CITY OF LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA Office of the JUNE LAGMAY CITY CLERK City Clerk Council and Public Services Room 395, City Hall HOLLY L. WOLCOTT Los Angeles, CA 90012 General Information - (213) 978-1133 Executive Officer Fax: (213) 978-1040

www.cityclerk.lacitv.org ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA MAYOR

September 10, 2010

To All Interested Parties:

The City Council adopted the action(s), as attached, under

Council file No. 10-2273, at its meeting held September 8, 2010 .

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An Equal Employment Opportunity- Affirmative Action Employer :;:::;., ~ ~~O/b lr}) ;u~ 73 AUG RES ·-·------T~ClfY~~~n N. -----,=,~~,,,,_,1r;;. I -'l!L'tl'ff\ f>O.q ON NEXT 1 f'=~~GU~M~ POSTED I 1 Whereas, September 8, 2010 marks the 45 h Anni~~~y~of'tlie's'tanofttre~eian

Whereas, this seminal action by Filipino farm workers set the stage for the successful worldwide table grape boycott and development of the first labor law in the United States governing the organizing of farm workers, the California Agricultural Labor relations Act (ALRA); and

1 Whereas, on September 8 h 1965 the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), AFL­ CIO, a union organizing committee established in 1959 and composed mainly of Filipino American workers led by Larry Dulay Itliong, decided to strike and launch the to bring attention to the plight of farm workers in the agricultural fields of Delano and across California; and

Whereas, the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), AFL-CIO voted to strike at the Filipino Community Hall in Delano, California on September 8, 1965; and

1 Whereas, the approximately 1,500 Filipino farm workers who started the strike on September 8 h 1965 became known as the "Original Strikers"; and

Whereas, the Delano Grape Strike was initiated in the fields of table grape growers in order to demand fair wages and benefits for California's agricultural farm workers; and

Whereas, the Delano Grape Strike grew to include and represent thousands of farm workers when the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) led by and voted at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Delano, California on September 16, 1965 to join A WOC, AFL­ CIO in the Delano Grape Strike; and

Whereas, the merging of, A WOC, AFL-CIO and NFWA resulted in the formation of the Organizing Committee (UFWOC) on August 22, 1966 eventually becoming the United Farm Workers of America (UFW); and

Whereas, as a result of the merger Cesar Chavez was named the Director and Larry Itliong was appointed as Assistant Director of the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee; and

Whereas, Larry Itliong joined with Cesar Chavez to form an important alliance and partnership of agricultural unions and Pilipino leaders such as Philip Vera Cruz and Pete Velasco, Benjamin played a pivotal role in the early success ofthe United Farm Workers; and

Whereas, Larry Itliong, in the 1970's formed and became President of the Filipino-American Political Association (F AP A), a national political action group which brought together Filipino farm workers and professionals; and Whereas, Larry Itliong passed away February gth, 1977 at the age of 63 and at his funeral was described by Cesar Chavez as "a true pioneer in the farm worker union" and where many of his struggles victories have improved the lives of countless farm workers and their families,

Whereas, Philip Vera Cruz became the UFW' s 2nd Vice President, left the UFW in 1977, and stayed active in labor organizing through the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (AP ALA), AFL-CIO until his death on June 11, 1994; and

Whereas, Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz were instrumental in forming the Paolo Agbayani Village, a retirement village for elderly Filipino American Farm Workers in the Delano area; and

Whereas, Pete Velasco served the UFW as UFW Secretary-Treasurer until his death on December 1, 1995, being appointed UFW Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus, and being honored with a UFW housing complex in his name, "Casa Velasco"; and

Whereas, the life and legacy of Larry Itliong can be seen in the upcoming documentary, "The Delano Manongs: Forgotten Heroes ofthe UFW", a film which follows the life of Larry and the Original Strikers directed by Northern California Emmy-award winning filmmaker Marissa Aroy;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Los Angeles urges all residents to celebrate the lives of Larry ltliong, Philip Vera Cruz and Pete Velasco, as well as the contributions and efforts of the Delano Grape Strike's Original Strikers and Filipino Farm Workers of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), AFL-CIO by engaging in service, events, and actions representative oftheir legacy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that September 8, 2010 shall be observed as THE DELANO MANONGS DAY in the City of Los Angeles, and the City of Los Angeles honors the Filipino Farm Workers for their life, work and legacy to promote and fight for the well being of all of California's Farm Workers.

PRESENTED BY: ERIC GARCETTI Council Member, 13th District

SECONDED BY: ~fa% Crk£ JOSE HUIZAR ONY CARDENAS Council Member, 14th District Council Member, 6th District

~ SE P 08 2010 1_---t--·---~--- _/'~k_---. y C!,& /'LL}"'jl.•j ( JANICE HAHN ED REYES LOS ANGElES CITV COUNCIL~Qihcil Member, 15th District Council Member, 1st District