[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 62 (Friday, April 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to observe April 28 as 
Workers' Memorial Day and to commemorate all the workers who have 
suffered or died from workplace injury and disease. April 28 marks a 
day of solidarity with workers around the world and of renewed 
commitment to occupational safety and health.
  Since the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration in 1970, the safety and rights of workers has become a 
high priority. Workplace fatalities have dropped by 65 percent. We have 
made significant progress in protecting Americans' right to a safe and 
healthy workplace. However, we can and must do more to protect our 
workers and hold accountable employers who do not comply with safety 
standards and regulations. Even one death or injury is one too many.
  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 3.3 million people in the 
United States suffer a workplace injury each year, and 12 Americans are 
killed each day on the job. The direct and indirect costs of these 
occupational injuries in the year 2010 alone are estimated to fall 
between $159 and $318 billion. The sad truth is that these injuries and 
deaths are entirely preventable.
  As a proud member of the Congressional Labor and Working Families 
Caucus, I have strongly supported legislation to protect the safety and 
wellbeing of American workers and their families. I was a cosponsor of 
the ``Protecting America's Workers Act,'' which would increase 
protections for whistle-blowers, increase the penalties for certain 
violations, and give more rights to injured workers. I have opposed any 
effort to repeal, delay, or weaken the enactment of any health and 
safety standards.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join workers and union members 
across the country in recognizing Workers' Memorial Day and keeping in 
mind its slogan: ``Remember the dead, fight for the living.'' On this 
day, I would like to honor those who have lost their lives simply by 
going to work and their families who have sacrificed so much.

                          ____________________