Presidential Candidate John Edwards in the Valley

A prominent presidential candidate says he understands the crisis caused by the Freeze of 2007.

Senator John Edwards is the first democratic presidential hopeful to make a stop in the Valley to talk with farm workers face to face. He says he plans to go back to Washington to personally appeal to President Bush for immediate federal help.

John Edwards came to Fresno to listen to the devastating stories of farm workers struggling to make ends meet.

"It's been personally moving for me because you can hear in their voices the terror. This is an emergency situation; this is not a problem for the future. I mean they can't buy food, " says Sen. John Edwards (D) North Carolina.

Mirna Vazquez works in a packing house. She told Edwards since being layed off, she's three months behind on rent, scrambling to find food and desperate for any help. "What he do John Edwards, is they coming from his heart and they listen to our heart and he's gonna be a good people for farm workers."

Edwards promised to bring the President up to date on the urgency of federal assistance. He said the farm workers struggle enough and should be offered help due to the circumstances. "These are proud people, they're working people. They don't want to be the beneficiaries of gifts, they want to be the beneficiaries of their hard work and that's what they are. That's who they are in their soul, " says Edwards.

Some workers told Edwards they are having a hard time even getting food donations because every place they turn they are asked for documents to prove they are legal residents. Vasquez says, "Right away they say you got papers or you don't have papers?"

Legal or not, Edwards said these workers deserve temporary help. Crowds embraced the Senator for his attention. As he left, Edwards stopped for a few brief pictures, including one with the late Cesar Chavez's son, Paul.

Edwards also told workers he supports comprehensive immigration reform to help undocumented workers gain citizenship.

Two other presidential hopefuls are planning Valley visits as well. Senator John McCain will be in town March 12 and Mit Romney will make a stop March 15th.

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