March 14, 2013
Assemblymember Rob Bonta
California State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0018
Re: AB 123 (Bonta) School Instruction on Filipino Farm Workers—Letter of Support
Dear Assemblymember Bonta:
Anakbayan San Diego would like to express support for the passage of Assembly Bill 123. To ensure the passage of the bill Anakbayan San Diego and other organizations formed the AB 123 Southern California Coalition. We support the passage of AB 123 because we recognize the importance of the role of Filipino Americans in the Farm Worker labor struggles of the 20th century American History.
More than 40 years after the Delano Grape Strike Filipino student organizations on college campuses continue to celebrate the achievements of the Farm Workers movement. Unfortunately, Filipino student organizations are one of the few places where people can learn about Filipino American farm labor organizers like Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz. Unfortunately the role of Filipino Americans in the history of farm labor organizing has been overlooked.
As a comprehensive youth organization Anakbayan San Diego upholds and defends the rights of Filipinos here in the United States and in the Philippines. We support initiatives that recognize the value of Filipino and non-Filipino migrant workers in society. The inclusion of Filipino American contributions to the social science curriculum of California schools will ensure a more accurate depiction of history and teach youth examples of heroism and solidarity between ethnic groups. Moreover, students will learn the value of migrant workers in history which will hopefully lead them to think critically about the current struggles of migrant workers today.
Anakbayan San Diego fully supports the passage of Assembly Bill 123.
In Solidarity,
Ivan Penetrante
Chairperson
Anakbayan San Diego
anakbayansd@gmail.com
Anakbayan SD 