ATTACHMENT 1
CITY OF NAPA
PROCLAMATION
In Honor of César Chávez Day
March 31st, 2024
WHEREAS, We celebrate the life and legacy of César Estrada Chávez, born on March 31, 1927 in Yuma, Arizona. Chávez's profound dedication to advocating for the rights and dignity of farm workers, rooted in his personal experiences of discrimination and adversity, exemplifies resilience and determination in the face of challenges; and WHEREAS, In Napa, the enduring impact of Chávez is honored through the descendants of Braceros who contributed to the local agricultural industry during the Bracero Program. Their ongoing contributions to Napa's vineyards and heritage reflect a deep connection to Chávez's legacy of empowerment and social justice. He is commemorated by Napans across from Napa’s Veteran Memorial Park alongside Dolores Huerta and on Napa’s Hispanic heritage mural on First Street; and WHEREAS, Joshua Murillo, is a descendant and grandchild of a Bracero laborer, who first came to the U.S. because of the Bracero program. Joshua is known for his involvement in honoring the legacy through art. As an artist and teacher his work includes a mural sponsored by the Rail Arts District along the Napa Vine Trail, celebrating the contributions of Braceros to American Agriculture and labor history; and WHEREAS, Chávez’s motto “Si, se puede” or “Yes, we can”, reflects his enduring legacy. Chavez advocated for the rights of farmworkers through nonviolent methods inspired by figures like St. Francis of Assisi, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr.. His motto embodies the spirit of perseverance, sacrifice, and commitment to social change; and WHEREAS, On the occasion of the 97th anniversary of César Chávez’s birth, let us reflect on our past actions and draw wisdom from his poignant words: “Kindness and compassion toward all living things is a mark of a civilized society. Only when we have become nonviolent toward all life will we have learned to live well ourselves.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Scott Sedgley, Mayor of the City of Napa, along with the City Council, do hereby recognize and celebrate March 31, 2024 as César Chávez Day and call upon the Napa community to observe this day with appropriate reflection and learning. In Napa, we are “Better Together.” Dated: March 19, 2024
SCOTT SEDGLEY, MAYOR
CITY OF NAPA