NEA Human, Civil Rights Awards

U.S. Congressman Raul M. Grijalva is among 14 distinguished individuals & organizations who will receive a 2006 National Education Association Human & Civil Rights award. Rep. Grijalva, a Democrat from Arizona, is being honored with the NEA César Chávez Accion y Compromiso Human & Civil Rights Award for his committed advocacy for workers’ rights. The veteran lawmaker was a local elected official for more than 35 years before being voted into the U.S. House of Representatives to represent residents in the Tucson & Yuma areas.

“Congressman Grijalva is especially dedicated to protecting migrant & seasonal workers who are often the lowest paid & most exploited members of our communities,” says NEA President Reg Weaver. “As a strong advocate for education, he has pressed for meaningful funding increases for migrant & seasonal Head Start programs & supports the ‘DREAM Act,’ legislation to provide in-state tuition benefits for all children, whether they are documented, undocumented, or born in the U.S.”

Throughout his many years of public service, Rep. Grijalva has been committed to protecting workers & helping them to improve their lives through collective bargaining, sound safety regulations, affordable health care & prescription drugs, as well as fair overtime pay rules.

Rep. Grijalva’s contributions to education help to ensure that schools across the nation receive more of the resources needed to provide open access to great public schools for all students.

The Congressman is receiving an award named after César Chávez. Chávez (1927–1993) who founded the United Farm Workers of America, devoted his life to improving working conditions & gaining living wages for the nations exploited farm workers by using nonviolent methods.

Each year, NEA honors educators, public servants & activists who fight tirelessly to promote social justice & dignity for all citizens. The awards are named after human & civil rights pioneers & commemorate NEA’s 1966 merger with the predominantly Black organization, the American Teachers Association. This year’s Human & Civil Rights Awards Dinner will be held July 1st, 2006, in Orlando, Fla., during the NEA Annual Meeting & Representative Assembly.