Speech #920222110

If we go down to the 15 year old vote or the 13 year old vote. a lot of politicians are going to be in a hell of trouble. I would like to talk about Zavala County. the county we live in. The reason I brought some expert witnesses with me Is because they are migrant children and they have been on the migrant trail for some time. I left the migrant stream because of the undeclared war in Korea. That was my chance to change my cotton picking sack for a navy blue suit. If it hadnt been for that police action over there perhaps I would still be in the migrant trail. The other reason I am bringing out Zavala County and Crystal City which is the county seat. is because there are many Crystal Citys throughout the southern part of the United States. Whether they are black. or brown or white. this is the home base for many migrant families. Zavala County is an area frequently referred to as "Mexican Appalachia." Zavala County has a population of 11.400. Its county seat. Crystal City. has approximately 8.500 inhabitants. The population varies from season to season due to the migration of large numbers of Chicanos going north to harvest crops during the spring and summer months. According to 1970 United States Census data. 74% of the population (all Chicano) annually leave Zavala County to join the migrant stream in April. staying away nearly six months until early October when Zavalas winter vegetable growing and processing season begins. The main industry of this area is spinach farming. There is one canning factory and a few locally owned businesses. The Chicanos have been hit hard by automation. and more and more are migrating to nonautomated areas or falling out of the migrant stream and remaining behind in Crystal City permanently. Fortyfour (44%) percent of the families have been reported as earning less than $3.000.00 per year. but the true figure is unquestionably closer to 75% of Zavalas families. after adjustment is made for those not in residence or not tabulated during the recent Census. and for those who have not used the services of local agencies. The average annual income of Crystal City Is $1.500.00.