Legislation creating a holiday on the Monday or Friday nearest his March 31 birthday was approved by the California legislature and signed by Gov. Gray Davis last summer. The law creates what is described as the nation's first paid state holiday honoring a Latino or a labor union figure.
Legislation is under consideration in Colorado and Wisconsin as well.
In the afternoon, students will perform community service. After much debate, California Democrats unanimously supported the legislation, which was initiated by Sen. Richard Polanco, a Los Angeles Democrat. Opponents criticized the cost of the holiday. He and his wife raised eight children on a farm worker's low wages. Millions of Americans honored the boycott, and in 1970 the growers gave in.