EDWARDS CALLS ON PRESIDENT BUSH TO DECLARE A FEDERAL EMERGENCY IN AREAS IN CALIFORNIA AFFECTED BY THE JANUARY CITRUS FREEZE
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards sent the following letter to President Bush, calling on him to declare a federal emergency in the areas in California affected by the citrus freeze. Yesterday, Edwards met with United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez and citrus farm workers to discuss the many struggles facing farm workers today, including the citrus freeze.
Senator Edwards sent the following letter to President Bush:
Dear President Bush,
America was built by men and women who worked in the fields and labored with their hands. Their labor made our nation great, and their labor keeps us strong today. Now, tens of thousands of workers are in desperate need of help.
A deep freeze in California in January damaged citrus crops and left citrus farm workers without jobs and without hope. These workers are struggling to pay their bills, and unemployment benefits are not enough for them to make their rent and put food on the table. You have the power to help them now – please use it.
You should immediately declare a federal emergency in the areas affected by the freeze so these workers can get the help they deserve. Federal disaster assistance would provide relief to thousands of workers trying to take care of their families.
The time for action is now. Please do the right thing and stand with the workers that make our country great.
Sincerely,
John Edwards
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