Funeral Arrangements for Jorge Herrera,
5th farm worker to die this year due to heat
Thirty seven year old Jorge Herrera was buried today leaving behind his wife and two young children who live in Delano.
His passing marks the 14th death of a farm worker due to heat-related illness since Gov. Schwarzenegger took office.
Herrera died July 31 in a Bakersfield hospital three weeks after collapsing from heat stroke while loading table grapes at Vignolo Vineyards. Herrera had a core body temperature of 108 degrees when he was taken to the hospital.
“This summer will be remembered as the black summer for farm workers. Jorge’s death marks the fifth worker to die in just under three months. How many more must die or fall gravely ill before the Governor realizes not enough is being done to protect farm workers,” said Arturo S. Rodriguez, UFW President.
A rosary was held yesterday, August 6 at Delano Mortuary, 707 Browning Rd., Delano.
A funeral Mass was held this morning, Thursday, Aug. 7, at 9 a.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1015 Clinton St., Delano. Burial will follow at Delano Cemetery.
UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez was among the hundreds who attended the rosary and funeral mass.
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