[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 51 (Tuesday, May 3, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I would like to take time today to 
honor the memory of all the men, women, and children in this country 
who have died on the job. April 28 was Workers Memorial Day.
  Workers Memorial Day was instituted by the AFL-CIO to honor those 
workers who are injured and die on the job each year. It is a day for 
educating people about the need for safety in the workplace. It is a 
day for remembering the dangers that workers face on the job. Despite 
the improvements in job safety that have been made since the 
Occupational Health and Safety Administration [OSHA] was created in 
1970, far too many workers are killed, permanently disabled, or injured 
in the workplace daily.
  In February 1993, a 44-year-old man in Willow Springs, IL, was 
dismantling a bridge. It was his first day on the job. The bridge he 
was working on collapsed, crushing the man and injuring three others. 
Robert Meyers is survived by his wife and five children.
  In that same month in Chicago, a spotter for a freight company was 
standing between two parked trailers. A truck and trailer collided with 
the parked trailers, crushing the 52-year-old worker. William 
Maslejewsk died later from the injuries he sustained.
  Every 5 seconds in this country, a man, woman, or child is injured, 
contracts a disease, or dies at work. This is a startling figure. By 
the time I have finished speaking here today, 48 workers will go home 
in worse condition then when they left the house this morning, if they 
can go home at all.
  For the year 1992 alone, I can cite 248 separate examples of personal 
stories of workers in Illinois who died at work. This does not include 
the hundreds who are injured or diseased each year.
  Today I ask you all to join me in honoring those who died working to 
support themselves, families, communities, and the Nation. We honor 
those who have died while laboring in factories, offices, construction 
sites, and farms. We pay tribute to all those who are injured or ill 
because of their jobs.
  We cannot let anymore unnecessary deaths occur. That is why I am 
cosponsor of S. 575, the Comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health 
Reform Act.
  States that have enacted reforms similar to those in S. 575 have seen 
a dramatic decrease in the rates of injury and illness. This 
legislation is vital if we are to prevent future deaths and injuries in 
Illinois and the entire United States.
  My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost loved ones 
in workplace accidents. I will continue my efforts to make sure that 
workplace safety is a priority.
  No one has ever put it better than veteran organizer Mother Jones, 
when she said, ``Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the 
living.''

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