Named in honor of former California State Senator Richard G. Polanco, a founder and the chair of the California Latino Caucus Institute, the Polanco Fellowship program provides leadership training and development for a select group college graduates. As of January 2009, there are 33 Polanco Fellows.
Considered one of the premier public policy fellowships in the nation, the Polanco Fellowship is a yearlong placement that includes leadership training at the world-renowned Center for Creative Leadership in La Jolla, an annual Institute Orientation at UCLA, a four-month placement in a major state agency in Sacramento such as CalPERS and, then, the heart of the Fellowship, an eight-month placement in the Capitol office of a state legislator.
"Real education should consist of drawing the goodness and the best out of our own students. What better books can there be than the book of humanity?" -- Cesar Chavez
A State Holiday
California has established an official state holiday to honor Latino labor leader Cesar Chavez. Cesar Chavez Day is intended to promote service to the community in honor of Chavez's life and work. This day will be celebrated on March 31st, in honor of Chavez's birthday, or the appropriate Monday or Friday nearest that date.
Education & Service
Senate Bill 984 (Polanco) asks schools to celebrate the life and work of Cesar Chavez. Education Code, Section 37220-37223, describes the legislation signed by Governor Gray Davis on August 18, 2000.
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 2009 Cesar Chavez Day activities - Senator Polanco speaks with student on his personal journey working with Cesar Chavez
Click Here to View Photos From the Event
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Polanco Fellows who have served at CalPERS reunite with the Corporate Governance group at CalPERS' offices in Sacramento, California earlier this month (March 2009) |
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Assemblyman Jose Solorio and Polanco Fellow Ismael Herrera at
an Assembly Higher Education Committee hearing on State-UC contracts.
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2008 Polanco Fellows Esmeralda Martin and Miguel Martinez present legislation in Committees
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