HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99-4651, by Representatives Van Luven, Veloria, Dunn, Eickmeyer, Radcliff, Ballasiotes, Miloscia, Morris, D. Sommers, Wolfe and Gombosky

     WHEREAS, The agricultural crops produced in the state of Washington during World War II proved to be a critical difference between winning the war or losing the war; and

     WHEREAS, Washington farmers faced a dual challenge during World War II to produce food for domestic consumption and for our armed forces and our allies abroad; and

     WHEREAS, An award winning book, Mexican Labor in World War II, by Washington State author Dr. Erasmo Gamboa has now brought to light the major contributions made by Mexican agricultural laborers in Washington State during the war; and

     WHEREAS, Between 1943 and 1947 the nation's acute labor shortage necessitated the recruitment of approximately 15,200 workers from Mexico, called Braceros, to save our state's crops and stabilize our agricultural industry; and

     WHEREAS, It is appropriate and deserving to bring recognition to the untold sacrifices and contributions by the Mexican men who traveled far from their homeland to come to Washington State as unsung heros to harvest the food that graced our tables at home and sustained our fighting men and women on the war front; and

     WHEREAS, The Mexican worker now stands as an important symbol of dedication, discipline, courage, hard work, perseverance, and patriotism; and

     WHEREAS, The historical contributions of Mexican farm laborers during World War II now stands as an important part of our state's proud history;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington recognize and honor the legacy and the critical role that Mexican farm laborers played and continue to play in making our state's important agricultural industry successful; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the Consul General of Mexico, the Washington State Historical Society, the Washington State Apple Commission, and the Washington State Farm Bureau.

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