BILL NUMBER: SR 46	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	ADOPTED IN SENATE  SEPTEMBER 10, 2015
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 27, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senators Hueso and Wolk

                        AUGUST 27, 2015

   Relative to Farmworker Appreciation Day


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
             HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



   WHEREAS, The inexhaustible efforts of millions of farmworkers have
contributed greatly to the success of the agricultural industry; and

   WHEREAS, California's agricultural production helps feed the
nation and the rest of the world, and fuels the state's economy; and
   WHEREAS, Farmworkers in California contribute significantly to our
agricultural accomplishments by toiling in fields through harsh and
extreme weather conditions, growing, harvesting, and preparing goods
for markets and destinations in the United States and abroad; and
   WHEREAS, With less than 1 percent of California's population
engaging in farming and agriculture, each agricultural worker today
provides for more than 100 other people, compared to just 13 people
in 1947; and
   WHEREAS, For over 50 consecutive years, California has been the
number one agricultural state in the nation. California is also
currently the number one dairy state in the nation, and produces 50
percent of the nation's supply of fruits, nuts, and vegetables; and
   WHEREAS, Today's agricultural industry offers over 300 challenging
and rewarding career opportunities, from on-farm cultivation to food
science and engineering; and
   WHEREAS, California is the nation's leader in agricultural
exports, shipping more than $16 billion worth of food and
agricultural commodities around the world in 2011; and
   WHEREAS, California consumers say it is important to them to
purchase foods grown in California, and that "California grown" is
more important to them today than in previous years. In the last
decade, California consumers have increased support of farmers'
markets, community-supported agricultural programs, and
farm-to-school programs; and
   WHEREAS, California's agriculture also plays a unique and vital
role in the economic strength of the state, providing for nearly one
in 10 jobs and more than $100 billion in production and related
economic activity; and
   WHEREAS, In 2013, California's 77,900 farms and ranches received
$46.4 billion for their output, and more than 26 percent of those
farms generated commodity sales over $100,000, greater than the
national average of 19 percent; and
   WHEREAS, California's farmers also contribute to the creation of
products related to manufacturing, health care, printing, education,
recreation, transportation, entertainment, construction, and personal
care; and
   WHEREAS, For many farmworkers, the American dream means a life of
self-sacrifice, hard work, and perseverance; and
   WHEREAS, To many Californians, the plight of farmworkers is an
issue from the past, a belief perpetuated by the fact that farmworker
suffering typically takes place in remote areas far from cities,
thereby rendering farmworkers invisible to our society; and
   WHEREAS, The fruits and vegetables that we enjoy in our daily
lives are produced by farmworkers who often endure long hours of
backbreaking work and who face challenges such as inadequate
enforcement of pesticide, safety, and labor protection laws in the
fields; and
   WHEREAS, Farmworkers dream of providing a better life for their
children, but the reality of having to move from crop to crop makes
this dream hard to achieve, and economic forces and the rising cost
of living have pushed farmworkers further into poverty; and
   WHEREAS, It is appropriate for all Californians to say "thank you"
to our farmers and farmworkers for providing a bounty to our nation
and entire world; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
hereby declares September 3, 2015, as Farmworker Appreciation Day to
honor the men and women of agriculture and to promote an
understanding of California's agricultural industry; and be it
further
   Resolved, That the Senate calls upon all Californians to recognize
the hard work and self-sacrifice that farmworkers go through to feed
all the families in our state; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.