A bill introduced by newly elected California Assemblyman Ron Bonta would make it mandatory for schools to teach about the contributions of Filipino Americans to the California Farm worker movement, reports Foundasian.
“As the first Filipino American elected to the California State Assembly, I am excited to have the opportunity to provide a voice for the Filipino American community.” said Bonta.
“The names and historical significance of vastly influential leaders in the farm labor movement – such as Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz – are unknown to the general public. California residents need to learn about the pioneering efforts of Filipino farm laborers and leaders in instigating the 1965-1970 Delano Grape Strike, which helped launch the American farm labor movement. AB 123 would give students a more complete account of California’s farm labor movement and ensure that these important leaders are remembered by future generations of Californians.”
Bonta’s parents organized farm workers at the United Farm Workers headquarters in La Paz, where he grew up.