[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 7327-7329]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        SUPPORTING THE MISSION AND GOALS OF WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1154) supporting the mission and goals 
of Workers Memorial Day in order to honor and remember the workers who 
have been killed or injured in the workplace.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1154

       Whereas each year, more than 5,500 workers are killed due 
     to workplace-related injuries in the United States, and more 
     than 2,000,000 workers across the world die of workplace-
     related accidents and diseases;
       Whereas each day, an average of 16 workers are killed due 
     to workplace injuries in the United States;
       Whereas there are more than 4,000,000 occupational injuries 
     and illnesses in the United States annually;
       Whereas tens of thousands of Americans with workplace 
     injuries or illness become permanently disabled;
       Whereas worldwide, more people are killed each year at work 
     than in wars;
       Whereas observing Workers Memorial Day allows us to honor 
     and remember victims of workplace injuries and disease; and
       Whereas observing Workers Memorial Day reminds us of the 
     need to strive for better worker safety and health 
     protections: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes Workers Memorial Day to honor and remember 
     workers who have been killed or injured in the workplace;
       (2) recognizes the importance of worker health and safety 
     standards;
       (3) encourages the Occupational Safety and Health 
     Administration, industries, employers and employees to 
     support activities aimed at increasing awareness of the 
     importance of preventing illness, injury, and death in the 
     workplace; and
       (4) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     such a day with appropriate ceremonies and respect.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and insert material relevant to H. Res. 1154 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as she might consume to the sponsor of this resolution, the 
distinguished gentlewoman from the State of Texas, Representative Eddie 
Bernice Johnson.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I thank the gentleman from 
Illinois for bringing this bill to the floor.
  On Monday of this week, millions of people worldwide recognized 
Workers Memorial Day. I introduced H. Res. 1154 because each year this 
country has thousands of workers who are killed due to workplace-
related injuries, and tens of thousands more die of occupational 
illnesses. It is staggering to think that each day an average of 16 
workers are killed due to injuries on the job. Worldwide, more than 2 
million workers die of occupational illness and injuries annually. That 
means more people are killed on the job each year than in wars.
  The bottom line is that everyone deserves a safe and healthy 
workplace. Many of us may take this basic right for granted. But for 
millions of Americans, the threat of being permanently disabled or even 
killed on the job is very real.
  Workers Memorial Day not only recognizes and honors those who have 
been killed or injured on the job, it also reminds us of the 
overwhelming need to improve health and safety standards in our 
Nation's workplaces.
  It has been 38 years since the creation of OSHA, and over this time 
worker health and safety standards have vastly improved. However, there 
is still work to be done, as evidenced by the Sago mine disaster and 
the recent combustible dust explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery in 
Georgia that killed 12 workers.
  Today we will take a step toward improving those safety standards by 
considering the Worker Protection

[[Page 7328]]

