MENG AND ACTING LABOR SECRETARY HAIL FILIPINO LABOR LEADERS INDUCTED INTO LABOR DEPARTMENT’S HALL OF HONOR

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) and Acting United States Labor Secretary Julie Su hailed Filipino labor leaders who were inducted yesterday into the Department of Labor's Hall of Honor.

At a meeting on Capitol Hill held by the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Meng and Su highlighted inductees Larry Dulay Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz and Peter Gines Velasco, who led farmworkers to organize and stand up against powerful grape industry growers while fighting for higher wages, better working conditions and basic dignity for Filipino farmworkers. The CAPAC meeting took place late Wednesday afternoon after Su inducted them earlier in the day.

Su also shared with Meng the induction's event poster, a photo of which is attached.

The three labor leaders of the farmworkers' movement were recognized for their lifetimes of service to Filipino farmworkers, starting in 1959 with the organization of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee at the Filipino Hall in Delano, California. In 1965, the AWOC led the Delano Grape Strike, where more than 800 Filipino farmworkers in the grape fields went on strike against 10 vineyards. In addition to the victories they achieved for farmworkers, their work is a reminder of what can be achieved when workers of all backgrounds come together to advocate for higher wages and better working conditions.

"I thank Acting Secretary Su for inducting Larry Dulay Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz and Peter Gines Velasco, and I applaud her for commemorating the tremendous contributions that these Filipino labor leaders made to our country and the labor movement," said Meng. "Their leadership, determination and courage in fighting for better wages and improved working conditions continues to inspire me, and this well-deserved tribute to them is an outstanding way to ensure that our nation - and future generations - always remember the crucial work they did and the legacies they left behind."

During the induction, Su presented medals commemorating the ceremony to family members of Itliong, Vera Cruz and Velasco.

Established in 1988, the Hall of Honorrecognizes the accomplishments and impact of dozens of groups and individuals on the nation's workforce and workplaces. The hall is located inside the Department of Labor's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Meng presently serves as the First Vice Chair of CAPAC.

See attached photo of Meng and Su holding up the induction's event poster.