Bill Text: AZ SCR1035 | 2018 | Fifty-third Legislature 2nd Regular | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizing Japanese-American farmers
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (N/A - Dead) - [SCR1035 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2018-SCR1035-Introduced.html
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REFERENCE TITLE: recognizing Japanese-American farmers |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-third Legislature Second Regular Session 2018
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SCR 1035 |
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Introduced by Senators Otondo: Brophy McGee
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
recognizing the contributions japanese-american farmers have made to the state of arizona.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Whereas, agriculture was the foundation of the enterprise and prosperity for Japanese-Americans in Arizona and on the Pacific coast; and
Whereas, by 1930 there were 879 Japanese, Issei and Nisei in Arizona. The Japanese individuals who settled permanently in the Phoenix area after 1900 were primarily farmers; and
Whereas, before the arrival of Japanese-Americans to the state, agricultural production was limited to grains and alfalfa; and
Whereas, by the 1930s there were approximately 120 Japanese farms in the Salt River Valley, and many of these were purchased under the names of their American-born children; and
Whereas, Issei farmers introduced new crops and growing techniques that are now standard agricultural practices in Arizona; and
Whereas, Japanese farmers primarily experimented with garden vegetables, which resulted in crops that would become major agricultural products in the Phoenix area; and
Whereas, despite restrictions, Japanese farming grew steadily, and crops grown included lettuce, cantaloupe, strawberries, carrots, tomatoes and sweet corn; and
Whereas, there were three distinct Japanese communities in the Salt River Valley, including one in Mesa, one near South Mountain, and one in the Alhambra-Glendale area of northwest Phoenix, where the majority of Japanese farms were located; and
Whereas, the Kishiyama family, along with other families, started growing flowers and created their own irrigation system; and
Whereas, by the 1950s, Arizona's Japanese were shipping 250 boxes of flowers a day to nationwide destinations; and
Whereas, the flower gardens were a source of positive visibility and pride for Arizona and became a prominent Phoenix area attraction.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the Members of the Legislature recognize the tremendous contributions that Japanese-Americans have made to the State of Arizona, specifically their work in fostering successful agricultural practices during the twentieth century.
