ISSUE 1106 FFVA
FIGHTS FOR GUESTWORKER PROGRAM Wednesday
(March 15) is the day when FFVA will join with other agricultural representatives
for a March on Capitol Hill to draw lawmakers’ attention to workable immigration
reform. FFVA’s Walter Kates, director, Labor Division, is among those who
will be urging Congress to include a reasonable guest worker program in any legislation
it passes. Late in 2005, the House of Representatives passed a bill that calls for increased penalties on employers, requires electronic ID verification and has no provisions for guest workers. The bill, in its current form, could drastically harm producers of fruits and vegetables as well as make anyone assisting an undocumented worker a criminal. In
addition to leading efforts on the labor front, FFVA met last week with members
and staff from Florida's congressional delegation urging support for funding of
new research positions at the USDA Ft. Pierce research lab. Additionally, FFVA
urged funding to add Florida to the USDA's fruit and vegetable school snack program.
Currently 14 states receive program funding for providing fresh produce to students free of charge, which promotes consumption of fruits and vegetables and helps establish healthy eating habits at an early age. ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S RAP-UP (Members-Only articles are indicated in bold.) | |
