BILL NUMBER: SR 46ENROLLED 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.