Preventing Protection of Child Farmworkers

by | Aug 2, 2012 | News, Shine a Light On

1-year-old America in the fields with her family.

House acts to stop rules for child labor on farms
July 24, 2012

By JIM ABRAMS
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Tuesday barred the labor secretary from imposing new safety rules for children working on farms, putting a legal stamp on a Labor Department decision to put off action on the rules.

The Labor Department announced last April that it would not go ahead with the proposed rules, saying the decision was made “in response to thousands of comments” expressing concerns about their effect on small family-owned farms. It added that the rules would not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration.

But bill sponsor, Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, said that even with that assurance, legal action was necessary to make sure that federal bureaucrats in the future would not carry through with “misguided” regulatory attempts.

“The regulations imposed by the Department of Labor went beyond all common sense and would have destroyed opportunities for youth across the agricultural economy,” he said.

The Labor Department spent more than a year developing the new safety rules, which expanded and tightened existing regulations governing hired farm workers under the age of 16. The rules would have banned children younger than 16, except for student learners, from operating tractors and other power-driven machines; tightened restrictions on youth working with bulls and other potentially dangerous animals; and prohibited the hiring of those under the age of 18 for jobs in grain elevators, silos and stockyards.

The rules specifically exempted children working on their parents’ farms, but farm groups and farm state lawmakers said they ignored the realities of farm life and could affect children working on farms owned and operated by uncles, grandparents or other relatives.

The measure barring the new rules was approved by voice vote.

The only lawmaker to speak in opposition, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., said it “prevents a rule that has already been prevented by special interests” and which would have increased protections in an industry that is one of the most hazardous for young people.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has introduced identical legislation in the Senate.

The New King and Queen of Huntington High

by | Aug 2, 2012 | Hero of the Month, News

By Claire Bourgeois

At 17 years old, Meghan Latini and boyfriend Brendan Higgins have found themselves with new accessories: a Crown and a sash that marks their big win of titles “Prom King and Queen” at Huntington High School in Long Island.

What is unique about this teenage fairytale? Both Meghan and Brendan were born with Down syndrome. For many, this genetic disorder provides a series of roadblocks that can stand in the way of carrying out a normal teenage life. However, as Meghan’s mother Marianne Latini says, this special couple continually defies expectations,  “[Meghan] always reached heights that we didn’t know she would be able to.”

“ A lot of people were cheering for me, so I was pretty happy” said Meghan.

The award winning couple was clearly warmed by the acknowledgment and celebration from their peers, most of whom they’ve grown up with. The support for these two from their peers is an irreplaceable network of encouragement, something which has clearly allowed Meghan and Brendan to rise above being defined by their condition. As proud father Joe Latini says,  “to get that kind of recognition from your peers, that is really something, and it felt great.”

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