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-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Goldstein [mailto:bgoldstein@...]
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:33 PM
To: fj@...
Subject: AgJOBS Update: Congress Members Announce Introduction of Bill


AgJOBS Update -- Farmworker Justice www.farmworkerjustice.org -- Jan.
10,
2007

Press Conference Announces Introduction of AgJOBS Bill in Senate and
House

Dear Friends,

Today, January 10, 2007, Senators and House Members, joined by the
United
Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez, National Council of La Raza
President Janet Murguia and representatives of agribusiness, held a
press
conference to announce the introduction of the AgJOBS farmworker
immigration
bill in both houses of Congress.

From the Senate, speakers included: Feinstein (D-Cali.), Craig
(R-Idaho)
Kennedy (D-Mass.), and Boxer (D.-Cal.). Other original cosponsors will
include Sen. Mel Martinez (R.-Fla.).

From the House, speakers included Rep. Howard Berman, Rep. Radanovich
(R.-Calif.). Rep. Chris Cannon (R.-Utah), could not be there but is
once
again an active supporter of AgJOBS.

In addition to Arturo Rodriguez and Janet Murguia, speakers were: Tony
Scully a farmer of pears in Lake County, CA, who was featured in a
front-page New York Times article about labor shortages that caused a
large
loss of crop last year; Kelly Henggeler, an Idaho apple grower and
packer,
and Chairman of the U.S. Apple Association.

The bill, which is named the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits
and
Security Act of 2007, is being filed today and will be given bill
numbers.
(This is the 110th Congress and bills must be filed anew.). The
version of
AgJOBS introduced today is substantially the same as the version passed
last
year by the Senate, with some minor adjustments to the work
requirements.
We will be sending out a summary of the 2007 AgJOBS bill and will also
be
posting it on our webpage.

All the speakers discussed the need to move forward promptly in 2007 to
pass
AgJOBS, either as a stand-alone bill or as part of comprehensive
immigration
reform. They spoke about the impressively broad coalition of
organizations
and people that support AgJOBS. The press conference was very effective
and
we hope for good coverage in the media.

One important development that Rep. Adam Putnam (R.-Fla.), chair of the
Republican Policy Committee, and therefore a leader of the Republican
Party
in the House, has signed on as an original cosponsor of the bill. His
support increases

Several organizations sent statements in support of AgJOBS. These
include
Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN), the National Farmworker
Alliance, and Farmworker Justice.

Farmworker Justice welcomes the reintroduction of AgJOBS and thanks
Senators
Kennedy, Feinstein and Craig, and other supporters of AgJOBS for their
efforts.

Message from Sen. Feinstein on what can you do to help pass
AgJOBS

Sen. Feinstein, who chaired the well-attended press conference, urged
AgJOBS
supporters to contact not only their own Senators and Representatives,
but
the leadership of both political parties in both bodies of Congress. We
will be sending out talking points that you may use when you call their
offices (but you could send a simple message stating that you urge
Congress
to pass the AgJOBS farmworker immigration legislation now). Contact
information for your Senators can be found at the following web address:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm .
Contact
information for your Representative can be found at the following web
address: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml .

When we know bill numbers and, later on, schedules for consideration of
AgJOBS, we will let you know. Thanks again. There are many reasons to
believe that AgJOBS can pass Congress in 2007 if the coalition remains
active. This press conference was a good kick-off to the campaign.

Bruce Goldstein
Executive Director
Farmworker Justice
1010 Vermont Ave., N.W., Suite 915
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-783-2628 ext. 203
www.farmworkerjustice.org

On about Jan. 18, we will relocate our office to
1126 16th St., N.W., Suite 270
Washington, D.C. 20036

Our phone numbers will also change.