In the wake of recent reporting from the New York Times, which revealed leftist labor icon Cesar Chavez as a serial sexual predator and pedophile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott called on state agency heads not to observe an optional state holiday honoring Chavez and vowed to have it eliminated from state law.
“The State of Texas will not observe the Cesar Chavez Day holiday. I am directing all Texas state agency heads to comply. In the upcoming legislative session, I will work with Texas lawmakers to remove Cesar Chavez Day from state law altogether. Reports of the horrific and widely acknowledged sexual assault allegations against Cesar Chavez rightfully dismantle the myth of this progressive hero and undermine the narrative that elevated Chavez as a figure worthy of official state celebration,” said Abbott.
Section 662.013 of the Texas Government Code designates March 31 as “Cesar Chavez Day”, an optional state holiday in observance of Chavez’s birthday. Under this statute, state agency heads may allow employees under their direction to take Cesar Chavez Day off from work in lieu of another state holiday.
Cesar Chavez Day was enshrined into law by Texas lawmakers in 1999 with the passage of Senate Bill 107 by then-State Senator Carlos Truan. While the bill passed the Texas Senate without opposition, three Republican State Representatives registered opposition to the legislation on final passage.
Two of the Texas House members who opposed the legislation, then-State Representatives John Culberson and Terry Keel, entered a statement into the House journal explaining their belief that historical figures such as Juan Seguin were more deserving of a state holiday to honor the Hispanic heritage of Texas.
“The establishment of a holiday reserved to specifically honor the Hispanic heritage of this state is long overdue. In our zeal to accomplish this goal by recognizing one contemporary political figure, the 76th Legislature of Texas has overlooked and passed over historical figures whose bravery and sacrifices are largely responsible for the birth and survival of this great state and the freedoms and democracy we too often take for granted. We would not even be here as a legislature talking about this were it not for heroes like Juan Seguin and other Tejanos,” read the statement.
“In our haste to fall into line with the political correctness of honoring a contemporary political activist, we unwittingly shortchange the Hispanic heritage of Texas by ignoring the valiant acts of our native Tejano parentage. We allow contemporary politics to dominate this overdue action of establishing a holiday important to all of us and particularly important to persons of Hispanic heritage. It is a disservice to not consider that the actions we take today are intended to have historical impact, yet we do not even consider the historical perspective.”
