pf pf hello xt today we celebrate the legacy of caesar chavez with me on the show is caesar's sister rita and with

us is rudy barbara caesar. welcome back to the show. >> thank you. >> rita, you know, when we got the news back in 1993, i think, i think the entire nation was devastated. i don't think that everybody knew what kind of impact cesar's passing would have on all of us. did you ever imagine your brother would reach the heights, his legacy, that it has? >> no, not really. but i know that he he was a hard worker and he always thought about, somebody has to do something about the form workers. somebody. he never knew he was going to do it, but when he was first going to start to do the union, he had a meeting with the family, my mom was against it because she was afraid -- she was scared because there had been violence, other people that had been in other places. we knew about it. my mom said, no, no.

he says, mom, i'm going to do it the non-violent way. >> barbara, you look at the documentaries that are aired on pbs all the time, and people who are talking who were cesar's friends, at the time they were saying, you're going to start a union for farm workers? you must be crazy. can you imagine where the feelings have gone and what your uncle accomplished by the images we're watching here on the screen. it's pretty incredible the trajectory. >> a lot of people didn't believe in him when he started. now those people are the ones praising him. he just didn't let any of that get in his way because he knew he already had a vision of what he was going to do. so he was very determined and nobody could stop him. >> that's pretty amazing. rudy, this is a busy time of the year for the family. families are flying to colorado, to arizona, all over california.

talk about when the busynesses starts and probably ends on march 31st. >> the whole month of march is really busy because the chavez family business coordinates with the cesar chavez foundation. we get a lot of requests, there aren't enough family members, even though there's 1100, there still aren't enough to cover all the requests because they come in like bunches, right? so we'll get 10 or 12 of them to all have us be at a certain day at a certain time throughout the entire state and the southwest. so it's exciting, it's fun. i like to go to do those kinds of talks. i just came back from talking with the california puc, which is really interesting. >> i bet. >> and it's just something that we enjoy doing. it's inspiring also to share the

stories and to see the documentaries or see the different videos that people have and then for us to relate how cesar was really in the background. so those are the things that i like to do when i -- i give little tidbits of cesar's life, his private life, that you don't see in the videos, you don't hear in the documentaries, read in the books. i think that's what's so priceless about doing that. >> and we can't take for granted the fact that you all are here because -- we'll get into that later on, the fact that you make an effort every year to join us here. we really appreciate it. the whole half hour again is dedicated to the legacy of cesar. we'll be airing a story about the national historic landmark, 40 acres. we'll air a story about that and then jorge santana wrote a song called "song far cesar." we'll air that on the show because the legacy merits that. we'vad spoken about this in the past, freda, and you said that

cesar wasn't the kind that wanted a state holiday, wanted streets named of after him. he was all about being humble and helping the farm works. >> he wanted more for the farm workers than himself. he said, not me. i didn't do it alone. i had all of these people that helped me through the boycott and everywhere. i didn't do it. i don't want nothing. there was one school named after him before he died, and he was, why did they do it? what did they do? now he's got all these thing, i don't know what he's thinkinwe about all of this up there. all these bridges and high schools and parks, libraries and different places that are named after him. >> what are your thoughts, barbara, so many years after his passing and where we've come since then? i know that the union has had its ups and downs, but as a family, talk about his legacy, if you will, and how it may have changed when he was alive,

compared to how it is now. >> well, it's changed our lives obviously because we just want to keep his legacy going because a lot of the younger generation don't know what he did. and a lot of schools still don't teach what he did. even here in san jose, there are a lot of schools that don't. for me,nk it just keeps me goin and obviously some of our other family members, to make sure nobody tarnishes his legacy and we keep it going without somebody taking advantage of him because there are some people who do that, you know. so that's why we established the chavez family vision. >> chavez family vision has helped coordinate all the annual marches in downtown san jose, a lot of charity work done through

chavez family vision. just this month, congressman joe baca in southern california introduced a bill that would make cesar chavez a national holiday. what's your reaction to that, rudy? >> you know, i applaud baca for doing that, and we're going to be working in conjunction with his efforts and with the efforts of the cesar chavez foundation. as a matter of fact, at each of our events this year we're going to have petitions for people to sign. so as participants come, they'll be actively enrolled and engaged in that making that national holiday eventually come through. it's a lot of work and we know that, but we're so used to doing a lot of work that it's another task that we're going to put on our table and make sure that we accomplish it. if not this year, next year. if not next year, the following

