HOUSE MEMORIAL 41

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Phillip M. Archuleta

A MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING SUPPORT FOR THE HISPANIC AND WOMEN FARMERS AND RANCHERS OF AMERICA IN THEIR PURSUIT OF A FAIR, EQUITABLE AND JUST RESOLUTION TO THEIR DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

     WHEREAS, the Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers of America is an association that advocates for civil rights and property rights of farmers and ranchers and provides assistance in organizing, coordinating, distributing and promoting the agricultural produce of its members in the states of New Mexico, Colorado, California, Texas, Utah, Florida, Louisiana and Washington and across interstate lines; and

     WHEREAS, Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers in the United States grow produce for local, state, national and international market consumption and are dependent on state and federal resources for information and economic assistance for farm and ranch operations and the marketing and distribution of their produce; and

     WHEREAS, Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers have for decades submitted funding applications to the United States department of agriculture and the farm service agency for irrigation projects, equipment purchases, tax assistance, crop insurance, harvesting and marketing technology and equipment innovations; and

     WHEREAS, Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers, along with Native American and African American farmers, have routinely been ignored and discriminated against in the distribution of federal farm benefits; and

     WHEREAS, the Native American and African American farmers of America filed suit for the discriminative denial of awards and grants by the United States department of agriculture and negotiated and received a fair and equitable remedy; and

     WHEREAS, Hispanic and women farmers filed suit against the United States department of agriculture to remedy the discriminative actions but were denied class action certification; and

     WHEREAS, while the United States department of agriculture and the farm service agency have taken administrative steps to address many of the allegations raised in the litigation, the claims process continues to suffer from alleged managerial failures and discriminatory practices;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the house of representatives stands in support of the Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers of America in their pursuit of a fair, equitable and just resolution of the claims of discrimination pursued by members of the Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers of America; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the United States and the United States secretary of agriculture.

- 3 -