tags: , , , , , Blog

Mark, a Nursery Owner in Ohio, Does His Job; Speaker Boehner, Do Yours

Share This:

mark gilsonLast month, we kicked off the “Do Your Jobs” campaign to remind Congress of all the immigrants who will be working hard to produce our food and drink this holiday season.  Throughout the rest of the year, we will be profiling workers and business owners like Mark (below), who work every day to contribute to our country.  As Congress heads toward yet another long recess, it’s past time that House Republicans take action, and pass real immigration reform.

Mark Gilson works seven days a week. Even on weekends and holidays, Mark must check on his greenhouses to make sure everything is operating smoothly.

Mark is a third-generation owner of a nursery in Lake County, Ohio, where he relies on seasonal agricultural workers and student workers to help run his business.  He supervises up to 35 workers who do potting, trimming, weeding, and winterizing tasks at the nursery. In Lake County, each nursery job supports 3.5 jobs in the broader economy.

“Congress needs to find the courage to address immigration reform – the entire system, including the 11 million undocumented people in our country.  We have an opportunity to do the right thing, and in doing so reap long-term economic benefits. Agriculture and nurseries are a big part of our local economy and I would like to see it stay that way.”

Mark is doing his job.  Speaker Boehner, why aren’t you doing yours?

It’s time to give Mark and other small business owners a vote.