2019 -- H 5980

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL 10TH OF 2019, TO BE "DOLORES HUERTA DAY" IN THE STATE

OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Tobon, Shekarchi, Maldonado, Barros, and Diaz

     Date Introduced: April 10, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Dolores Clara Fernandez was born in the mountains of northern New

Mexico, the daughter of Juan Feranández, a farm worker and miner by trade, who became a union

activist, and ultimately won a seat in the New Mexico Legislature; and

     WHEREAS, Growing up in California, Ms. Fernandez was raised by her mother Alicia, a

strong and independent woman, widely-known for her kindness and compassion to others, who

taught the young Dolores to respect cultural diversity and admire community involvement; and

     WHEREAS, As a student, Dolores became involved with numerous school clubs, was a

member of the Girl Scouts, and ultimately earned her provisional teaching credential from the

University of Pacific's Delta College in Stockton. She married Ralph Head and together the

couple had two daughters; and

     WHEREAS, As an organizer, serving in the leadership of the Stockton Community

Service Organization, Dolores founded the Agricultural Workers Association, set up voter

registration drives, and pressed local governments for barrio improvements which eventually led

to her launching the National Farm Workers Association with César E. Chávez in 1962; and

     WHEREAS, Dolores became an expert at lobbying and negotiating. In 1963, she secured

Aid For Dependent Families ("AFDC") and disability insurance for farm workers in the State of

California, was instrumental in the enactment of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975,

and consistently broke down one gender barrier after another; and

     WHEREAS, Directing the first National Boycott of California Table Grapes out of New

York, Dolores began actively challenging gender discrimination, advocating for entire family

participation in the farm movement, and expounding on the fact that women and children were

also in the fields with the men; and

     WHEREAS, Although an ardent advocate for non-violence, at the age of 58, Dolores was

struck at a protest, breaking four ribs and shattering her spleen. Following a long recovery, she

traveled the country for two years on behalf of the Feminist Majority's Feminization of Power:

50/50 by the year 2000 Campaign, encouraging Latina's to run for office, and also served as

National Chair of the 21st Century Party; and

     WHEREAS, At the age of 83, Dolores is still reaching out to others, teaches individuals

that they have personal power, speaks with students and organizations on issues of social justice

and public policy, and engages in campaigns and influences legislation that supports equality and

defends civil rights; and

     WHEREAS, The recipient of a plethora of awards and recognitions, Dolores was

presented with The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United

States, and The Eleanor Roosevelt Humans Rights Award. She has had four schools named in her

honor and has nine honorary doctorates from universities throughout the United States, to name

but a few; and

     WHEREAS, For most of her life, Dolores Huerta has fought an extraordinary battle to

ensure fair and safe work places for migrant workers, provide and encourage women to have a

voice in world affairs, and teach children to become involved in civic causes and their

communities. She is a teacher, a mother, a friend, a warrior, an organizer, and a peacemaker, and

she is truly deserving of our gratitude and highest esteem; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims April 10th of 2019, to be "Dolores Huerta Day" and

moreover wishes her good health and continued success in all her endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Dolores Huerta.

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