[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E860-E861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE DENVER AREA LABOR FEDERATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the impressive 
history and notable accomplishments of an exceptional organization in 
the 1st Congressional District of Colorado. It is both fitting and 
proper that we recognize this outstanding organization for its civic 
leadership and record of extraordinary service benefiting the working 
men and women of the Denver area. It is to commend this remarkable 
organization that I rise to honor the Denver Area Labor Federation 
(DALF) on the occasion of its 120th Anniversary.
  While the Denver Area Labor Federation has weathered great adversity 
and tremendous change over the last century, it has always remained in 
the vanguard for economic and social justice. In the many struggles for 
dignity in the workplace, the labor movement in the Denver area 
continues to be a vital force for the rights of workers, for a living 
wage, a safe workplace, good benefits and for the continued well being 
of working families. Since its founding in 1882, DALF has led the way 
in forging strong alliances within the local labor movement, with the 
AFL-CIO, and with numerous community organizations including the 
Colorado Progressive Coalition, Jobs with Justice and the Colorado 
Coalition for Immigrant Rights. It has provided leadership for local 
unions in organizing drives, strikes and contract campaigns. It has 
conducted numerous trainings and education programs for Metro Area 
union members on common sense economics, organizing, political activism 
and community engagement. It has formed the Front Range Economic 
Strategy Center to enable working people to command the expertise and 
resources needed to hold local governments accountable for the 
development of affordable housing, secure health care, and the creation 
of jobs of sufficient quality to support families. It comes as no 
surprise that DALF was honored by the National AFL-CIO Convention for 
``moving the fastest and the farthest on the road to becoming a Union 
City'' and that its political program is recognized nationwide for its 
innovation and success.
  Working people built our communities and our nation and it is the 
sacrifices of the men

[[Page E861]]

and women of the member locals of the Denver Area Labor Federation, 
past and present, to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude. Many of us 
in this country forget how far we've come. There was a time when 
fundamental decency and equity for working people were not a part of 
our shared values--a time when collective bargaining, workplace safety, 
minimum wage and benefits were not part of our common experience. For 
many of us in our community, decent working conditions and the basic 
employment benefits needed to subsist in our society are still out of 
reach. I am deeply appreciative of the invaluable work that the Denver 
Area Labor Federation and its member locals continue to do to advance 
the cause of a livable wage, worker rights and protections and to 
promote decent health care. DALF has made a tremendous impact on our 
community and implicit in its success has been the fundamental 
recognition that good wages, job security and quality health care 
builds a healthy and prosperous community.
  Please join me in commending the Denver Area Labor Federation. It is 
the strong leadership that this organization exhibits on a daily basis 
that continually enhances our lives and builds a better future for all 
Americans.

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