Final thoughts regarding federal holidays

It is not my intent “to have the last word”, but I believe it is important to make several comments regarding Mr. Cepeda’s last letter so as to allow the readers of the Tribune, as well as island community, to have the opportunity to place everything in the proper perspective.

My response to Mr. Cepeda’s letter about schools being open and classes being held on MLK was not “a clarification” of his letter, but rather a perspective that I felt needed to be brought to the forefront so that the island community would have a complete grasp on important points surrounding the issue of the MLK holiday.

If one took the time to research the calendars of all public and private schools throughout the United States, it would probably substantiate and confirm Mr. Cepeda’s analysis that “not all schools adhere to following the established federal holidays for MLK and America’s two most profound presidents.

However, as I indicated in a previous letter, the schools that are not honoring the established holidays are not respecting “federal law.” The public employees who work for any schools and/or agencies should have the benefit of the doubt and be paid for the federal holidays on the calendar, regardless of what Mr. Cepeda and/or the public school he worked for that apparently could careless about federal holidays, thinks.

Notwithstanding the fact my experience has not allowed me to witness a “public” school not honoring a federal holiday, I did not imply that it “dictated” what the realities were regarding the MLK holiday. Moreover, what I presented to the island community vis-à-vis a letter to the Tribune regarding the MLK holiday were not “half truths” as described by Mr. Cepeda; but rather, it was insight that he failed to include in his letter.

My intent to provide the insight was primarily to “add to” what Mr. Cepeda contributed, and not try and place him in a “bad light”.

The “backlash” regarding Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did take place between U.S. Senators, Congressmen, as well as people in the communities, prior to the dialogue making his birthday a holiday. The backlash did not reflect the “majority” of the U.S. Congress as the bill to honor him was passed in both houses. I believe that the backlash Mr. Cepeda referred to reflect those people at the school he worked for and remained open during the federal holidays, as well as the other disgruntled Americans, not compassionate about great men.

As far as “negative impact” in Washington regarding the CNMI not honoring MLK and President’s Day, just ask the Washington Representative Pete A. Tenorio what his response will be when a U.S. Senator comes up to him and asks why the CNMI does not wish to honor Washington, Lincoln, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on established federal holidays.

I am certain that the public school that Mr. Cepeda worked for on MLK day and/or President’s day reflects a “small percentage” of schools that are open and holding classes on the said federal holidays. If these schools remained open on “July 4th” or “Veterans Day” which are federal holidays, would it be fair to those employees who deserve to have “a paid holiday”?

Moreover, to say that the children will not gain any education by being home versus what they obtain in a class is ludicrous. Mr. Cepeda needs to understand that “education” does not come from just the classroom, but a home as well. If a parent does not do anything regarding education at home during a federal holiday and allows them to “watch TV and play outside” rather than get them involved with some “educational activities at home”, it does not justify saying that the holiday should not be honored.

It is an “expectation” that federal holidays be honored by public schools/ agencies and I don’t think anyone would go to jail if they held classes on those days. However, in my opinion, to hold classes on a day and require employees to work on days that are supposed to honor men who deserve to be honored, is showing a blatant disregard and disrespect for those individuals.

Mr. Cepeda does not need to concur with me on my views regarding federal holidays. However, it might behoove Mr. Cepeda to take the time to walk the streets of where he is stationed, as well as other parts of the country, and ask people if it is “disrespectful and absurd” to not honor our late presidents and MLK on days established by the federal government. I can’t speak for all Americans, but I would venture to say the majority of the people Mr. Cepeda encounters would respond with a “yes” it is “disrespectful and absurd” to not honor great men on established holidays.

Dr. Jesus D. Camacho
Delano, California