Astronaut Jose Hernandez @ Santa Paula Farm Worker Dedication

On August 15, 2010, Santa Paula California held a ceremony honoring migrant farm workers as well as celebrating their contributions to society. The centerpiece of this ceremony was the reveal of a monument in honor of migrant farm workers, the first of its kind in the nation. The ceremony entailed several features performances, a blessing and several guest speakers. 

                Amongst the several speakers from the community, the keynote speech (can be viewed in its entirety below) was provided by a former migrant worker,  Astronaut Jose Hernandez. In addition, to being a farmer worker he was a member of Los Ingenieros when attending the University of California Santa Barbara for his Master’s degree. Previously, he had earned his bachelor’s degree at Pacific University after putting his crop picking days behind him. He did not stop there his young child hood dreams, fueled by his parent’s adivice that with an education he can do anything, led him to accomplish his dream of traveling to space. After 11 attempts, in the year 2004 Jose was selected to be part of the 19th class of astronauts. He is living proof of the saying “if at first you don’t succeed try and try again.” SI SE PUEDE!!!

 

For more information please view the links below

LA Times: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/15/local/la-me-farmworker-20100816

Ventura County Star: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/aug/15/s-paula-site-honors-farmworkers/?partner=RSS

Astronaut Jose Hernandez (Wikipedia): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Hern%C3%A1ndez_%28astronaut%29

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