SENATE GEARS UP FOR RETURN - IMMIGRATION REFORM DOMINATES

As the U.S. Senate prepares to return to the Hill after its spring recess Monday (April 24), immigration reform dominates the picture. A compromise measure, by Senators Mel Martinez, R-Fla., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., would give agriculture workers who lack proper immigration status an opportunity to apply for legal status in the United States under certain provisions. The Senate had adjourned for recess after a procedural move blocked the bill’s progress.

 

Sen. Martinez says he has commitments from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter that the immigration bill would come up again by May 4. Sen. Martinez hopes the committee can quickly send it back to the full Senate without further amendments. “In the meantime, please call [Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid] and tell him how important this bill is for you,” he told agricultural leaders and immigration advocates in a conference call Wednesday (April 19).

 

The Martinez-Hagel compromise reiterates much of the same language already contained in a comprehensive bill that the Judiciary Committee had approved March 27 and another measure sponsored by Senators John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., establishing a guest-worker program and provisions to put illegal immigrants on a path toward permanent legal status.

 

While still subject to change, the current bill contains language that creates a specific program for agricultural workers that is similar to the AgJobs legislation. The Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2006, or AgJOBS, takes a two-part approach to ensuring farmers access to a legal labor force. AgJOBS would overhaul a 50-year-old guest worker program known as H-2A to make it easier and more affordable to use. Presently, H-2A provides only two percent of agriculture's labor force.

"MEDITERRANEAN" DIET MAY HELP PROTECT AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S

A new Columbia University study says that a Mediterranean-style diet that may cut the risk of heart disease may also help protect against Alzheimer's disease.

Those in the study who followed the diet were up to 40 percent less likely than the others to develop Alzheimer's.

The diet includes eating lots of vegetables, fruits, cereals and fish, and limiting intake of meat and dairy products. Previous research indicates that the diet can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Scientists involved in the study say that although more research must be done before the diet can be recommended to ward off Alzheimer's, the results fit in with growing evidence that things that are bad for our heart turn out to be bad for our brain.

The work was recently published online by the Annals of Neurology.

UFFVA AND INTERNATIONAL FRESH CUT PRODUCE ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE MERGER PLANS

The International Fresh-cut Produce Association and the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association announced Wednesday (April 19) their intent to combine forces. A letter to United's members said the merger was proposed "to better meet today's critical challenges facing the produce industry."

"This is a merger of two strong, independent and respected associations and a major step forward for both IFPA and United members, and the entire produce industry," said IFPA Chairman Mark Miller, Fresh From Texas, San Antonio, TX.

An electronic ballot seeking endorsement of each board's action was sent to the voting members of each association, with results of that vote to be reported on May 6 at the United Produce Show in Chicago. If approved, the Boards of IFPA and United have authorized their respective officers and executive staff to complete the legal requirements necessary to execute the merger as soon as possible. The resulting organization will be called the United Fresh Produce Association.

 

SEEKING 100 INNOVATIVE IDEAS FOR FLORIDA'S FUTURE

The Florida House of Representatives is sponsoring a website to collect ideas for future legislation. Click on http://www.100ideas.org to read ideas already submitted by Floridians and to add your own. You may also submit ideas to individual representatives. Click here to find yours.