Events Celebrating Farmworker Housing and Honoring Cesar Chavez held at State Capitol

Salem, Ore.--Yesterday, a Celebration of Farmworker Housing was held at the Oregon State Capitol. The event was in celebration of Oregon’s progress in improving the quality of housing for the state’s agricultural workforce. It also marked the 10th Anniversary of the Farm Worker Housing Tax Credit.

Those speaking during the celebration included Ken Bailey of Orchard View Farms, Inc. and Past Chair of the Oregon Board of Agriculture, Rick Crager, Acting Director, Oregon Housing and Community Services, Peter Hainley, Executive Director of CASA and Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA, Oregon's Statewide Immigrant Rights Coalition.

During the event, speakers echoed that although there is much for people to celebrate,  there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in the area of Farm Worker justice.

Following the celebration, those in attendance moved to the Governor’s office for a ceremony and reading of Governor Kitzhaber’s Proclamation honoring  farmworker, labor leader, and civil rights activist Cesar E. Chavez. The proclamation was presented and read by Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown.

Pastor Dan Bryant from Eugene First Christian Church, Frank Garcia, Director of the Governor’s Affirmative Action Office, State Superintendent Susan Castillo, and State Senator Diane Rosenbaum also spoke on the important and inspiring work of Chavez and his continuing legacy.

In addition to honoring the life and work of Cesar Chavez, the Governor's Proclamation also makes March 22nd through April 2nd Annual Farm Worker Awareness Week.

Posted in: Cesar E. Chavez,Farm Worker Awareness Week,Farm Workers,Governor Kitzhaber,Oregon