Cesar Chavez holiday bill goes to California governor

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- California lawmakers on Thursday approved the creation of a new state holiday to honor United Farm Workers founder Cesar Chavez.

Chavez, who died in 1993, spent his life organizing and fighting to improve conditions for the predominantly Hispanic and immigrant people who work in the nation's fields and orchards.

Democratic Gov. Gray Davis has promised to sign the bill to make March 31 a holiday for state workers and an optional holiday for public schools.

"It's time for us to honor the memory of the man who did so much for the Latino community," said Assemblyman Robert Pacheco, who worked in cotton fields as a boy.

Texas last year made March 31 an optional state holiday in honor of Chavez. And Arizona celebrated its first official Cesar Chavez Day this year, though it is considered a recognition rather than a paid state holiday.

In California, the bill easily passed the Assembly and Senate; Republicans cast the only no votes.

"What kind of bill is this to give state workers a day off and leave farmworkers working in the fields?" asked GOP Assemblyman Mike Briggs.

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