Senate Resolution No. 1821

BY: Senator RAMOS

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 31, 2026, as Farmworkers Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, Our nation is a symbol of democracy, peace, freedom and
justice born out of the many men and women who have fought for and died
to preserve it; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 31, 2026, as
Farmworkers Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of farm workers bravely and fiercely led a
movement to advocate for the basic rights and humanity of farmworkers;
and

WHEREAS, On May 19, 1970, the California Rural Legal Assistance
(CRLA) reached an understanding to not form or attempt to form any
agriculture worker's union; CRLA recognized that its function was to
serve the rural poor, not as union organizers, advisors, or negotiators,
but as a law firm concerned with legal matters; and

WHEREAS, Therefore, with respect to those class matters involving
farm work employment, including wages and fringe benefits, pesticides,
discrimination against union workers, field conditions, working
conditions, farm pollution problems, water, farm labor contractors,
green card and illegal entrant, agriculture employers and agri-business,
and subsidies, CRLA agreed to consult before any action was taken; and

WHEREAS, Five years later, the California Agricultural Labor
Relations Act (CALRA), a landmark statute, enacted by the State of
California, became law on June 5, 1975, establishing collective
bargaining for farm workers in that state; this agreement was reached on
May 19, 1975, on a compromise bill; and

WHEREAS, When the Community Services Organization refused to
organize farmworkers in 1962, it led to the creation of the United Farm
Workers Union with leaders like Dolores Huerta and Larry Itliong; the
bylaws were approved by the AFL-CIO in 1966; and

WHEREAS, The Farmworker movement believed in and carried out this
struggle, adhering to the principles of non-violence; their many acts of
protest and, particularly, fasting served to unify the workers, alert
America to the dangers of pesticides and stimulate the conscience and
support of many in our nation; and

WHEREAS, The family of the State of New York commemorates and honors
farmworkers as champions of democracy and human rights; their legacy
remains in the hearts and minds of many, as their ongoing fight against
oppression and discrimination continues; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting that New York, which passed the Farm Laborers
Fair Labor Practices Act in 2019 to support equal protections for farm
workers under the law, joins in honoring the continued perseverance of
the farmworkers movement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 31, 2026, as
Farmworkers Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.