S. 4371Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 3:54 PM UTC

The bill creates the César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park covering key sites in California and Arizona, and adds the Farmworker Peregrinación National Historic Trail to the National Trails System. It seeks to preserve, protect, and interpret locations tied to Chávez and the farmworker movement for the benefit of the public and partner organizations.

Key Provisions

Establishes the park, including the Forty Acres in Delano, CA; the César E. Chávez National Monument in Keene, CA; the Santa Rita Center in Phoenix, AZ; and, with owner consent, McDonnell Hall in San Jose, CA.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land for the park by donation, purchase, or exchange, and to enter cooperative agreements with states, local governments, and private groups for preservation and interpretation.
Requires a general management plan within three years that evaluates adding additional sites in California, other states, or outside the states, with consultation of landowners and relevant agencies.
Adds the Farmworker Peregrinación National Historic Trail (the 1966 Delano‑to‑Sacramento route) to the National Trails System, with the Secretary of the Interior overseeing its administration, map availability, and cooperative agreements, and restricts land acquisition without owner consent.
Keeps the existing César E. Chávez National Monument as a distinct unit within the new historical park.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

National Parks Subcommittee

September 21, 2022

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

June 9, 2022

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2895-2896)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

June 9, 2022

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

National Parks Subcommittee

September 21, 2022

Floor Debate

3 members

What members said about S. 4371 on the floor

2 Republicans1 Democrat

Sen. Alex PadillaD-CA · Jun 9, 2022

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act. This legislation would establish the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement…

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act.

This legislation would establish the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park in California and Arizona to preserve the nationally significant sites associated with Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement.

In 2008, with strong bipartisan support, Congress enacted legislation directing the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study of sites that are significant to the life of Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement in the Western United States. The National Park Service evaluated over 100 sites that were significant to Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement in thy stern United States and found that five sites were ``nationally significant.'' Importantly, the Park Service wrote that these nationally significant sites depict a distinct and important aspect of American history associated with civil rights and labor movements that are not adequately represented or protected elsewhere. While the Park Service provided five management alternatives to protect these special places, they ultimately recommended that Congress establish a national historic park that would include several nationally significant sites.

In 2012, President Obama established the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument. The property is in Keene, CA and is known as Nuestra Senora Reina de la Paz. In his Presidential Proclamation, President Obama said: ``This site marks the extraordinary achievements and contributions to the history of the United States made by Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement that he led with great vision and fortitude. La Paz reflects his conviction that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.''

While this was a critical step forward, the National Monument leaves out many nationally significant sites and leaves many important stories untold. The creation of a national historical park, as originally recommended by the Park Service, would allow the National Park Service to tell the full story of Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement for the benefit of all Americans.

This legislation would establish the Forty Acres in Delano, CA; the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument, which includes La Nuestra Senora Reina de la Paz, in Keene, CA; and the Santa Rita Center in Phoenix, AZ, as part of a new Cesar E. Chavez and Farmworker Movement National Historical Park. These sites contain nationally significant resources associated with Cesar Chavez and the farmworker movement and would be preserved and protected as part of the National Park System.

This legislation would also establish a new National Historic Trail that would commemorate the 1966 Delano to Sacramento March, a major milestone event in the farm labor movement. According to the Special Resource Study, ``More than one hundred men and women set out from Delano on March 17, 1966, and thousands of farm workers and their families joined in for short stretches along the way. By the time the marchers entered Sacramento on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1966, the farm worker movement had secured a contract and attracted new waves of support from across the country.''

We must honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez, the inspirational civil rights advocate and leader of the farm labor movement whose impact reverberated in California and across the world. His list of accomplishments is long, from creating the Nation's first permanent agricultural labor union to helping secure passage of the first American law that recognized farm workers' rights to organize.

While widely respected as the most important Latino leader in the United States in the 20th century, Cesar Chavez was not just a leader for the Latino community. Following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez led a nonviolent movement of protests and boycotts to secure a union, better pay, and better working conditions for farmworkers. He also played a leading role in the broader labor movement, the Chicano movement, and the environmental movement. For Chavez, it did not matter where you came from or what your job was: he believed in the fundamental right to dignity and respect.

