S13316 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 16, 2009 Anybody who has met Senator some issues where our national views Toma´ s travelled to California in 1967 to Grafstein immediately recognizes him may otherwise diverge. learn about organizing. Returning to as a man of tremendous energy, deep Jerry Grafstein has been and will re- the Yakima Valley, he helped found commitment and brilliant mind. Com- main a close personal friend as well, al- the United Farm Worker Cooperative, menting on Jerry’s career, one of his ways concerned, always engaging, one of the very first Chicano organiza- Canadian Senate colleagues noted the never pretentious. I wish him and his tions in the State of Washington. daunting task of paying tribute ‘‘to a wife Carole the very best. Although he From 1967 to 1974, Toma´ s devoted force of nature disguised as a person.’’ deserves some time off, I am confident himself to farm worker organizing and A successful lawyer, businessman and that he will remain prominent in the Chicano movement activism. Out of member of the Liberal Party, he was life of the vibrant city of . these efforts came the Yakima Valley summoned to the Canadian Senate in In noting the many accomplishments Farmworkers Clinic, the United Farm 1984. Jerry Grafstein’s accomplish- of Jerahmiel Grafstein and thanking Workers Service Center, a wave of hop ments over the next 25 years of public him for his commitment to public serv- harvest strikes in 1969, 1970, 1971, and a service are much more than I can relay ice, I respectfully borrow the Canadian successful grape boycott. here. Senate’s tradition and join his col- In 1974, Toma´ s started a construction I do, however, want to highlight Jer- leagues in saying: ‘‘Hear, Hear!’’ On a company with his father and brothers, ry’s prominent work with the 56 coun- personal level, I believe I speak for nu- but in the 1980s he was back in the tries, 300 member OSCE Parliamentary merous colleagues of my own in saying union movement. In 1986 he became the Assembly. Serving for 6 years as the that Jerry will be missed, and always first president of the newly formed Assembly’s treasurer and then, with welcome to come and visit.∑ United Farm Workers of Washington me since 2007, as one of nine Vice Presi- f State. Today he lives in Toppenish and dents, Jerry has understood the poten- TRIBUTE TO TOMA´ S VILLANUEVA remains active in State and local poli- tial of this multilateral parliamentary ∑ tics. forum to promote human rights, de- Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, Toma´ s Villanueva continues to be a mocracy and tolerance. Such a vital today I would like to take a moment to valued friend, hard-working partner, recognize a very special advocate, ac- forum, however, does not just magi- and widely-respected leader in his com- tivist, and champion for equal rights in cally appear for the world’s benefit. munity. I am so pleased to recognize my home State of Washington on his Someone has to take the time to make his lifetime of achievements on this birthday. ∑ it function by participating as an offi- Toma´ s Villanueva has been a farm- special day. cer, attending countless organizational workers, warehouse packers, and other f meetings and, for us and our Canadian economically disadvantaged laborers RECOGNIZING SUTHERLAND WES- neighbors, traveling frequently across advocate since the early 1960s. Toma´ s TON MARKETING COMMUNICA- the Atlantic to do so. Jerry was one was one of the first people involved in TIONS who rose to the challenge and then the United Farmworkers Union in my ∑ Ms. SNOWE. Madam President, as we some. home State and has fought for years to Even as he helped on organizational approach the holiday season, we are ensure that workers are treated with frequently reminded of the generosity matters, Jerry Grafstein found more dignity, respect, and under the protec- and warmth that Americans dem- time than most others to focus on sub- tions of the law. stance. First and foremost, he has Toma´ s’ involvement with the human onstrate year in and year out at this helped to lead the charge against rising rights movement began in the early most festive time. In particular, we anti-Semitism across and 1960s when he was inspired by UFW often hear stories of employees at local around the world. Diplomacy has a leader Cesar Chavez. And since that businesses who graciously donate their tendency to soften the criticism and time, Toma´ s has fought for numerous time and efforts to help the less fortu- downplay the negative, often until it is causes and people while maintaining nate. This week I wish to recognize the too late, but Jerry has helped to ensure his reputation as a kind, generous, employees of one such company who that the OSCE did not shy away from compassionate and humble leader. consistently work to improve the lot of dealing directly with this and other Toma´ s has also been a close friend everyone in their community. manifestations of hate and prejudice and partner of mine for a very long Sutherland Weston Marketing Com- that dangerously confront far too time. He has helped my staff and I rec- munications of Bangor is a cutting- many societies. Today, thanks to the ognize the depth of the difficult condi- edge firm that specializes in a host of vigilance of Jerry Grafstein and others, tions that farmworkers face, and has marketing topics, including public re- efforts to promote greater tolerance been a consistent voice in fighting to lations, media, and branding. Specifi- are now a solid, ongoing and vital as- improve conditions through the legis- cally, the company helps its customers pect of the OSCE’s work. lative process. design memorable flyers and mailers, This distinguished Senator from Can- Farmworker housing is a moral effective television advertisements, ada also found time to participate and issue, an economic issue, and a family and state-of-the-art Web sites, and help lead OSCE PA missions observing issue. Too many workers and their teaches them the increased value of elections and referenda in places like families face very difficult living con- employing popular social media, such Russia, , and Monte- ditions. Some live in their cars. Others as Facebook and Twitter, in their mar- negro. By being an international ob- share run-down, overcrowded rooms keting decisions. Since its inception in server, he became a witness to history with other families. These are not the 2005, Sutherland Weston has assisted and, in my view, helped history for- kinds of living conditions we can tol- dozens of clients throughout Maine ward and make the world a more demo- erate in the in the 21st seeking ways to enhance their image cratic place. century. They are certainly not suit- and broaden their customer base. In all his public endeavors, Jerry able for the people who help put food Among them are local small businesses Grafstein has been a close friend of the on our tables and who keep our State’s such as Maine Wood Concepts of Guil- United States of America. He has economy strong. Toma´ s knows that we ford and Raye’s Mustard Mill of helped over the years to develop the bi- can and must do better. Eastport; organizations like the Ban- lateral dialogue between the U.S. Con- Toma´ s Villanueva was 14 when his gor Symphony Orchestra; and institu- gress and the Canadian Parliament. He family emigrated from Mexico. After tions such as the University of Maine. has come here to Washington on many following the crops for three years, the Furthermore, members of the Suth- occasions, including as a participant in family settled in Toppenish, Wash- erland Weston team participate regu- Helsinki Commission events. He has al- ington in 1958. Toma´ s spent the next larly in conferences and seminars to ways made clear that he is Canadian several years working various jobs be- better educate the public on how to and proud of the country he represents, fore earning a high school GED and en- maximize marketing strategies. One but that has never kept him from de- rolling in Yakima Valley College. such event is the Social Media 101 sem- veloping areas of common interest and Hearing about Caesar Chavez’s inar, held this past March, where the seeking points of agreement even on United Farm Workers movement, firm’s owners—Elizabeth Sutherland

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