The 2nd Annual Legacy of Cesar Chavez Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, April 9, at Cristo Rey Church. Cost to attend is free but registration is required. The Keynote Speaker will be Arturo Rodriguez who is the former United Farm Workers President. Doors open at 11:00am with the program beginning at 12noon. Limited tickets are available by emailing RSVP@LansingMi.gov.
Last year, the City of Lansing brought in Andres Chavez who is the Grandson of Cesar Chavez. Arturo is the son-in-law of Cesar having married Cesar’s daughter Linda Chavez. About 125 people attended last year with an expected attendance this year of 200.
TO REGISTER TO ATTEND: RSVP to RSVP@LansingMi.gov
From the UFW Records: Arturo Rodriguez became president of the United Farm Workers (UFW) in 1993 upon the death of Cesar Chavez, co-founder and president of the UFW from its start and Rodriguez’s father-in-law and mentor. Rodriguez was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1949 and attended Catholic schools there. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio in 1971 and a Masters degree in social work from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1973.
Rodriguez learned of Cesar Chavez’s work for farm workers from his parish priest in 1966 and became involved in the UFW’s grape boycott while in college. Thereafter, Rodriguez worked with the UFW and, after graduating from the University of Michigan, Rodriguez went to work full time for the UFW, initially organizing boycotts. His work with the UFW has included organizing boycott efforts, organizing union representation elections, teaching classes on union organizing, negotiating and administering union contracts, working on providing union services and settling worker grievances, campaigning for ballot propositions and political candidates, and serving on the UFW’s executive board.
Upon becoming president of the UFW, Rodriguez led a significant new field organizing and contract negotiating drive, adding substantial numbers of members to the UFW. During his presidency the UFW has also campaigned for new laws and regulations protecting farm workers, including immigrant workers, and sought to provide representation to farm workers by providing them with benefits and services through the UFW.
TO REGISTER TO ATTEND: RSVP to RSVP@LansingMi.gov
