From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen)
Subject: Helsinki Commission to Examine Health, Safety of Migrant Farmworkers
Organization: NDA
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 10:14:22 GMT


Here is a press release from the Helsinki Commission.

 Helsinki Commission to Examine Health, Safety of Migrant Farmworkers
in the United States; Hearing Set for Oct. 9
 To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor
 Contact: Jamie Ridge or Mike Amitay, 202-225-1901, both of
          the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
          (Helsinki Commission)

   News Advisory:

   The Helsinki Commission, pursuant to its mandate to monitor
compliance in all CSCE states, including the United States,
is conducting a series of briefings on migrant farmworker issues.
   The second briefing will take place Friday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. in 2128 Rayburn House Office Building in Washington.
   This briefing is intended to provide an overview of farm labor
health issues -- particularly those associated with the use of
pesticides.  Subsequent briefings will address education, family
issues, as well as possible solutions to problems encountered.  The
following have been invited to make presentations on Oct. 9:

   -- Dr. Marilyn Gaston is assistant surgeon general and director of
the Bureau of Primary Health Care of the Department of Health and
Human Services, which is responsible for improving access to quality
preventative and primary care to underserved, minority, poor and
disadvantaged populations.  Programs under Dr. Gaston's direction
include Community and Migrant Health Centers.
   -- David Duran is chairperson of the National Advisory Council on
Migrant Health, which makes yearly recommendations to the Secretary
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  He is currently
the Hispanic and Migrant Services Coordinator in the Wisconsin
Department of Health and Social Services.  A former migrant and
seasonal farm worker, since 1974 he has worked to provide various
services to migrant farm workers.
   -- Dr. Ed Zuroweste is chairperson of the Migrant Clinicians
Network and medical director of the Keystone Migrant Health Clinic in
Chambersburg, Pa.  He serves on numerous national and regional
committees associated with family, community and rural healthcare and
has been appointed to the Executive Coordinating Committee of the
National Coalition for the Elimination of Tuberculosis.  He has
lectured and published widely in these areas.
   -- Valerie Wilk is a health specialist with the Farmworker
Justice Fund, a national, non-for-profit advocacy organization in
Washington, D.C.  She also directs the fund's Farmworker Women's
Health Project.  Prior to her current position, Wilk directed a
pesticide education program at a community and migrant health center
in New Jersey.  She holds a Master of Science degree in preventative
medicine and environmental health.
   -- Louis True Jr. is senior adviser to the director of the
Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Pesticide Programs.

   Over the course of the 16-year Helsinki process, participating
states have agreed to far-reaching commitments elaborating and
protecting the rights of migrant workers.  CSCE standards pertaining
to migrant workers include: equal rights with regard to conditions of
employment and work; social security; living and housing conditions;
access to education; and equality of opportunity and respect for
fundamental human rights.
   Members of Congress, their staffs, federal agency personnel,
non-governmental organizations and the public have been invited.
Audience questions will be addressed and the proceedings compiled in
a written record.
 -30-

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     North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information
        Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
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