[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING AMERICAN WORKING MEN AND WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 1996

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, to commemorate our Nation's 
Labor Day holiday, and to honor New York's vibrant and diverse work 
force. Appropriately enough, before Congress adjourns, we will have 
passed a bill to raise the minimum wage and sent it to the President 
for his signature. This marks a tremendous victory for those people who 
have been working tirelessly to ensure that this vital, and long 
overdue, action be taken. Many people deserve praise for their work on 
this and other issues, but I would especially like to recognize the New 
York State AFL-CIO, the Long Island Central Labor Council, the New York 
Central Labor Council, and the Building and Construction Trades Union 
of the AFL-CIO, as well as all of you in the labor community who have 
united to work together against the antilabor sentiment that has 
pervaded Congress in the last 18 months. Your immeasurable support in 
this effort has assisted Congress in finally, after 7 years, passing a 
much-needed raise in our Nation's minimum wage, as well as staving off 
several vitriolic attacks on our Nation's workers.
  In a short time, those workers who have been scraping by on $4.25 an 
hour will get some relief for their families by earning a little bit 
more. Right now, the minimum wage is at 40-year low in terms of 
purchasing power. The simple fact is that people can no longer raise a 
family on this kind of wage. Yes, it's a small step, but it's no secret 
that it's a step that most Americans have desired for a long time. In 
fact, 80 percent of the American public supports this raise. 
Additionally, this legislation is the essence of family values--in 
other words, by enacting this measure, we are truly valuing our 
families. In my view, it is a simple matter. If we don't assist, 
nurture, and encourage our families to attain a higher standard of 
living, how do we expect America as a whole to succeed?
  Howeer, this labor-unfriendly majority has, for some time now, been a 
virtual roadblock in the way of achieving meaningful legislation such 
as this, as well as other important labor and family related matters. 
We need to continue to be in the business of improving, not 
undercutting, the well being, and survival, of our families. 
Nonetheless, whether its been in the form of striker-replacement 
legislation, allowing companies to raid the pensions of its workers, 
crafting a bill to mandate employer-led organizations to address labor 
issues, or cutting funding for important agencies such as the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] and the National 
Labor Relations Board [NLRB], the Republican leadership has strived to 
make it more difficult for American workers to have access to safety 
and security in their jobs. These actions do not send the right message 
to hardworking Americans, and I intend to ensure that trend is 
reversed.
  Lastly, through the persistent efforts of those such as my colleague 
Senator Ted Kennedy, we are also able to pass a serious first step 
toward meaningful health insurance reform. This bill will affect at 
least 25 million Americans who either change or lose their jobs, or 
have preexisting conditions in their family that has, up until now, 
given insurance companies an excuse not to offer comprehensive health 
insurance. That is patently unfair and just plain wrong, and I have 
consistently made sure that these concerns are addressed properly.
  Working men and women have been the glue of this country ever since 
its inception, and I heartily salute them on Labor Day 1996. I strongly 
urge my colleagues to commemorate with me the workers of New York and 
their families on this day, and I look forward to a time when all 
Americans can feel safe in their jobs and financially secure in their 
lives.

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