year. because we still remember and believe in the -- attitude and we have that attitude. i know it will come to fruition. and know we'll be all part of that. >> can you imagine that, rita? there are holidays with last names of lincoln and washington and king and there's a possibility of adding chavez to that? >> i hope so. i think he deserves to have a holiday like everybody else who has done a lot of the work in the world like he did. we'll work very hard on it. if i can, i will. >> just saying that, barbara, it kind of send a chill up my spine and got goose bumps. can you imagine, king, washington, and lincoln and chavez as national holidays? >> yeah, i can imagine it. you wouldn't have wanted it because he was very humble. he would have wanted us to be out there fighting for the farm workers, not just farm workers

but all the oth people, right now people in wisconsin that are losing their rights to have a union. but i think, you know, he deserves it. he's been kept back in the background a little bit, you know, too long, and i think he deserves to be up there like everybody else. >> well, there's several things happening around the cesar chavez holiday. there is a march taking place, also the commemorative breakfast at cet in shan jose. there's a number to call for more information. there's also a cesar chavez golf tournament and also on that same day you can sign up now, chavez family foundation.org. don't forg tchhe mar o in m

like royalty and we're looking for a really good time. we have only a couple of spots left so if anybody has any foresomes out there that want to join, just give us a call and we'll try to fit you in. >> again, that's for scholarship and all for a good cause. and the march, want to go through the historic march again on the 26th of march. >> right. on the 26th of march, we're

going to start at the mexican heritage plaza 10:00 a.m. and we're going to walk along the same path that is the cesar chavez memorial walk that the city of san jose and chavez family vision collaborated with to create and approved unanimously by the city council. we also have signs that were posted that have the significance of particular locations, like the guadalupe church, mayfair center, the chavez family home, just to make a few. it's going to be real exciting. we're expecting a lot of people. as i mentioned before, the march is going to be dedicated towards the rights of public employees, the collective bargaining rights, and we're really supporting those efforts because cesar, in his efforts, did believe in collective bargaining for farm workers and for all public and private employees. >> very good. just recently, interior secretary ken sal aczar traveled

down to the home of historic 40 acres to cristen it as a national historic landmark. the chavez-medina family was there. i was fortunate enough to travel as a reporter to go cover this historic event. and here it is. >> reporter: he put the weight of the farm workers' struggle on his shoulders. cesar chavez carried his nonviolent fight for rights to the small town of delain know. he fasted in 1968 and again in 1988 to strengthen the resolve of those who followed, and this was the bed that witnessed his weakest physical moments but his strongest spiritually. >> this was '88 when he did this fast. >> right. >> reporter: today interior secretary ken salazar toured the compound known as 40 acres. >> i am committed, dedicated, devoted and will not stop until we tell the story of all the

people of america, including the stories of all of those people whose stories historically were swept under the rug. >> reporter: and with the power of the white house, secretary salazar officially dedicated 40 acres as a national historic landmark. >> this property of national significance in commemorating the history of the united states of america. >> they used words like hallowed grounds to describe 40 acres, a place where giants walked, they said. well, today 40 acres received the highest honor from a historical perspective bestowed by the united states of america. ♪ by the dawn's early light >> and that places it in a unique and a very elite set of places in this country. places that are the quintessential stories of america. >> we're extremely proud, the recognition of the 40 acres as

embodying the spirit of the farm worker movement. >> reporter: many traveled to the ceremony from the bay area including chavez's granddaughter and her powerful. >> i think it's a significant day, an important day honoring cesar chavez. >> a man who no doubt would be humbled by such an honor on behalf of a grateful nation. ♪ brave >> reporter: in delano, damian trujil trujillo, nbc bay area news. >> you also traveled there from san jose, rita. what was your reaction after that full day of festivities? >> oh, my god, it was such a wonderful day and something that -- i don't know how to say it. it was very honoring that we have a national dlsh's going to be some more. this is the first one that, you know, something significant. especially 40 acres, actually

