Speech #890038535

Speaker. much debate has dealt with the large numbers of Mexican nationals going into the rich fields of California and with the presence in Florida of migratory farmers from Puerto Rico and from the British West Indies. The introduction of legislation to extend the bracero program for years on end is the last thing and is furthest from my mind. I do believe. however. that under the existing limits of the law which expired last year. it is now the intent of Congress that if the Secretary of Labor finds hardship in any area of America where immigrant. imported labor is no longer permitted. under the statute he may certify such hardship and will thus effect the importation of qualified numbers for specific lengths of time in the particular areas of America where such labor will thus avoid a hardship. Mr. Speaker. the sugarbeet companies with plants in Wyoming have cooperated over the years with research agencies. the extension people everywhere. in an effort to develop agricultural techniques and farming materials which may reduce the necessity for stoop labor in the thinning process of the sugarbeet industry. It is my hope that machinery will soon be developed which will eliminate the need for any human being. foreigner or American. to have to engage in the topping. loading. and delivery of sugarbeets from the fields to the factories. This is menial. difficult labor and it will be a great day for mankind when this labor can be eliminated. as it was when the blasting of coal from the face of the seams in the great coal fields was ended. and machines replaced the human being and the animal. in this function. I rise today to say that a 12hour day in the fields by a Mexican national is just as difficult as a 12hour day by anyone else. whether engaged in by the bracerosthe good worker from Mexicoor whether it is engaged in by the farmers of Wyoming whose concerns are just as vital to our economy as is the slowing up of the migrant from Mexico in this regard. The sugarbeet farmer and his role in the economy of this Nation is what is of vital concern today. and what warrants an exception made now for a certification of import labor in my particular State.