But this park will not just focus on Chavez's legacy; it will also preserve the thousands of stories of people who played a role in the broader farm labor movement. According to the Special Resource Study, ``During the 1960s, the farm labor movement attracted support from a wide array of individuals, including members of other unions, religious leaders, civil rights activists, high school students and college students (including young Chicanos and Filipinos), environmentalists, and justice-minded consumers across the country and abroad.''

As the son of immigrants from Mexico and the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate, I believe the movement Cesar Chavez created is just as important today as it ever has been. The National Park System--which preserves our natural, historical, and cultural heritage while offering

vital spaces for teaching, learning, and outdoor recreation--must paint the full mosaic of America. Through the sites preserved by this bill, we can ensure that the National Park System preserves the diverse history of our Nation that is too often overlooked. As a farm worker himself, Cesar Chavez maintained a strong connection to the natural environment. This bill uplifts his story and those of others whose contributions helped build the farmworker and civil rights movements that are pillars of American history.

I thank the bill's cosponsors in the Senate and House of Representatives, and I especially want to thank Congressman Ruiz for spearheading this effort with me to ensure that our national monuments and historical parks better reflect the diversity of America's heritage.

Today and every day, let's recommit to the work Cesar Chavez began. As he would say: La Lucha Sigue. We must not waver as we keep up the fight for justice and equality for all.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the Cesar E. Chavez National Historical Park Act as quickly as possible.

Sen. Alex PadillaD-CA · Jun 9, 2022

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act. This legislation would establish the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement…

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act.

Today and every day, let's recommit to the work Cesar Chavez began. As he would say: La Lucha Sigue. We must not waver as we keep up the fight for justice and equality for all.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the Cesar E. Chavez National Historical Park Act as quickly as possible.

Sen. John CornynR-TX · Jun 9, 2022

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print my bill for introduction in the Congressional Record. The bill improves certain sexual assault and domestic violence prevention policies.

Sen. John ThuneR-SD · Jun 9, 2022

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued June 9, 2022

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 4371

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 9, 2022

Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mrs. Feinstein) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To establish the César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park in the States of California and Arizona, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act.

Findings and purpose

(a)

Findings

Congress finds that—

(1)

the César E. Chávez National Monument was established by Presidential Proclamation 8884 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note) for the purposes of protecting and interpreting the nationally significant resources associated with the property in Keene, California, known as Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz;

(2)

Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz—

(A)

served as the national headquarters of the United Farm Workers; and

(B)

was the home and workplace of César E. Chávez, the family of César E. Chávez, union members, and supporters of César E. Chávez;

(3)

while the César E. Chávez National Monument marks the extraordinary achievements and contributions to the history of the United States by César E. Chávez and the farmworker movement, there are other significant sites in the States of California and Arizona that are important to the story of the farmworker movement; and

(4)

in the study conducted by the National Park Service entitled Cesar Chavez Special Resource Study and Environmental Assessment and submitted to Congress on October 24, 2013, the National Park Service—

(A)

(i)

found that several sites associated with César E. Chávez and the farmworker movement—

(I)

are suitable for inclusion in the National Park System; and

(II)

depict a distinct and important aspect of the history of the United States not otherwise adequately represented at existing units of the National Park System; and

(ii)

recommended that Congress establish a national historical park to honor the role that César E. Chávez played in lifting up the lives of farmworkers; and

(B)

(i)

found that the route of the 1966 march from Delano to Sacramento, California—

(I)

is eligible for National Historic Landmark status; and

(II)

meets the criteria for designation as a national historic trail; and

(ii)

recommended that the National Park Service work with partner organizations and agencies to provide for interpretation programs along the route of the 1966 march from Delano to Sacramento, California.

(b)

Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to establish the César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park—

(1)

to help preserve, protect, and interpret the nationally significant resources associated with César E. Chávez and the farmworker movement;

(2)

to interpret and provide for a broader understanding of the extraordinary achievements and contributions to the history of the United States made by César E. Chávez and the farmworker movement; and

(3)

to support and enhance the network of sites and resources associated with César E. Chávez and the farmworker movement.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Historical park

The term historical park means the César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park established by section 4(a).

