HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1906

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to recognizing the tenth day of April as Dolores Huerta day.

Brief Description: Recognizing the tenth day of April as Dolores Huerta day.

Sponsors: Representatives Ortiz-Self, Valdez, Ramos, Stonier, Doglio, Stanford, Reeves, Macri, Frame and Jinkins.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government & Tribal Relations: 2/20/19, 2/22/19 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/4/19, 62-34.

Passed Senate: 3/18/19, 44-0.

Passed Legislature.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Gregerson, Chair; Pellicciotti, Vice Chair; Appleton, Dolan, Hudgins, Mosbrucker and Smith.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Walsh, Ranking Minority Member; Goehner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member.

Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7105).

Background:

Dolores Huerta was born on April 10, 1930, in Dawson, New Mexico. She was a labor activist and a leader of the Chicano civil rights movement. She co-founded the Stockton chapter of the Community Service Organization, which led voter registration drives and fought for economic improvements of Hispanics. Dolores Huerta later co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, the predecessor of the United Farm Workers Association. Through her work at the United Farm Workers Association, she organized workers, negotiated contracts, and advocated for safer working conditions and healthcare benefits for agricultural workers. Dolores Huerta's work led to the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, which allowed farm workers to form unions and bargain for better wages and conditions.

Washington recognizes 10 specific days and all Sundays as state legal holidays. Another 15 specific days are recognized by the Legislature that recognize an event, individual, or groups of persons, but are not considered legal holidays. Individuals with dates of recognition include Mother Joseph, Marcus Whitman, and Cesar Chavez.

Summary of Bill:

April 10 is recognized as Dolores Huerta Day, but is not considered a legal holiday.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Currently, California recognizes Dolores Huerta Day. There has been requests from women across the nation and the state to expand the number of states that recognize this day. Dolores Huerta is an example of someone who came from a humble background, pulled herself up, and made sure to give back to others. She stood up for the rights of women in the agricultural field and was dedicated to her work for the rights of immigrants and farm workers. She helped to bring dignity to the work of farm workers.

She was also an educator and taught students about the importance of building community and developing the use of nonviolence as a way of life. She taught others to not assume that because a person does not have formal education, they cannot do the work before them. She lived a life invested in humanity.

Dolores Huerta was awarded the highest civilian award in the nation when President Obama bestowed upon her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This bill would recognize a woman of color and someone who was a role model to others.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Ortiz-Self, prime sponsor; Eric Gonzalez Alfaro, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington; Bernal Baca, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; and Dr. Nyla Rosen, Fatima Chaudhary, and Isaac Sotelo Gonzalez, Institute for Community Leadership.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.