SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5913
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of January 10, 2018
Title: An act relating to recognizing the thirty-first day of March as Cesar Chavez day.
Brief Description: Recognizing the thirty-first day of March as Cesar Chavez day.
Sponsors: Senators Saldaña, Frockt, McCoy, Kuderer, Rolfes, Keiser, Pedersen, Liias, Takko, Hobbs, Hunt, Chase, Hasegawa and Conway.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: 1/10/18.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Staff: Melissa Van Gorkom (786-7491)
Background: Apart from state legal holidays, a variety of dates are specifically recognized throughout the year. Such recognition dates commemorate an event, individual, or groups of persons. Individuals with dates of recognition include Mother Joseph and Marcus Whitman.
Cesar Chavez was born on March 31, 1927, in Yuma, Arizona. His family moved to California as migrant farm workers when he was child. Mr. Chavez became a leader of the farm worker organization movement and co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later merged into the United Farm Workers Association. He passed away April 23, 1993. His birthday, March 31st, is officially recognized as Cesar Chavez Day in several states, and as a federal commemorative holiday under presidential proclamation since 2010.
Summary of Bill: March 31st is recognized as Cesar Chavez Day, but is not considered a legal holiday for any purpose.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Chavez was a community leader, launching one of our nation's most inspiring social movements. He should be recognized for his efforts to gain equality in the workplace by fighting for fair wages, access to bathrooms, clean drinking water, and the prohibition of spraying of pesticides while workers are in the fields. Decades after his struggle his legacy lives on in the community. Dedicating March 31 as Cesar Chavez day demonstrates that this is something that the state is committed to recognizing.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Gloria Burton, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington; Eric Gonzalez Alfaro, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; Brian Moreno, Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.