Link: Democrats Endorse Yes on 37: http://www.carighttoknow.org/ca_democratic_party_yes_on_37
Related release with quotes from Senator Boxer. http://www.carighttoknow.org/boxer_leno_vote_yes_prop_37 For Immediate Release: July 31, 2012 Contacts: Lori Sinsley, 415.308.6970, lori@carighttoknow.org Stacy Malkan, 510.848.5701, stacy@carighttoknow.org California Democratic Party Endorses Yes on Prop 37 Party agrees we have right to know if our food is genetically engineered (Anaheim, Calif.)-Yesterday, the California Democratic Party voted to endorse Prop 37, agreeing with the overwhelming majority of Americans who want the right to know if their food contains genetically engineered ingredients. Following Saturday's endorsement by the Resolutions Board that voted nearly unanimously to support the measure, the Executive Board adopted it Sunday without debate. While opponents had nearly a dozen lobbyists at the meeting, party leaders chose to be on the right side of history and enthusiastically joined with the people's movement that is calling for more transparency in our food system so that individuals and families can make informed choices. "As a mom, I believe all families have the right to know what's in the food we feed our kids. As a friend of labor, I trust farm workers and public health providers who support labeling generically engineered foods. That's why I'm proud to join the grassroots movement supporting Yes on 37,"said Christine Pelosi, Chair of the State Democratic Party Women's Caucus and Honorary Co-Chair of the Yes on Prop 37 Leadership Council. The California Democratic Party endorsement comes on the heels of endorsements from the California Labor Federation, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters and California State Senator Mark Leno. The majority of Americans affiliated with both major political parties and across all demographics want genetically engineered foods to be labeled. Polls show that nine out of ten voters in the U.S. and in California back labeling (see Mellman 2012, Zogby 2012, CBS 2012). "Working people deserve the right to know what is in the food we are feeding our families," said Steve Smith, Communications Director for the California Labor Federation. "Prop 37 is a commonsense measure that ensures our families are able to make educated choices about the food we purchase. We're proud to join with millions of Californians in supporting the right to know what's in our food." At least 49 other countries including all of Europe, Japan, China and Russia require labeling of genetically engineered foods. The United States stands virtually alone as one of the few industrialized countries that doesn't provide this information to consumers. "We advise people to exercise and make informed decisions about the foods they eat, yet Californians are left in the dark about genetically engineered foods," said Ana Mascareņas, Policy and Communications Director with Physicians for Social Responsibility-LA. "There are no long-term health studies on these foods. We have a right to know what we're feeding our families." To date, more than 1,000 groups and businesses have endorsed the Yes on 37 Right to Know initiative including a broad range of consumer, farm, environmental, and health advocates, including: the Consumer Federation of America, the United Farm Workers, California Certified Organic Farmers, Public Citizen, Sierra Club, Organic Consumers Association, the California League of Conservation Voters, the Center for Food Safety and Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco. For more information about the campaign and for a full list of endorsers, please visit www.CARighttoKnow.org.
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