A photo of Korean War veteran retired Master Sgt. Joe Ramirez is displayed in the yard as people participate in a drive-by birthday parade for him Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Houston.
Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer
Korean War veteran and retired Master Sgt. Joe Ramirez waves as people participate in a drive-by birthday parade for him Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Houston. His daughter, Rossana Bobbitt, is shown left.
Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer
Street signs show the former 67th Street has been renamed Cesar Chavez Boulevard in honor of the late Hispanic civil rights and labor leader. (04/03/2000)
Ben DeSoto/Houston Chronicle
Inside the American Legion hall in Houston’s East End on Thursday night, dozens of residents voiced their thoughts on what they believe Cesar Chavez Boulevard should be renamed, or whether it should be changed at all.
By the end of the meeting, the community — made up of veterans and their families, East End civic leaders and longtime Magnolia Park residents — overwhelmingly supported renaming the street after Joe “Chaco” Ramirez, a Korean War veteran who lived in the neighborhood for decades.
“He was a prisoner of war for three and a half years and came back and still chose to serve,” said Brittany Ramirez, his granddaughter. “Not just his country, but his community.”
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While attendees voted in favor of Ramirez, the city’s public comment period remains open through May 1, and residents can still submit their own suggestions before Houston City Council considers the change on May 13.
New street signs are expected to be installed by mid-June.
The push to rename the street follows a New York Times investigation published March 18 that detailed allegations of sexual abuse against Cesar Chavez, prompting local and national leaders to reconsider honoring the civil rights icon.
The city sent letters to businesses and residents along the street on April 1 stating it would be renamed Dolores Huerta Boulevard, after the co-founder of the United Farm Workers. But many community members said they only learned about the proposed change after receiving the letter or seeing posts on social media.
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Some also questioned why the city would rename the street after Huerta after the San Francisco Standard reported last month that said she does not want streets, schools or buildings renamed in her honor.
“Questions about the naming of public buildings, streets, and schools are local and municipal matters, and we believe those communities are best positioned to have those conversations on their own terms,” Huerta’s spokesperson Erik Olvera told the publication.
A representative for U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, who initially recommended renaming the street after Huerta, told attendees at Thursday’s meeting that the city’s letter was sent before Huerta issued her statement.
City Council Member Joaquin Martinez, who represents the area, said the city is moving quickly to gather public input ahead of the May 13 renaming vote. He said officials chose not to use the traditional petition process, which requires approval from about 75% of property owners and can take months to complete.
“My discussion with the mayor when this started coming up was, ‘I don’t want to go through that process because it’s very hefty and cumbersome,’” Martinez said. “For me, because of all the conversations that were going on at that time, it was important that we didn’t put the community through that process.”
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Community debate over renaming
Residents of all ages expressed a wide range of opinions on what the street should be renamed at the Thursday community meeting.
Some argued the street should remain Cesar Chavez Boulevard, saying the late labor leader’s legacy should not be erased over allegations he cannot respond to. Others pushed for honoring women, pointing to what they said is a lack of representation.
“Brown women are the backbone of this community,” said Isaac Rodriguez, founder of Chicano Boulevard, a nonprofit focused on preserving Chicano culture in the East End. “We need that representation.”
Others said the street should honor the neighborhood itself and be renamed Magnolia Park Boulevard. Civil rights activist Maria Jimenez, who has ties to the East End, was also suggested.
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Practical concerns were also raised, including the cost of updating business records and identification. A retired firefighter warned that renaming the street could create confusion for emergency responders.
But as the meeting progressed, support began to consolidate around Ramirez. Speakers highlighted his service as a Korean War prisoner of war, his decades of advocacy for veterans and his deep roots in the East End.
His son, Brig. Gen. Joe Ramirez Jr., said his father’s legacy reflects the broader story of the neighborhood itself.
“There are a lot of people that have come out of Magnolia Park that have gone on to do great things,” Ramirez said. “I think it’s important that when you look at that street, you strongly consider putting someone local on that sign.”
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