started most of the union. >> when you talk about a national historic landmark, barbara, i mean, that's the cream of the crop. that's as high as one can go when talking about historic that. like >> yes, it is. and it's an honor to have that for the union and for the people. and it brought back a lot of memories for me when with we used to just go there and it was just the 40 acres. and we'd -- it brought a lot of memories when i was just sitting there listening to everybody talking. so it's just something that you never thought would happen. >> hwhen you bring the pure oow the white house to 40 acres, there's no higher power than that. >> and that's the first time that there had been any cabinet members come to the 40 acres or to any events of the united farmworkers. so it was extremely significant for the movement, for the family, you know, and for the

farm workers it was just a great way of acknowledging all of their work. and as my mom said earlier, you know, cesar didn't do it by himself. there were a lot of really good people behind them hymn and there's still a lot of really good people fighting that struggle. >> that's awesome. the march is on march 26th at 10:00 a.m., on the 31st, the actual state holiday, the commemorative breakfast at cet in san jose, call that number for more information, don't forget the golf tournament. at the santa teresa golf course. we'll be back as we continue to commemorate the legacy of cesar chavez. stay with us.

we're back chemicommemoratie

legacy of cesar chavez. in phoenix, arizona, when they have a commemorative breakfast there's about 200 people to show up and they pack the place. here it's more humble but still such a powerful moment, if you will. talk about this year's breakfast in san jose. >> well, this year's breakfast, again, has a really truthful meaning. it's themed as education of the heart, which really comes from one of the speeches that cesar gave, and my mom talked about the one school that was dedicated in his honor when he was alive. a so we took that speech and we're going to have that speech read at the breakfast by my son, who's going to be a teacher. he's getting his teaching credential. he's graduated from san jose state. so the party -- the family outvoted me because i wanted to read it, but they said no. and that's okay because we have to pass the torch on.

so my son gabrielle is going t read it. one thing cesar liked to do is break bread with people. that's really part of a religious and spiritual thing that cesar believed in, and you know every year we give out an award, and we always give it out to people that really, really show a lot of support and dedication towards the movement, towards our organization and towards cesar's legacy. so this year -- mom? >> damian, you know, as much as i -- you've done a real good job with us, you really have been from the heart, not only from the mouth. so in appreciation from the chavez family vision, the chavez family, medina family, you are the honor this year.

it's my honor to present you with the cesar chavez award. >> oh, my goodness. thank you so much. you know, this is so deserve mu honor. >> you deserve it. >> and keep helping us. >> the door is always open. i've seen who you've honored in the past, and i'm humbled. >> you won't be at the breakfast so we wanted to surprise you here. >> we know why you won't be at the breakfast because each year you go out with your wife and you take students to feed farm workers. >> you know, i'm a former farm worker and this is all my wife's idea because she also recognizes the humility of farm workers and what they've done what they've done for all americans. i'll let you have the final -- rudy took most of the time. i'll let you have the final thoughts, if you will, rita. wow. >> well, we were debating who would be, and i said, i know one, know who could get it this year, i know who should receive

this award. so i took it to the board and the board voted on it, and there you are. >> this is so humbling. thank you. >> you really, you know, deserve it because you always have us here every year. we're here on your program. you go to our events, you do the emcee, whatever. >> and i'll keep doing that. barbara, any final thoughts? >> i just really appreciate the fact that you have us here and you give us all your support. and you do a lot in the community yourself, not just for farm workers but for other people. you're very committed to your job. and we just feel that you deserve this award this year very much. >> thank you. this will be a tribute to cesar, not to me. i really appreciate it. >>. [ speaking spanish ] >> thank you. may god empower you to go on. >> now it's on tv, shown all over. >> here it is, the award. thank you all to the chavez

family vision and the board and the family. thank you so much. may godspeed, give you power to keep going. >> thank you for all the support you do all the time. [ speaking spanish up next -- a song for sa written by jorge santana and others in honor of a great man.

thank you again for this award. it's undeserved. you know, a lot of us do what we do because we love it and we care about others. but what the heck, it's nice to be recognized. thank you very much. >> that's the criteria for receiving it. >> when it comes from the heart, not only from the mouth, that's what counts. you believe in it, it comes from your heart. some people, yes, i do it, you ask them, well, i can't do it

today. but when it's like you, it comes from the heart, that counts. >> thank you. thank you all very much. we leave you now with a song called "a song for cesar". >> this is dedicated to cesar chavez. it is called "a song for cessce" ♪