FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2012
Contact: Virginia Cramer, 804-225-9113 x 102
President Obama Honors César Chávez with National Monument Designation
Washington, DC: President Obama today designated the fourth national monument of his presidency, the César E. Chávez National Monument in California. The designation will permanently protect the La Paz property, which includes many sites important to César E. Chávez and the farm workers' rights movement.
In response Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune issued the following statement:
“We’re pleased that President Obama has taken this opportunity to recognize César Chávez and permanently protect the sites that played such an important role in his life and work.
César Chávez was a true labor and environmental champion whose work helped result in the passage of landmark laws that protect our air, water, land and-- most importantly-- people. His work helped link people's health and the environment, and his fight for environmental justice is one that the Sierra Club remains committed to today.
For years, the Sierra Club has supported the protection of public lands significant to Chávez’s life and has asked for those places to be recognized by the National Park Service. Today’s designation at last makes that a reality. We hope that President Obama will continue to recognize and protect public lands so integral to our nation’s history, culture and spirit.”
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