Celeb Helps Out & Time for Immigration Reform

Celeb Helps Out & Time for Immigration Reform plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report. Today people are coming together to honor the productivity of America's workers. As everyone celebrates this year - Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says Congress has the chance to create an even stronger workforce by reforming the current U.S. immigration system. VILSACK: Comprehensive immigration reform is fundamentally a labor issue. Today’s broken system leaves millions of workers in the shadows. It provides no clarity for U.S. employers who want to do the right thing and follow the law. At a time when we should be providing rules that work to grow the economy today’s broken immigration system only grows uncertainty. Bruce Willis is saying thanks to the men and women battling the Beaver Creek Fire. Willis arranged for a catering service to feed some 450 firefighters last week and he is also picking up the tab for a food program to provide snacks to the firefighters as they relocate to other fires. Willis has several home in the Sun Valley area and sent a note along thanking the firefighters for their efforts. He said quote, “ You are the men and women who put your lives at risk to protect ours on a daily basis, but it is at moments like these that your heroism comes to the forefront of our nation's consciousness. On behalf of me and my family, please know that there will never be enough words to express our deepest appreciation for your ever-present dedication and bravery” Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray. The Labor Day Holiday generally marks the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. Most people use this misunderstood holiday as a chance to squeeze in one last trip to the beach or mountains or a chance to get together with friends and family for a final blowout barbecue. But just how and why do we even have a Labor Day weekend? It may be hard to believe but way back in the late 19th century the average American worker faced terrible working conditions, with twelve to fourteen hour days, seven days a week. Numerous labor groups fought for fair pay, and fair treatment for American workers. There is some dispute in the history annuals of just who specifically was responsible for the beginning of the Labor Day tradition, but it was first proposed as an official holiday by the Central Labor Union in New York City back in the late 1880’s. Labor Day is one of those strange national holidays that we in essence no longer celebrate it’s original intent, but we do get off work for. If you think about it, what better way to celebrate and honor working people than by giving them an extra day off in which to relax and enjoy their families. Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.