[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 452 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 452

   Recognizing and honoring America's labor movement, supporting the 
 designation of a National Labor History Month, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 16, 2004

   Mr. Lampson (for himself, Mr. Simmons, Ms. Lofgren, Ms. Carson of 
  Indiana, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. McDermott, Mr. English, Mr. Dingell, Mr. 
 Sherman, Mr. Frost, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mr. McCotter, Mr. McNulty, Mr. 
Green of Texas, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Deutsch, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. 
 Sandlin, and Mr. Bell) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
   which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing and honoring America's labor movement, supporting the 
 designation of a National Labor History Month, and for other purposes.

Whereas the labor movement has greatly impacted the quality of life of all 
        Americans;
Whereas in the early 20th century, millions of Americans left their farms to 
        begin new lives as factory workers;
Whereas many of these individuals found neither secure employment nor higher 
        wages at their new jobs;
Whereas the industrial economy brought these workers exploitation, continued 
        poverty, and the risk of injury and death;
Whereas students of United States history vividly recall the images of filthy 
        children emerging from mills and mines, stories of terrible fires and 
        explosions, and the grim legacy of the slums that emerged in factory 
        towns;
Whereas efforts to eliminate child labor, sweatshops, and workplace disasters 
        began to succeed only after workers organized and spoke with a united 
        and independent voice;
Whereas the American labor movement helped the first generation of industrial 
        workers express their aspirations and insecurities, and empowered them 
        with the necessary tools to define the terms and conditions of their 
        employment and expand the role of labor in larger society;
Whereas in facing the challenges posed by global competition and rapid 
        technological advances, the workers of the 21st century need the same 
        effective leadership that allowed their forebears to succeed;
Whereas many Americans, members of union and non-union households alike, are 
        unaware of these struggles;
Whereas the United States has recognized other important contributions made to 
        this country through designations such as National Women's History Month 
        and National Black History Month;
Whereas the celebration of Labor Day on the first Monday of September, while a 
        cherished holiday by all accounts, is inadequate for educating the 
        public about the many contributions that unions, union members, and 
        other working people have made to the lives of working families;
Whereas many resources exist within various colleges, universities, and 
        international union training centers to help educate union members on 
        the importance of these labor struggles; and
Whereas each new generation of workers must embrace the activism that has 
        characterized labor's rich history, and all Americans should recognize 
        the role that labor has played in the continuing progress of the 
        democracy of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) honors and recognizes the American labor movement;
            (2) supports the designation of a National Labor History 
        Month; and
            (3) urges government officials, educators, the media, and 
        all Americans to observe a National Labor History Month with 
        ceremonies, activities, and programs that encourage reflection 
        on the labor movement's heritage and its many contributions to 
        the creation and maintenance of a just America.
                                 <all>