[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 117 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 117

  Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Laborers' 
 International Union of North America, and congratulating members and 
officers of the Laborers' International Union of North America for the 
                       union's many achievements.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 10, 2003

    Mr. Kennedy, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported the 
    following original resolution; which was placed on the calendar

                             April 11, 2003

                   Considered, amended, and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Laborers' 
 International Union of North America, and congratulating members and 
officers of the Laborers' International Union of North America for the 
                       union's many achievements.

Whereas Samuel Gompers, the first president of the American Federation of Labor, 
        challenged laborers across the country to coordinate their activities 
        into 1 cohesive unit and, in answer, 25 delegates from 17 cities--
        representing more than 8,000 laborers--met in Washington, D.C. on April 
        13, 1903;
Whereas after 4 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 United States unions;
Whereas by the late 1920's, a boom in construction caused the membership rolls 
        to approach 100,000, and during this period 3 amalgamations added to the 
        union's size: 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;
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 non-
        construction workers in the labor force;
Whereas in 1950, the Laborers' Union built their own training center in Kansas 
        City, opening the era of high-quality training to help workers advance 
        and find more opportunity for themselves and their families;
Whereas in 1955, the Laborers' Union affiliated 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 reflect the 
        continual expansion of the union beyond the construction field;
Whereas during the 1960's, LIUNA successfully organized municipal, State, and 
        university employees, and in 1968 added the 20,000 member 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 members of LIUNA worked round the clock to clean up the 
        site of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, and 
        the clean-up was completed 3 months ahead of schedule and under budget;
Whereas LIUNA now consists of approximately 800,000 members in more than 650 
        locals;
Whereas LIUNA has long played a vital role in building America through the 
        laying down of new highways, the building of spectacular bridges, the 
        digging of tunnels and subways, the constructing of new dams and power 
        plants, factories, and office buildings, the erecting of new schools, 
        churches, and hospitals, and the building of apartment buildings and 
        houses throughout the country;
Whereas members of LIUNA work in a wide 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 every day to 
        promote job creation, protect members' health and safety, provide 
        laborers a strong voice in the workplace, provide extensive skill 
        training to empower members to reach their full potential, and, perhaps 
        most importantly, to ensure the dignity, respect, and security for 
        laborers in the workplace; and
Whereas the efforts of LIUNA in these areas are deserving of our attention and 
        admiration: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the founding of the 
        Laborers' International Union of North America, which has made 
        a tremendous contribution to the structural development and 
        building of the United States, and to the well-being of 
        countless workers;
            (2) congratulates LIUNA for its many achievements and the 
        strength of its membership; and
            (3) expects that LIUNA will continue its dedicated work and 
        will have an even greater impact in the 21st century and 
        beyond, and will enhance the standard of living and work 
        environment for laborers and other workers in generations to 
        come.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.