WHEREAS, The Sacramento-based Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF) art collective, initially named the Rebel Chicano Art Front, was founded in 1969 by José Montoya and Esteban Villa to promote the arts in the Chicano/Latino community, educate young people in the arts, history and culture, promote political awareness, and foster support for César Chávez and the United Farm Workers; and

WHEREAS, The Royal Chicano Air Force was one of the most important collective artist groups of the Chicano art movement during the 1970s and 1980s and continues to be influential 50 years after its founding; and

WHEREAS, As artists, activists, and educators, the Royal Chicano Air Force has showcased the beauty and diversity of the Chicano/Latino community through visual art, poetry, music, dance, social activism, and service; and

WHEREAS, Royal Chicano Air Force founding artist members include José Montoya, Esteban Villa, Juan Carrillo, Juan Cervantes, Armando Cid, Rudy Cuellar, Ricardo Favela, Eva Garcia, Lorraine Garcia-Nakata, Max Garcia, Luis González, Juanishi Orosco, Stan Padilla, Celia Herrera Rodriguez, and Joe Serna, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Many other important members, across generations, enriched the organization with additional talent, skills, and energy furthering the Royal Chicano Air Force’s vision and purpose; and

WHEREAS, Royal Chicano Air Force artists have produced thousands of silk screen posters to promote community events and advance labor and social justice causes; and

WHEREAS, The Royal Chicano Air Force has created large murals throughout Sacramento, in San Diego’s Chicano Park, and in other states inspiring countless viewers with a fuller sense of history, societal possibilities, and grander visions of the future; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Royal Chicano Air Force have inspired community activism, educational advancement, and personal empowerment through their work as educators and administrators at the K–12, community college, and university levels, and as educators in prisons, youth correctional facilities, neighborhood community centers, and cultural facilities; and

WHEREAS, Royal Chicano Air Force members have served as administrators and board members of many foundations, museums, nonprofit organizations, and city and state agencies, and have served as artists in residence for the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission and the California Arts Council; and

WHEREAS, The Royal Chicano Air Force has maintained a 50 year history of utilizing the arts to mobilize students, educators, veterans, artists, and activists calling for economic, educational, and political equality in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The Royal Chicano Air Force’s work has contributed significantly to civil rights and labor activism, and to California’s art history, literature, and culture; now, therefore, be it