Rep. Lofgren & Salinas Student Announce House Resolution Honoring Farmworkers
SALINAS, CA – Today, during an event at Salinas City Hall, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Alisal High School student Melissa Zavala unveiled H. Res. 587, a Resolution that honors farmworkers and supports the designation of a National Farmworker Awareness Week.
The speakers emphasized that after the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst extreme heat across the country, it is more important than ever to acknowledge the hard and, oftentimes, risky work untaken by farmworkers to get food on our tables. The Resolution was inspired by a student meeting with members of the Mikva Challenge in Washington, DC, and it showcases effective young civic engagement.
“Earlier this year during a student meeting, Melissa, the daughter of farmworkers in the Salinas Valley, pointed out that there is no official national week to honor farmworkers and recognize the grueling work put in to sustain America’s food supply. She’s right, and that should change,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren. “I am proud to have worked with Melissa on this legislation to commend the contributions of farmworkers and designate National Farmworker Awareness Week. It’s a collaboration that showcases the importance of the next generation of leaders getting involved in the lawmaking process and the value of the millions of people who work the fields in our country every day. I thank Melissa for her partnership, and I urge my colleagues to support this, frankly, overdue recognition.”
“My community is based on agriculture, and I believe my parents and other farmworkers should receive more credit and more respect for their careers. I told Representative Zoe Lofgren this. I also told the Congresswoman that it would be a great idea to give our farmworkers a week of representation and appreciation. She agreed, and I worked with her on a House Resolution, and I am very proud of that,” said Melissa Zavala. “While I am only 16 years old, I’m honored to be discussing such an important topic that I am passionate about with my Representative and my community. I think it is really important for leaders to listen to youth because we can possibly make the kind of change that we are all wishing for.”
The full text of H. Res. 587 follows after the supportive quotes and can be downloaded here.
Support
"We're thrilled to celebrate the advocacy of Melissa Zavala and are very proud to support Congresswoman Lofgren with her Resolution to honor our hardworking filed workers here in Salinas," said Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig.
“Melissa shared her call to action for honoring farmworkers during Mikva Challenge's Soapbox Nation Showcase, and then took her advocacy up to Capitol Hill through our National Youth Summit. Melissa's accomplishment is a powerful example of the importance of creating opportunities for young people to 'learn democracy by doing democracy!' and to honoring youth voice and expertise, which is Mikva Challenge's mission and vision exemplified!” said Verneé Green, CEO, Mikva Challenge.
"Student Action with Farmworkers is an organization based in Durham, North Carolina that has stood in solidarity with farmworkers and raised awareness about the issues they face for over three decades. We strongly support this resolution that brings farmworkers into the public consciousness and recognizes them for the skilled and dangerous labor they perform to bring food to our tables every single day,” said Victoria Nwankudu, grassroots organizer, Student Action with Farmworkers.
Resolution Text
Expressing support for the designation of the week of March 25 through March 31, 2024, as ‘National Farmworker Awareness Week.’
Whereas farmworkers are essential workers;
Whereas farmworkers provide invaluable and needed goods and services;
Whereas farmworkers are important and valued members of communities across the country;
Whereas farm work is often highly skilled, including operating complex machinery;
Whereas the Department of Agriculture estimates that agricultural and food employment accounts for 10 percent of employment in the United States;
Whereas farmworkers are at an increased risk of experiencing unsafe working conditions, including exposure to pesticides and extreme weather conditions, especially high heat;
Whereas farmworkers often have to wear long sleeves to protect themselves from pesticides, even during high heat;
Whereas the rate of illness and injury among agricultural employees is 37 times higher than the rate for nonagricultural workers;
Whereas farmworkers do not enjoy many labor protections enjoyed by other workers;
Whereas natural disasters often prevent farmworkers from receiving income for weeks or months;
Whereas, despite the above challenges, farmworkers have ensured a reliable food supply for the country, including during the COVID–19 pandemic;
Whereas a week of appreciation will help younger generations learn where their food comes from;
Whereas the Department of Labor and the Environmental Protection Agency have celebrated farmworkers during ‘‘National Farmworker Awareness Week’’;
Whereas ‘‘National Farmworker Awareness Week’’ recognizes the contributions of farmworkers who work in fields, packing, sorting, processing, and other related activities and the issues they face; and
Whereas the week of March 25 through March 31 is generally recognized as ‘‘National Farmworker Awareness Week’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
- supports the designation of ‘‘National Farmworker Awareness Week’’;
- recognizes the challenging conditions in which farmworkers work; and
- commends the significant contributions of farmworkers to our country.
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