Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise to speak on behalf of the amendment that I have offered to protect farmworkers throughout this Nation. Every day, farmworkers work long hours under the scorching sun in one of the most dangerous industries in this country, and they suffer the highest rates of chemical injuries and skin disorders due to pesticide exposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that up to 3,000 farmworkers suffer acute pesticide poisoning every year through their work-related exposure. Every year, an estimated 1.1 billion pounds of pesticides are applied to agricultural crops in the United States. According to the EPA, 10,000 to 20,000 farmworkers suffer pesticide poisoning annually. Exposure to pesticides increases the risk of chronic health problems amongst adult and child farmworkers, such as cancer, infertility, neurological disorders, and respiratory conditions. There are approximately half a million child farmworkers in the U.S., and farmworker children face increased risks of cancer and birth defects. It should be noted that this workplace, in the farms and working crops, is the only area in this country where child labor laws do not apply. Should we then increase the children's risk and exposure because they are not covered by a law that covers the rest of the children in this country?…”