(2)

Map

The term map means the map entitled César Chávez National Historical Park Proposed Boundary, numbered 502/179857, and dated March 2022.

(3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(4)

State

The term State means each of—

(A)

the State of California; and

(B)

the State of Arizona.

(5)

Study

The term Study means the study conducted by the National Park Service entitled Cesar Chavez Special Resource Study and Environmental Assessment and submitted to Congress on October 24, 2013.

César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park

(a)

Establishment

There is established in the States a unit of the National Park System, to be known as the César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park.

(b)

Boundary

The boundary of the historical park shall include the following areas, as generally depicted on the map:

(1)

The Forty Acres in Delano, California.

(2)

César E. Chávez National Monument, which includes Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz, in Keene, California.

(3)

Santa Rita Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

(c)

Additional site

On written agreement by the Secretary and the owner of the property indicating support for the inclusion, the Secretary may include within the boundary of the historical park McDonnell Hall in San Jose, California, as generally depicted on the map.

(d)

Availability of map

The map shall be available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(e)

Land acquisition

The Secretary may acquire land and interests in land that are within the boundary of the historical park by—

(1)

donation;

(2)

purchase with donated or appropriated funds; or

(3)

exchange.

(f)

César E. Chávez National Monument

Notwithstanding the inclusion of the César E. Chávez National Monument within the boundaries of the historical park, the César E. Chávez National Monument shall continue to be administered as a distinct and identifiable unit of the National Park System in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 8884 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note).

(g)

Administration

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall administer the historical park in accordance with—

(A)

this section; and

(B)

the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including—

(i)

section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of title 54, United States Code; and

(ii)

chapter 3201 of title 54, United States Code.

(2)

Interpretation

The Secretary may provide technical assistance and public interpretation of historic sites, museums, and resources on land not administered by the Secretary relating to the life of César E. Chávez and the history of the farmworker movement.

(3)

Cooperative agreements

The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with the States, local governments, public and private organizations, and individuals to provide for the preservation, development, interpretation, and use of the historical park.

(h)

General management plan

(1)

In general

Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall prepare a general management plan for the historical park in accordance with section 100502 of title 54, United States Code.

(2)

Additional sites

(A)

In general

The general management plan shall include a determination of whether there are—

(i)

sites located in the Coachella Valley in the State of California that were reviewed in the Study that should be added to the historical park;

(ii)

additional representative sites in the States that were reviewed in the Study that should be added to the historical park; or

(iii)

sites outside of the States in the United States that relate to the farmworker movement that should be linked to, and interpreted at, the historical park.

(B)

Inclusion

On a determination by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) that an additional site is appropriate for inclusion in the historical park, the Secretary may, with the consent of the owner of the applicable site, incorporate the applicable site into the historical park by publishing notice in the Federal Register of the inclusion of the site in the historical park.

(3)

Consultation

The general management plan under paragraph (1) shall be prepared in consultation with—

(A)

any owner of land that is included within the boundaries of the historical park; and

(B)

appropriate Federal and State agencies, public and private organizations, and individuals, including—

(i)

the National Chávez Center; and

(ii)

the César Chávez Foundation.

Farmworker Peregrinación National Historic Trail

Section 5(a) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(31)

Farmworker Peregrinación national historic trail

(A)

In general

The Farmworker Peregrinación National Historic Trail (referred to in this paragraph as the trail), a route of approximately 300 miles taken by farmworkers between Delano and Sacramento, California, in 1966, as generally depicted as Alternative C in the study conducted by the National Park Service entitled Cesar Chavez Special Resource Study and Environmental Assessment and submitted to Congress on October 24, 2013.

(B)

Map

A map describing the trail shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(C)

Administration

The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with—

(i)

other Federal, State, Tribal, regional, and local agencies; and

(ii)

the private sector.

(D)

Land acquisition

The United States shall not acquire for the trail any land or interest in land outside the exterior boundary of any federally managed area without the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.

(E)

Cooperative agreements

The Secretary of the Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with interested entities to provide for the preservation, development, interpretation, and use of the trail.