Congressmen Liccardo and Cisneros Stand Up for U.S. Naval Ship Cesar Chavez and Its Namesake’s Legacy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sam Liccardo (CA-16)  and Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31) have conveyed a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressing strong opposition to reported efforts to potentially rename the USNS Cesar Chavez, a Navy cargo ship honoring the civil rights icon and military veteran. 

In the letter, the Congressmen–joined by 22 of their colleagues in the House of Representatives– assert, “the legacy of Cesar Chavez is not a partisan issue. It is a testament to the American spirit of sacrifice, service, and social progress.”

“When the Navy named a ship after Cesar Chavez, it recognized that service to our country isn’t limited to the battlefield—it includes a lifelong fight for justice at home,” said Liccardo. “Renaming the USNS Chavez dishonors his legacy of service, social justice, and leadership.  This is not merely partisan; it’s un-American.”

“César Chavez is a historical figure who fought for the rights of American workers. Before distinguishing himself as an American icon, he served honorably in the United States Navy in the Pacific,” said Cisneros. “As a Navy Veteran, I am tremendously proud that such an amazing individual served in the Navy as I did. Historically, ships have been named to honor our American heroes for their service to the country both in and out of uniform. Mr. Chavez dedicated his life to service and improving the lives of others, and naming a ship after him was an honor he was worthy of. However, to remove his name from the ship would be nothing more than petty and shameful.”

Chavez, who enlisted in the Navy at age 19 and served in a segregated unit in the Western Pacific, went on to co-found the United Farm Workers and lead a national movement for workers’ rights, civil rights, and dignity. In 1994, President Clinton posthumously awarded Chavez the Presidential Medal of Freedom–the highest civilian honor. In 2011, the Navy recognized his service and legacy by naming the T-AKE-14 replenishment ship in his honor.

"My grandfather Cesar faithfully served the nation in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948, right after World War II, including in the Western Pacific. Like other veterans, he returned home determined to ensure that the country for which he sacrificed would be true to the promises it bequeaths everyone, “ said Andres Chavez, Executive Director, National Chavez Center. “The naming of the USNS Cesar Chavez honors countless generations of veterans, especially American Latinos, who devotedly responded to the call to service."

Liccardo and Cisneros’ letter points to the Navy’s own criteria for naming vessels—recognizing national service and minimizing cost—and warns that renaming the USNS Cesar Chavez would violate both. The change would require unnecessary updates to ship systems, records, and signage at taxpayers’ expense and undermine the Navy’s tradition of commemorating leaders who embody American values.

"Throughout our history, Mexican-Americans have served in the United States military abroad even while our communities experienced injustice, discrimination, and poverty at home,” said UFW President Teresa Romero. “Many of those Mexican-American servicemembers continued their service when they came home, as veterans, activists, lawyers, and union leaders. One of them was Cesar Chavez, who served in the Navy after growing up working in the fields and later founded the United Farm Workers. His name on a U.S. Navy vessel is an appropriate way to honor not just his military service, but that of the many children of farm workers who continue to serve in the U.S. military today."