[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE NATION'S LONGSHORE WORKERS

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, the recent dispute between the 
Federal Maritime Commission and Japanese cargo vessel owners over the 
operation of Japan's docks has given Congress and the country a new 
lesson in the important role of United States longshore workers. Day in 
and day out, away from the limelight, they work long hours under back-
breaking conditions. In so many ways, these hard-working men and women 
symbolize the American work ethic. A recent article in the Wall Street 
Journal compared the productivity of American longshore workers 
favorably with that of their Japanese counterparts. The article noted 
that ``American dockworkers will unload 24 hours a day, taking 30% less 
time for about half the price.'' The recent trade dispute has helped 
these workers obtain the recognition they deserve for their invaluable 
work in keeping commerce moving at our nation's ports.
  According to recent figures, 1.7 tons of cargo a year are handled by 
longshore workers in the United States, with a value of nearly $900 
billion.
  As the Senate debates important questions of international trade and 
fair competition, I welcome this opportunity to pay tribute to these 
skillful, tireless, and courageous workers who do so much to support 
the Nation's economy and our trade with other countries. U.S. longshore 
workers across the Nation deserve America's gratitude--they have 
certainly earned it.

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