In large part due to a question asked by a Meadowdale High School student of a visiting state legislator, Washington state is moving closer to having a day of recognition for civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.

The day of recognition for Chavez came about when Rep. Zach Hudgins from Tukwila visited the Native Spanish Speaker classroom at Meadowdale High School. Having just finished a unit on Cesar Chavez, student Jon Cruz Martinez asked Hudgins why the state didn’t recognize March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day in the state of Washington.

Hudgins didn’t know and after some research he wrote House Bill 1560 which would recognize Cesar Chavez in Washington state. Almost a year later, the bill has passed various stages and is very close to becoming official. It currently is in the Senate.

“It’s a strong message to all students that their voices and opinions matter,” said Meadowdale Spanish teacher and Latino Student Union co-advisor Maria Serka.

To celebrate this achievement Meadowdale HIgh School unveiled a mural done by noted Washington state muralist and 1999 Mountlake Terrace High School graduate Andrew Morrison Tuesday afternoon.

“I believe that this mural of Cesar Chavez represents the hard work that our Latino students are capable of with the right motivation,” Martinez said. “To see ourselves and our culture reflected on our school wall is a step in the right direction that will continue to motivate all students to work hard.”

Colores Unidos, Meadowdale’s Latino Student Union, was present during the unveiling, as well as students from last year’s Native Speaker class.