We scored major progress for the UFW and farm worker movement during the first five months of 2011. Among the victories were the California Legislature passing SB 104, the Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act, on a 51-25 vote May 16, and sending the bill to Gov. Jerry Brown. Gallo of Sonoma’s 370 grape workers re-negotiated their UFW contract with one of America’s largest wineries, scoring important gains. The National Park Service designated our "Forty Acres" complex outside Delano as a National Historical Landmark and a state historic commission just nominated La Paz at Keene, Calif. for the National Historic Registry. At the suggestion of mostly Latino shipyard workers in San Diego, the Navy announced the naming of USNS Cesar Chavez, a noncombatant, unarmed supply ship. And San Antonio, Texas city council members voted to name a major downtown street Cesar Chavez Blvd. As we continue preparing for the historic 50th anniversary of the UFW in 2012, we’re grateful for the engagement, help and support from so many people across the country. We look forward to much more progress in the remainder of this year.
Si Se Puede!
Arturo S Rodriguez
President