[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 186 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                         April 9, 2003.
Whereas Samuel Gompers, the first president of the American Federation of Labor, 
        challenged laborers across the country to coordinate their activities 
        into one cohesive unit, and in response 25 delegates from 17 cities--
        representing more than 8,000 laborers--met in Washington, D.C. on April 
        13, 1903;
Whereas after four days of meetings these representatives formed the 
        ``International Hod Carriers' and Building Laborers' Union of America'' 
        (Laborers' Union);
Whereas the Laborers' Union was started and built by immigrants and minorities, 
        and today immigrants and minorities continue to be the fastest growing 
        segment of the Union's membership;
Whereas, in 1920, the Laborers' Union backed efforts by African-Americans to win 
        equal treatment in other United States labor unions;
Whereas by the late 1920s a boom in construction caused the Laborers' Union 
        membership rolls to approach 100,000, and during this period the merger 
        and addition of three other unions--the International Compressed Air and 
        Foundation Workers Union; the Tunnel and Subway Constructors 
        International Union; and the International Union of Pavers, Rammermen, 
        Flag Layers, Bridge and Curb Setters and Sheet Asphalt Pavers--further 
        added to the Laborers' Union's size;
Whereas the members of the Laborers' Union provided crucial support to the 
        National defense effort during World War II, and during the post-World 
        War II industrial boom the Laborers' Union began organizing 
        nonconstruction workers in the labor force;
Whereas, in 1950, the Laborers' Union built their own training center in Kansas 
        City, opening an era of high-quality training to help workers advance in 
        their jobs and careers by providing more opportunities for them and 
        their families;
Whereas, in 1955, the Laborers' Union affiliated itself with the AFL-CIO 
        Industrial Union Department in order to effectively represent the 60,000 
        laborers working under the jurisdiction of the Industrial Union 
        Department;
Whereas, in 1965, the Laborers' Union officially changed its name to the 
        ``Laborers' International Union of North America'' (LIUNA) to better 
        reflect the continual expansion of the union beyond the construction 
        field;
Whereas, during the 1960s, LIUNA successfully organized municipal, State, and 
        university employees, and in 1968 added the 20,000 Mail Handlers Union 
        to their ranks;
Whereas, in 1970, intensive lobbying by LIUNA and other unions resulted in the 
        creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration;
Whereas more than 3,000 LIUNA members worked round-the-clock to clean up the 
        site of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City, 
        completing the clean-up three months ahead of schedule and under budget;
Whereas LIUNA currently consists of approximately 800,000 members in more than 
        650 locals;
Whereas LIUNA has long played a vital role in building the United States by 
        constructing highways, bridges, tunnels, subways, dams, power plants, 
        factories, office buildings, schools, churches, hospitals, and apartment 
        buildings and houses;
Whereas LIUNA members work in a variety of fields such as local, State, and 
        Federal government service, health care, mail handling, custodial 
        services, shipbuilding, food service, and hazardous waste removal;
Whereas LIUNA is one of the most innovative unions in the labor movement, with 
        69 state-of-the-art training centers across North America, and is among 
        the most successful unions at organizing within the labor movement;
Whereas LIUNA is an extraordinary union whose leadership works hard to protect 
        its members' health and safety, to provide laborers a strong voice in 
        the workplace and extensive skill training designed to empower members 
        to reach their full potential, and perhaps most important, to ensure the 
        dignity, respect, and security of laborers in the workplace; and
Whereas LIUNA's efforts are deserving of our attention and admiration: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the founding of the 
        Laborers' International Union of North America and acknowledges the 
        tremendous contributions LIUNA has made to the structural development 
        and building of the United States and to the well-being of countless 
        laborers;
            (2) congratulates the members and officers of the Laborers' 
        International Union of North America for LIUNA's many achievements and 
        the strength of its membership; and
            (3) looks forward to the continuation of LIUNA's efforts and 
        believes that LIUNA will have an even greater impact in the 21st century 
        and beyond, enhancing the standard of the living and work environments 
        for future laborers.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.