by Alex Meneses Miyashita
César Chávez
The U.S. House of Representatives passed two bills April 9 that recognize the Latino contribution to this country.
The 91-117 vote on the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 008 now sends the bill to president’s desk for final approval. The Senate passed the bill April 10.
One bill honors Latino labor rights activist and union leader César Chávez and the other one recognizes the entire Hispanic community through the creation of a national museum.
The Cesar Chavez bill, sponsored by Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.), allows the Department of the Interior to explore significant lands in the life of the labor rights leader for potential inclusion in the National Park System.
“Through this effort, we can leave a legacy of his work so future generations better understand the importance of his sacrifice to improve the lives of othens,” Solis stated.
The museum bill, sponsored by Reps. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) and lleana Ros Lehtinen (R-Fla.), would establish a commission to study the viability of building a Latino Museum in Washington, D.C. and strategize a potential plan of action. The commission would report to Congress within 4 months of the bill becoming law.
We have the opportunity to make significant progress in ensuring that visitors to our nation’s capital gain a more complete understanding of all the groups who have helped make America a better place,” RosLehtinen stated.
