[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 124 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE IS IN CRISIS DUE TO LABOR SHORTAGE

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                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 1998

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress from the San 
Joaquin Valley of California, I am proud to represent the two largest 
agricultural producing counties in the United States. Currently, a 
severe shortage of labor is raising concern over the economic future of 
the agriculture community throughout California. Agricultural 
production is nearly a $25 billion industry in the State, and 
California has the largest agricultural economy in the Nation. Right 
now, farmers are competing for the same scarce labor force as the 
raisin, table and wine grape harvest is entering its peak and tree 
fruit growers are also harvesting in California. Simultaneously, apple 
farmers are beginning to pick their fruit in the State of Washington 
and are in need of labor. California has not seen a labor shortage of 
this magnitude since World War II.
  The agricultural community has worked with numerous San Joaquin 
Valley Social Services Departments and Employment Development 
Departments to provide needed labor from individuals who are unemployed 
or entering the workforce after receiving welfare. Such actions have 
failed to supply adequate labor for harvest.
  The agricultural labor situation can be alleviated through action by 
the Federal Government. Under a reformed agricultural worker program, 
substantial opportunities will be given to foreign workers who can 
often earn significantly more in the United States than in their own 
country. Such reform reduces illegal immigration by creating a 
streamlined process to temporarily legalize individuals who choose to 
work in the agricultural sector of the United States.
  I am working to include the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits 
and Security Act, authored by Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), in the final 
conference language of the Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary 
appropriations measure. The act was approved as an amendment to S. 
2260, the Senate Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary appropriations 
bill. It passed by a bipartisan vote of 68-31 in the Senate. Related 
House legislation did not contain the agricultural worker provision. 
The Senate measure establishes a national registry within the 
Department of Labor to track agricultural job seekers. Employers are 
required to first hire domestic workers from the registry and are able 
to hire foreign workers if domestic workers are not available. Housing 
or a housing allowance must be provided by growers, and the prevailing 
wage rate must be paid. The prevailing wage rate is the mid-point of 
all wages earned, and it is always higher than the minimum wage.
  On behalf of the farmers in the San Joaquin Valley in California, I 
urge the Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary conferees to include 
the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act in the 
final bill. I also strongly encourage all Members of the House to 
support its passage. A stable, reliable and affordable food supply is 
dependent upon congressional approval of this measure.

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