Speech #980210742

I am pleased. however. that the Agriculture Committee adopted an amendment which addresses the special needs of producers of perishable commodities. This amendment. designed to insure the perishable fruit and vegetable industry an adequate and dependable work force. establishes a special agricultural employment program available only to these producers. In my view. the Agriculture Committee amendment recognizes the economic realities of the agricultural sector of our economy which has come to rely on undocumented workers as a valuable source of labor. growers in my district. for example. hire illegal aliens because they are available and because. for the most part. Americans will not do the backbreaking and tedious work required. Without this modification. many fruit and vegetable producers would find it difficult to fill any labor gaps which may result from the legalization and employer sanctions provisions of H.R. 1510.