Farm labor leader to speak at Global Mission Partnerships Dinner.

Baldemar Velásquez, president and founder of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), AFL-CIO, will speak on "Immigration and Farm Labor: Toward Faithful Policy" at the Global Mission Partnerships Dinner at the 2008 Annual Conference. The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. on July 14 in Salon E of the Richmond (Va.) Marriott.

"Few persons know the pulse of, or speak the voice of farm workers with more authority than Baldemar," said Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office and host for the dinner. "He is well positioned to apply Christian faith values to the current immigration debate. A second generation US farm worker himself, Baldemar has lived within the struggle and violence that affects the agricultural workers of our nation, along with their families. Out of this experience he has committed his life’s work as an adult to organize and advocate for and with the estimated 1.8 million unjustly treated workers who are instrumental in providing food for our tables."

The Church of the Brethren denomination has a history of partnership with the National Farm Worker Ministry, as one of 40 national, state, and local interfaith religious bodies supporting farm workers’ efforts for justice, Jones noted.

The dinner also will feature vocal and instrumental selections by folk singer Peg Lehman, a member of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., whose songs promote peace and social justice.

--Janis Pyle is mission connections coordinator for the Church of the Brethren General Board.

Source: 6/2/2008 Newsline Extra