Bronze sculptures of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta were erected above a pizzeria on Wednesday morning in downtown Napa, California.

The Napa Valley Register reports the 9-foot tall figures were sponsored by building owner Michael L. Holcomb to be placed above Velo Pizzeria on Main Street in the northern California city.

The statues gaze out across nearby Veterans Memorial Park toward the hills in the east.

Mexican-Americans Chavez and Huerta were labor leaders and civil rights activists, whose work was instrumental in securing higher wages and better working conditions for field workers. In 1964, the two co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which went on to become the modern day United Farm Workers union.

Holcomb said that that the statues were meant to pay homage to the Latino labor force in the U.S., whose work often goes unnoticed.

"We know all about George Yount and Robert Mondavi, but a lot of people contributed to this valley to whom no credit has been given," Holcomb told the Napa Valley Register. "Right now, we have a major divide, and I think someone should represent the Hispanic community in Napa."

Holcomb went on to say, despite making up 40 percent of the American population, Latinos rarely receive recognition for their contributions.

"My kids are half Mexican, my grandkids one-quarter or three-quarters Mexican," said Holcomb, whose wife was born in Monterrey, Mexico. "I want them to go downtown and see not only one side of their heritage, but the other side."

Holcomb and artist Mario Chiodo orginally presented the statues during a March celebration in honor of Chavez and Huerta.

Huerta arrived to speak at the festival. The 85-year-old is still very active in the labor-rights movement.

Holcomb said that although the statues were designed to be moved to various venues, he believes the sculptures will stay put above Velo Pizzeria for a long time.

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