[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN COMMEMORATION OF WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY

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                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 1999

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Workers Memorial Day, I rise to 
pay tribute to the brave individuals who have tragically lost their 
lives or who have been injured while performing duties in service to 
their employers.
  My district is home to numerous plants and factories which provide 
gainful employment opportunities for many of my constituents. We all 
recognize that industrial and physically intensive jobs are necessary 
occupations which drive our manufacturing economy but often times 
involve very dangerous tasks. I praise the men and women who perform 
these jobs and take the risks to provide for a good life for themselves 
and their loved ones and who produce the products that make all of our 
lives easier or more comfortable. Unfortunately, we seldom recognize 
the dangers associated with an industrialized workplace until there is 
an accident or incident and we in Congress need to make sure that our 
Nation's workplace safety laws provide for the maximum level of safety 
for the men and women who perform dangerous jobs day in and day out.
  It is a terrible occurrence any time a worker loses his or her life 
or suffers an injury while on the job, but February 1, 1999 was an 
especially tragic day in my district. This was the day of the explosion 
at Ford Motor Company's Rouge Power Plant which took the lives of six 
workers and caused serious injuries to several more. The men who lost 
their lives in the explosion were Donald Harper, Cody Boatwright, Ron 
Moritz, Ken Anderson, John Arseneau, and Warren Blow. All were brave, 
loving and caring family men, proud members of the United Auto Workers 
and loyal Ford Motor Company employees. It is fitting on this Workers 
Memorial Day that we pay special tribute to our fallen brothers of the 
Rouge explosion and let their families and friends know that they will 
always be remembered.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect on this Workers Memorial Day 
that I remember and honor all our brothers and sisters who have 
sacrificed their lives or who have suffered an injury while on the job. 
I ask that my colleagues also join me in honoring the men and women to 
whom Workers Memorial day is dedicated.

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