[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 156 (Monday, October 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     LABOR HISTORY MONTH RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 26, 2009

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
support a Resolution expressing the sense of the House that a 
``National Labor History Month'' should be established.
  Today, most Americans work in clean, well-lit, well-ventilated, air-
conditioned workplaces. So it is all too easy to forget the desperate 
conditions in which our grandparents and their grandparents often 
toiled. Child labor was commonplace. Workers were subjected to 
dangerous work environments, and were often forced to put themselves at 
risk of death or serious injury in order to put food on the table for 
their families. Women were especially attractive employees--because you 
could pay them less for the exact same work. The labor movement played 
a leading role in ending these inhumane and unfair practices. And for 
this, all modern Americans owe a debt of gratitude.
  In addition to fighting against the exploitation of workers, labor 
leaders also played a significant role in the civil rights movement, 
fighting to end racial discrimination in the workplace. As early as 
World War II, labor leaders fought to end racial discrimination against 
African-Americans working in the defense industry. And Cesar Chavez's 
United Farmworkers Union fought not only for labor rights, but for 
equal rights for Latinos in countless walks of life. This resolution 
will help us pay tribute to those who put themselves on the line for 
all of America's working men and women.
  What they fought for represents the best of the American character. I 
urge all my colleagues to support this bi-partisan effort to recognize 
the importance of the labor movement to America's history.

                          ____________________