FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 2, 2013
CONTACT: AMY ALLEY (916) 319-2018
Governor Signs Bonta’s Filipino American
Farm Worker Bill, AB 123
State Board of Education Required to Provide State Curriculum on the Significant Role of
Filipino Americans in the California Farm Labor Movement
Dolores Huerta and Assemblymember Rob Bonta testify in support of AB 123
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) is proud to announce that
Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 123 today – a first-of-its-kind bill to require the state curriculum to
include the contributions of Filipino Americans to the farm labor movement in California. Bonta notes
that Governor Brown’s signature of the bill is the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of Filipino
American History Month, this October.
“The goal of AB 123 is to supplement California’s rich farm worker history with the contributions of the
Filipino American community. The Filipino American population composes the largest Asian
population in California and continues to grow; yet the story of Filipinos and their crucial efforts to the
farm labor movement is an untold part of California history,” explained Assemblymember Bonta.
“The historical significance of vastly influential leaders, such as César Chávez and Dolores Huerta,
are rightfully synonymous with California’s farm labor movement. Generations of people who follow
their stories have benefited from their commitment to social and economic justice in innumerable
ways. Missing from the current curriculum are events such as the Delano Grape Strike of 1965, led by
the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), which was comprised of first generation
Filipino leaders (Philip Vera Cruz and Larry Itliong). A week following this strike, the National Farm
Workers Association, led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, combined forces with AWOC and by
-more-
the fall of 1966, the numbers grew to approximately 2,000---almost entirely Filipino and Mexican
workers, joined together in a powerful collaborative movement. The combined forces grew the
movement to approximately 10,000 by 1970.
“By signing AB 123, Governor Brown has made an unprecedented move to give students a more
complete account of California’s farm labor movement and ensure that these important leaders, such
as Philip Vera Cruz and Larry Itliong are remembered by future generations of Californians,”
explained Bonta.
Dolores Huerta, an iconic social justice and labor rights activist, spoke in support of the bill in
committee: “The students of California need to learn that the sacrifices made by both the Filipino and
Latino workers benefitted all Californians. AB 123 will ensure that the history is taught accurately.”
The bill is particularly important to Assemblymember Bonta because of his personal heritage and
history. Bonta was raised as a child in La Paz, the United Farm Workers’ headquarters, where his
parents organized Filipino American and Mexican American farm workers. Also, as the first Filipino
American elected to the California State Assembly and the Godson of José Gomez, Executive
Assistant to César Chávez, Bonta is committed to the cause of farm workers and ensuring that the
legacy of the farm workers is properly taught to the children of California.
Bonta concluded, “I am proud that Governor Brown recognizes the contributions of Filipinos to the
history of our state and country by signing AB 123 and including them in the history and social
sciences curriculum taught in California schools.”
Supporters of AB 123 include: Dolores Huerta (Co-Founder of the United Farm Workers of America), Tita Alice
Bulos (“grandmother” of Filipino American politics), United Farm Workers of America, California Teachers
Association, California Federation of Teachers, California School Boards Association, Afrikan Student Union at
UCLA, Alameda Councilmember Stewart Chen, Alameda Education Association, Alyansa Ng Mga Kababayan,
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, American Indian Student Association at
UCLA, Anakbayan East Bay, Anakbayan Los Angeles, Anakbayan San Diego, Anakbayan Seattle, Anakbayan
Silicon Valley, Asian Americans for Advancing Justice, Asian Americans for Civil Rights & Equality, Asian
American Drug Abuse Program, Asian Pacific Coalition at UCLA, Barkada of Santa Clara University, Belmont
High School Club Asian Sentinels Integration & Awareness, California Immigrant Policy Center, Cesar E.
Chavez High School Principal Ben De León, City of Berkeley, City of Carson Mayor Jim Dear, Cosmopolitan
United Church, Consulate General of the Philippines in San Francisco, Council of Philippine American
Organizations of San Diego County, Filipina Women’s Network, Filipino Advocates for Justice, Filipino
American Democratic Club of San Francisco, Filipino-American Educator Association of California, Filipino
American Educators Association of San Diego County, Filipino Barkada, Filipino Fiesta of Sacramento, Filipino
Memorial Project, Filipino Migrant Center, Filipinos Unifying Scientist-Engineers in an Organized Network,
Kababayan at UC Irvine, Kabataang Maka Bayan, Katipunan Pilipino Student Organization, KAYA Filipino
Americans for Progress, Laya Migrant Youth for Change and Action, Manilatown Heritage Foundation,
Methodist Federation for Social Action, Muslim Students Association at UCLA, National Federation of Filipino
American Associations, The People’s Education Movement, Philippine National Day Association, Pilipino
American Coalition, California State University, Long Beach, Pilipino American Society for Education, PilipinoAmericans in Social Studies at the University of California, Irvine, Pilipino Pre-Health Undergraduate Student
Organization, Samahang Pilipino at UCLA, University of the Philippines Alumni Association Sacramento &
Vicinity, Vietnamese Student Union at UCLA, and over two thousand individuals.
For more information about Assemblymember Bonta, AB 123, and his legislative package, visit:
http://asmdc.org/members/a18/legislation/2013-2014
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