R 212 |
2019 -- H 5980 Enacted 04/10/2019 |
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 |
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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LC002401 |
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