Vienna, VA — Today, a bipartisan team in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives introduced legislation to reform the agricultural labor system. This move is critical for the continued survival of our nation's apple industry, and other labor intensive agriculture.

U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Larry Craig (R-CA), Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) along with Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) announced the introduction of the AgJOBS legislation in both Houses of Congress. The legislation, which is identical to the provisions that passed the Senate last year as part of the larger immigration package, will ensure labor intensive agriculture has access to a stable, legal and predictable supply of skilled labor.

USApple Chairman Kelly Henggeler, a third generation apple grower from Fruitland, ID, joined the lawmakers and other ag leaders for the announcement. The U.S. apple industry "is facing a crisis, and that is not rhetoric, it's reality," explained Henggeler. "If Congress doesn't pass real reforms this year, we could see the apple industry 'outsourced' to South America or China. This is not just an Idaho problem or a Northwest problem — it is a national problem."

The AgJOBS legislation is not a new idea; it was introduced, and approved by the U.S. Senate last year. However, because the House of Representatives did not pass similar legislation before the end of the 109th Congress, the bill must be reintroduced.

This time, the legislation's key sponsors are optimistic that it will become law. "I expect that 2007 will see a big change in the H-2A program and the building of a viable guest worker program through the passage of the AgJOBS legislation," predicted Sen. Craig at the announcement.

To succeed in passing this critical legislation, growers must join Congressional supporters in taking action. Feinstein called on the agricultural industry to "make a clamor" and tell the Democratic and Republican leadership in the Senate and the House that this legislation needs to be acted on now.

"Whether it is the memory of a trip to an apple orchard as a child or your grandmother's apple pie, a domestic apple industry is woven into our culture as Americans," concluded Henggeler. "The legislation introduced today will help make it possible to continue these traditions for future generations."

Comprehensive agricultural labor reform, such as that offered in the AgJOBS bill, remains a top priority for the U.S. Apple Association. USApple will work to convince lawmakers from key apple-growing regions to cosponsor this critical legislation and work toward its passage.

Note to Editors: A copy of USApple Chairman Kelly Henggeler's remarks at the announcement of the legislation and a photograph from the event is attached to this email release. Additional photos of Henggeler and other speakers are available from USApple. Contact Shannon Schaffer for more information.

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 36 state and regional apple associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 300 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple's mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.