Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON –  Today members of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, led by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), sent a letter to President Obama urging him to award Dolores Huerta the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award. The letter was signed by Senator Menendez, Chairman of the Hispanic Task Force, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Senator John Kerry (D-MA), and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). In their letter, the Senators emphasized Dolores Huerta's lifetime commitment to service and social justice, as well as her advocacy and work on behalf of farm workers and their families.

"Born during the uncertainty of the Great Depression, Ms. Huerta's commitment to service and social justice began to surface in her early years in Stockton High School.  After founding the Agricultural Workers Association in 1960, setting up voter registration drives, and fighting for the rights of tenants, Ms. Huerta joined Cesar Chavez to become a civil rights pioneer and champion of social and economic equality for farm workers and an agriculture community composed of Mexican, Filipino, African-American, Japanese, and Chinese working families.  In 1968, she coordinated the East Coast table grape boycott, which was instrumental in helping get recognition for the farm workers' union. Through her role as a civil rights advocate, Ms. Huerta was instrumental to the enactment of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975—the first law in the country to grant farm workers the right to collectively organize and bargain for better wages and working conditions."

Read a PDF of the letter online.

Full text of the letter:

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.  20500

Dear President Obama:

As Members of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, we respectfully urge you to award Dolores Huerta, a living icon of America's civil rights movement, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  Ms. Huerta's commitment to the cause of freedom is well known all across America. Together with Cesar Chavez, Huerta founded the National Farm Workers Association, which eventually grew to become the United Farm Workers – our nation's first successful farm workers union.  Dolores Huerta truly embodies the meritorious contribution to the security and national interest to our nation that the Presidential Medal of Freedom honors.

Born during the uncertainty of the Great Depression, Ms. Huerta's commitment to service and social justice began to surface in her early years in Stockton High School.  After founding the Agricultural Workers Association in 1960, setting up voter registration drives, and fighting for the rights of tenants, Ms. Huerta joined Cesar Chavez to become a civil rights pioneer and champion of social and economic equality for farm workers and an agriculture community composed of Mexican, Filipino, African-American, Japanese, and Chinese working families.  In 1968, she coordinated the East Coast table grape boycott, which was instrumental in helping get recognition for the farm workers' union. Through her role as a civil rights advocate, Ms. Huerta was instrumental in the enactment of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975—the first law in the country to grant farm workers the right to collectively organize and bargain for better wages and working conditions.

There is no doubt that Dolores Huerta's achievements are a testament to her dedication and passion for the betterment of Latino workers, their families and the working American community as a whole.  Today, as an 80 year-old grandmother of 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, Ms. Huerta continues to work tirelessly developing the next generation of leaders, advocating for working poor, women and children through the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

It is, therefore, fitting that the woman who has touched and changed the lives of so many working Americans be awarded the highest civilian award this nation has to offer.  We believe there is no one more deserving of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.