For César Chávez, La Paz also provided the respite he needed to continue serving the farm worker movement. His attachment to La Paz as both a refuge and a place where he engaged in his life’s work grew stronger over the years.
La Paz was a place where he and other farm worker leaders strategized and reflected on challenges the union was facing, celebrated victories and mourned losses, and watched the union endure and modernize. The building that is now the Visitor Center contains César Chávez’s office (which still houses original furnishings and artifacts), as well as the UFW legal aid offices. La Paz also was a place where he watched his children grow up, marry, and begin to raise children of their own. The home of César and Helen Chávez remains at La Paz. That César Chávez wished to be buried at La Paz upon his death is an enduring testament to the strength of his association with the property. The Chávez Memorial Garden contains the grave site of César Chávez. Other buildings and structures at the La Paz campus, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark, are recognized as contributing to its historic significance.
This site marks the extraordinary achievements and contributions to the history of the United States made by Cé sar Chá vez 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.
Whereas section 2 of the Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225, 16 U.S.C. 431) (the ‘‘Antiquities Act’’), authorizes the President, in his discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated upon the lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States to be national monuments, and to reserve as a part thereof parcels of land, the limits of which in all cases shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected;
Whereas Nuestra Señ ora Reina de la Paz was designated a National Historic Landmark on October 8, 2012, establishing its national significance based on its association with Cé sar Chá vez and the farm worker movement that he led;
Whereas the National Chávez Center and the César Chávez Foundation have expressed support for establishing a unit of the National Park System at La Paz;
Whereas the National Chávez Center has donated to the United States certain lands and interests in lands at La Paz (including fee title in the Visitor Center that contains the office of Cé sar Chá vez and legal aid offices, César Chávez’s home, and the Memorial Garden that includes the grave of César Chávez, as well as an easement for the protection of and access to other historically significant buildings, structures, and associated landscapes located adjacent to the fee lands) for administration by the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) in accordance with the provisions of the Antiquities Act and other applicable laws;
Whereas it is in the public interest to preserve the historic objects at La Paz;
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