The story of Stockton is written in the calloused hands of those who worked its fields, and this week, that story was honored in a heartfelt tribute at City Hall.
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Christina Fugazi and city leaders gathered to celebrate the enduring legacy of the Bracero Program — a historic labor initiative that began right here in Stockton on August 4, 1942. The event honored local partners who have helped preserve this powerful chapter of regional and national history.
A Legacy Rooted in Hard Work and Hope
The Bracero Program was born from a wartime agreement between the United States and Mexico, bringing millions of Mexican workers north to fill labor shortages during World War II. Between 1942 and 1964, more than 4.6 million labor contracts were signed, connecting hands and hearts across borders and forming the backbone of California’s agricultural success.
Here in the San Joaquin Valley, the Braceros’ labor transformed the landscape — from asparagus to tomatoes to grapes — helping shape the thriving agricultural region we know today. But beyond crops and contracts, their story is one of courage, perseverance, and community.
Honoring the Stewards of History
Mayor Fugazi recognized several community partners for their commitment to keeping the Bracero legacy alive:
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Stockton, led by Martha Arevalos, for promoting awareness of Bracero history.
- El Concilio California, represented by Jose Rodriguez and Dr. Ines Ruiz Houston, for engaging and educating the community about this vital history.
- University of the Pacific’s Dr. Laura D. Gutierrez, for her academic leadership and preservation of Bracero stories.
- AG1 Packing & Harvest Company, represented by Gloria Luz and Jesse Sandoval, for private-sector efforts to honor agricultural pioneers.
Dr. Gutierrez shared, “The Bracero story is not just labor history — it’s community history. The men who came through Stockton changed the course of our city’s economy and culture. Their legacy lives on in the generations who continue to call Stockton home.”…