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Cesar Chavez Memorial Fund Campaign
Our goal is to create a lasting tribute to remind all future generations who Cesar E. Chavez was, and what he stood for. A generous donation today will help ensure that our children and grandchildren will know of the contributions and works of this great humanitarian and civil rights leader. HistoryFollowing his service in the U.S. Navy, Cesar E. Chavez settled with his wife in San José in the Sal Si Puedes barrio in 1950 where he began his work organizing work with the Community Service Organization. Cesar worked on a variety of different projects including a voter registration drive in San José. In 1962 Cesar moved to Delano and went on to develop what is now known as the United Farm Workers Union in 1965, and championed a national movement for greater social justice and civil rights by organizing a strike of table-grape growers in the San Joaquin Valley. To dramatize their message, Chavez and the UFW marched 300 miles from Delano to Sacramento. Chavez was an admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Chavez emulated Gandhi in that he demonstrated the complete sacrifice of oneself for others, self-discipline and self-abnegation in order to achieve a higher good. Robert F. Kennedy called Chavez, "one of the heroic figures of our time." He was subsequently honored with the Aguila Azteca award, the highest honor the Mexican government confers on foreigners, and posthumously honored by President Clinton with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The State of California celebrated Cesar E. Chavez by declaring his birthday, March 31, a holiday. Cesar E. Chavez Memorial CommitteeThe fund-raising campaign is led by Latino community leaders, as well as members of the San José State University administration, faculty, staff and students. The Latino community is represented by Victor Garza, President's Latino Community Advisory Council, San José State University; Rose Amador, President/CEO, Center for Training and Careers/WORKNET; José Villarreal, Public Defender, Santa Clara County; Raul Colunga, Program Manager, Social Services Agency, Santa Clara County; and, Sal Alvarez, Jr., Office of Assemblywoman Elaine Alquist. CampaignThe fundraising campaign goal has been set at $150,000, and is expected to take no more than 1-2 years. The funds will cover the cost of a permanent site-specific public art project in memory of Cesar E. Chavez on the SJSU campus. Donor Levels and AwardsÁguila/Eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000 Gifts of $1,000 or more will be prominently recognized on a plaque on El Paseo de Cesar E. Chavez. They will also be listed in the commemorative program and in the SJSU magazine, Washington Square. We invite you to join us in supporting this momentous effort. Make your donation today! |
Development Division of University Advancement One Washington Square San José, CA 95192-0257 408-924-1473
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