I am writing to let you know some disturbing news about the intended
CANCELLATION of the National Agricultural Worker Survey (NAWS) by the
Bureau of Labor. There is a very narrow window of opportunity for
immediate response--PLEASE write your congressman and senators, the
Secretary of Labor and Assistant Secretary for Policy (contact
information below) regarding the importance of NAWS. This is the ONLY
national source of data we have on farmworkers, and the government,
through various agencies, has been collecting data on farmworkers
since 1944. With recommendations from many agencies to enhance our
surveillance of special populations, this would be a huge blow and
step backward. Please see the following URL for supporting
information on the NAWS.
http://www.aguirreinternational.com/naws/naws_info.pdf

The person at the Department of Labor who is in charge of the NAWS is
Veronica Vargas-Stidvent who is the Assistant Secretary for Policy.
Her contact information is:
Veronica Vargas-Stidvent
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Suite S-2312
Washington, D.C. 20210
By Phone (202) 693-5959
By FAX (202) 693-5961

Thank you,
Sharon Cooper


Sharon Cooper, Ph.D.
Professor and Head
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health
3000 Briarcrest, Suite 300
Bryan, TX 77802