Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on the retirement of Arturo Rodriguez, the second president of the United Farmworkers of America:

“Arturo Rodriguez spent almost five decades fighting for the rights of farmworkers, and I’d like to thank him for his service and his friendship. His leadership will be greatly missed, both in California and on the national stage.

“Arturo stepped up to fill the void left by the passing of Cesar Chavez, his father-in-law and UFW’s first president, in 1993. Building on the legacy of its founders, Arturo grew the UFW into one of the most influential labor unions in the country.

“Under his leadership, the union was able to increase the average pay for farmworkers to more than $13 an hour. And starting next year, farmworkers will finally be eligible for overtime pay in California thanks to Arturo’s efforts to end an 80-year-old exclusion for farmworkers in the Fair Labor Standards Act.

“Arturo leaves the UFW in good hands. I look forward to working with Teresa Romero, the first Latina and immigrant woman to lead the union. Arturo, I hope you enjoy a much-deserved retirement and understand just how grateful we are for your tireless service to our country.”

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