Circus in Reno on Tuesday,
March 31.
Introduced on March 11, Assembly
Bill 301 states that "The State of Nevada desires to recognize
the many contributions César Chávez made to the State
of Nevada and the United States."
Chávez, who died in 1993 at the age of 66, frequently walked
picket lines with union workers in Las Vegas and was honored with northern
Nevada's first César Chávez Day by the City of Reno during
his 1986 visit to speak to union members.
The annual Washoe County School District
César Chávez essay contest is again underway and students
are encouraged to enter.
Last year's topic was "Should
Congress declare a national holiday to honor César Chávez?"
One of this year's themes
asks writers to analyze commonalities between Chávez and the
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Entrants will again compete in three age categories at elementary, middle
and high school levels. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers
at the March 31 dinner.
Washoe County School District students may obtain rules and entry forms
at their schools. They are also available online in
English and Spanish at CesarChavezNevada.com.
All entries must be received by 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 24, 2008,
submitted via school mail or regular mail to Sue Davis, Teaching American
History Project Director, P.O. Box 30425, Reno, NV 89520-3425.
Activities will conclude with the annual César Chávez
celebration at Circus Circus Hotel-Casino in downtown Reno. Doors will
open at 5:30 p.m. on March 31, the labor leader's 82nd birthday.
Major sponsors of this year's event include Circus Circus, Laborers'
Union Local 169 and the Building and Construction Trades Council of
Northern Nevada.
Flagship media include KREN-TV 27 DT.1 Univision (Charter cable 22),
KRNV-FM 102.1 Radio Tricolor, and KREN DT 27.2/The CW Reno (Charter
cable 6).
Univision Reno and the Reno CW will produce and air vignettes about
the life of César Chávez and cover activities leading
up to the event. Univision airs the only local Spanish language newscast
in northern Nevada. (Noticias Univision Reno, 6:00-6:30 p.m. and 11:00-11:30
p.m. Monday through Friday.)
Radio Exitos 1550-am has been added to this year's lineup of participating
media.
The 2008 event played to an overflow audience, so all seats this year
will be reserved. Sponsorship,
ticket and room rate information may be obtained at CesarChavezNevada.com
or by contacting Andrew Barbano (775) 786-1455, P.O. Box 10034, Reno,
NV 89510, e-mail barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us,
Early bird tickets may
be purchased at a discount through the website.
CesarChavezNevada.com
features photos and the complete history of the northern Nevada event
dating back to 1986 and links which may assist students in their research.
____
Co-sponsors of
Assemblymember Kihuen's AB 301
Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas
Sheila Leslie and David Bobzien, both D-Reno
Bernie Anderson and Debbie Smith, both D-Sparks
Bonnie Parnell, D-Carson City
Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas
Ellen Spiegel, D-Henderson
Morse Arberry, Jerry Claborn, Moises Denis, Kathy McClain, Harry Mortenson,
Harvey Munford, John Oceguera, Peggy Pierce, Tick Segerblom, all D-Las
Vegas
Assemblymember Chad Christensen, R-Las Vegas
Complete
text of AB 301 in .pdf format
