U.S. NEWSWIRE

May 9, 2007

Farmworker Justice Praises Rep. Baca's Leadership on Farm Bill

WASHINGTON -- Farmworker Justice today praised Representative Joe Baca (news, bio, voting record) (D-CA) for his leadership in highlighting farm worker issues in the upcoming Farm Bill. Rep. Baca, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the chair of the Agriculture subcommittee on Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry, recently sponsored a Capitol briefing to address the interests of the Latino community in the Farm Bill.

"Rep. Baca is a longstanding friend of Farmworker Justice (FJ) who understands the plight of the more than 1.5 million migrant and seasonal farmworkers," said Bruce Goldstein, Executive Director of Farmworker Justice. "As Congress prepares to reshape our nation's Farm bill, the future for farmworkers and their children is at stake. That is why Rep. Baca's commitment to improving the living and working conditions of farmworkers and giving them a stronger voice in agricultural policy is so vital."

Farmworker Justice is calling for expanded pesticide safety protections in the Farm Bill and to develop research to increase our knowledge about how to protect farmworkers and their families from unnecessary exposure to toxic pesticides on farms and in rural communities. FJ Executive Director Goldstein seeks to educate members of Congress on America's long history of promoting policies that keep farmworkers in perpetual poverty.

"Farmworker Justice applauds the leadership of Rep. Baca and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for working to ensure a safe and prosperous agricultural sector for our nation's farmworkers, the people who put fruits and vegetables on our tables," said Goldstein.

Farmworker Justice is a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower migrant and seasonal farmworkers to improve their living and working conditions, immigration status, health, occupational safety, and access to justice. Using a multi-faceted approach, Farmworker Justice engages in litigation, administrative and legislative advocacy, training and technical assistance, coalition-building, public education and support for union organizing.