Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
The McAllen Heritage Center was celebrated as it honored Texas Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa during a special wine and cheese event. The evening was marked by the Senator donating two historic photographs, capturing moments shared with Cesar Chavez, the legendary advocate for farmworkers’ rights. These gifts are more than just images; they are windows into a chapter of history that shaped the lives of countless workers and communities in the Rio Grande Valley.
Elva Cerda, executive director of the McAllen Heritage Center and co-founder of the institution, set the tone for the evening by expressing gratitude for Hinojosa’s contributions. “Thank you, everyone, for being here tonight. We know many other things are going on, but this is a significant night for the McAllen Heritage Center,” Cerda said. She emphasized the significance of the Senator’s work, particularly his advocacy for farmworkers, which she called a vital part of the Valley’s history. “We are so proud of all he’s done. When he first came on board, he was a member of the House. At that time, he was very involved in protecting the farmworkers’ rights.”
As Senator Hinojosa took the stage, he reflected on his journey from farmworker to legislator and the enduring legacy of Cesar Chavez. “As I walked around the Heritage Center, I got a feel for and sense of history for the city of McAllen. It’s really amazing,” he remarked. Sharing personal anecdotes, he recalled a childhood spent laboring in the fields, picking cotton, tomatoes, and oranges under grueling conditions. “In the old days, we were working in cotton fields, and they would spray pesticides on top of us. It was amazing they allowed that at the time. There were no bathrooms, no water—just a dirty barrel or bring your own.”
Hinojosa credited Cesar Chavez as a guiding force in fighting for farmworker rights. “Chavez was a very peaceful man but very committed to helping farmworkers,” he said. Hinojosa shared the story behind the gifted photographs, one of which captured him alongside Chavez at the United Farm Workers Union Hall in San Juan, Texas. “I had the honor of meeting Cesar Chavez as a Texas State Representative. The work he did to advocate for workers, to fight for basic dignity, was inspiring and necessary.”
The Senator also detailed his legislative accomplishments, addressing long-standing inequities farmworkers face. “When I was elected a state rep, I introduced legislation to stop spraying pesticides when workers were in the field, to provide clean water, to require bathrooms for both men and women,” he said. Perhaps most notably, Hinojosa was instrumental in banning the use of the short-handled hoe, a tool that caused severe physical harm to workers forced to bend over for hours. “We also pushed a bill to provide workers’ compensation for injured farmworkers. Before that, if they needed medical care, the community ended up paying for it.”
Cesar Chavez’s influence was a recurring theme throughout the evening. Hinojosa spoke of Chavez’s connection with figures like Dolores Huerta and Senator Robert Kennedy, highlighting their role in the broader labor movement. “In addition to the photographs, I have a medal from Cesar Chavez, signed by him, which I’m also dedicating to the museum,” he said, underlining his commitment to preserving this legacy for future generations.
McAllen City Commissioner Omar Quintanilla also took to the podium to express his gratitude for the Senator’s contributions. “As a young Gen Xer, I sometimes fail to realize the sacrifices made by individuals slightly older than us. This museum and these photographs allow us to learn and reflect on those struggles,” he said. Quintanilla emphasized the importance of the Heritage Center as a place where future generations can connect with the history that shaped their community.
The evening concluded with heartfelt acknowledgments, including a tribute to Amanda Hinojosa, the Senator’s wife, a former farmworker. Cerda praised Amanda as “an amazing human being,” while Hinojosa shared stories of her childhood in Idaho, picking potatoes alongside her family. “Just to give you a sense of our generation—who we were and where we’ve come from,” he said.
As attendees mingled, historian and founding member Spud Brown led the group in singing the “Valley Song,” a beloved anthem of the region. The gathering was a celebration of the past, a reaffirmation of shared values, and a collective commitment to honor the sacrifices that built the Valley’s future.
The McAllen Heritage Center’s decision to preserve and showcase these historic artifacts ensures that the struggles and achievements of farmworkers will not be forgotten. As Hinojosa aptly concluded, “At the end of the day, we’re all family. We all want the same thing: good jobs, good education, good healthcare, and safe communities. Thank you very much, and God bless you all.”