Against Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Act. This bill represents a 
pressing need for OSHA standards to prevent combustible dust explosions 
which have killed more than 100 workers since 1980. That's 100 workers 
who went to work in the morning but never returned home to their 
families and loved ones. Workers Memorial Day remembers those workers 
who gave their lives and the families they left behind.
  I would like to thank House leadership and Chairman Miller for his 
support in bringing this resolution to the floor today; and, of course, 
Mr. Davis. I would also like to thank the House Labor and Working 
Families Caucus, and in particular Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, for 
their assistance in bringing this resolution forward. I urge my 
colleagues to support recognizing this Workers Memorial Day.
  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1154, supporting the 
mission and goals of Workers Memorial Day in order to honor, remember 
and pay tribute to the workers who have been killed or injured in the 
workplace.
  Monday, April 28 marked the 20th annual Workers Memorial Day, a day 
to honor our Nation's workers who were injured or lost their lives as a 
result of incidents in the workplace.
  I was honored in my district in York, Pennsylvania, to participate 
with the York Adams County Central Labor Council in a Worker Memorial 
Day ceremony where three individuals were remembered following their 
deaths in the workplace in 2007, and pay tribute to them, with their 
families being in our thoughts and prayers and our sympathies going out 
to them on the loss of their loved ones.
  We remember and pay tribute to all Americans who have given the most 
to ensure our Nation's economic growth and sustainability. On this day, 
we reaffirm our commitment to guarantee a safe and healthy work 
environment for all employees.
  Employers, employees, and the local, State, and Federal Governments 
have all shared in the mission of protecting our Nation's workforce. I 
would note, Mr. Speaker, that labor organizations are not specifically 
mentioned in the resolution, but certainly they have played a 
critically important role in promoting and enhancing workplace safety. 
We all aspire to have hazard-free workplaces, and the combined efforts 
of these groups and individuals have moved us closer towards achieving 
this goal.
  According to OSHA Administrator Edwin Foulke, Jr., in 2006, the 
Department of Labor reported that the Nation's injury and illness 
incident rate of 4.4 per 100 employees was the lowest ever recorded. 
Additionally, fatality rates remain at historic lows. Clearly these 
numbers show that workplaces are getting safer, but we must ensure that 
this trend continues.
  April 28 also commemorated the 37th anniversary of the start-up of 
the Department of Labor's Occupation Safety and Health Administration. 
We commend OSHA for years of hard work and dedication. From day one, 
the agency has promoted a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. 
OSHA's regulations, educational efforts, and enforcement activities 
have enhanced both workplace safety and success across the United 
States.
  Moving forward, it is important to remember that OSHA cannot 
guarantee the safety of our workers by itself. OSHA cannot write and 
enforce rules effectively if it does not receive adequate funding and 
valuable input from all interested stakeholders. We must ensure that 
our efforts to enhance workplace safety provide for this funding and 
input. We must maintain a strong commitment to work with OSHA on its 
mission of protecting the American worker.
  Even one workplace injury or fatality is one too many. Workers 
Memorial Day serves to reaffirm our commitment to protecting all 
employees. On a day when we remember those who have sacrificed so much, 
it is clear Americans must work together to ingrain a culture of safety 
in all workplaces. I am pleased to support this resolution and ask for 
a ``yes'' vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume to close.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Representative Johnson from Texas for 
introducing this resolution, and I am pleased to join with her and with 
Representative Platts in supporting its passage. I rise in support of 
the mission and goals of Workers Memorial Day.

                              {time}  1600

  Workers Memorial Day allows us to honor and remember the many workers 
who have been injured or even killed in the workplace. Unfortunately, 
while the United States loses about 5,500 workers each year, more than 
2 million people die worldwide from workplace-related accidents and 
disease.
  According to the National Safety Council and the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics, the job fatality rate has been cut by 78 percent since 
1970. While direct comparisons of injury data for 2006 and years prior 
to 2003 are not possible due to a change in classification systems, in 
general, declines in workplace fatalities and injuries have been much 
greater in those industries where the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration has targeted its standards and enforcement activities.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, 
which encourages OSHA industries, employers and employees, to support 
activities that increase awareness of the importance of preventing 
illness, injury and death in the workplace.
  I would also like to thank all those who took the time on Monday to 
remember those Americans who were injured, or those who have lost their 
lives due to a workplace accident.
  And so, again, Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Johnson from 
Texas for introducing this timely and important resolution.
  I also thank Mr. Platts, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, for his 
support. But I also thank him for the opportunity to work with him this 
afternoon. It's been a pleasure, as it always is. He is one of the most 
pleasant Members of this House, and it's always a pleasure to interact 
and work with him.
  Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
1154, supporting the mission and goals of Workers Memorial Day, and 
commend my colleague, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson for 
introducing this important resolution.
  Just 2 days ago on April 28th we honored the 20th Annual Workers 
Memorial Day, when people all over the world gathered to remember the 
workers who have been killed or injured on the job.
  April 28th also commemorated the creation of the Occupational Safety 
and Health Administration (OSHA). Since 1970, OSHA has been a driving 
force in improving workplace safety and health conditions across the 
country. However, the Bush administration has sought to stifle that 
progress by downsizing OSHA, favoring employer voluntary programs over 
real enforcement.
  A weakened OSHA has real life-or-death consequences for American 
workers. One such worker is Cintas washroom employee Eleazar Torres-
Gomez--father of four--who was killed on March 6, 2007 when he was 
dragged by a conveyor belt into an industrial dryer.
  Mr. Torres-Gomez's fate is unfortunately too common--16 workers die 
every day in our country from work-related injuries. In 2005 alone, 
over 5,700 workers were killed at work, and the situation is only 
getting worse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the number of 
workplace deaths jumped by more than two percent between 2005 and 2006.
  Last year, Representative Lynn Woolsey and I, along with Senator Ted 
Kennedy introduced the ``Protecting America's Workers Act,'' which 
amends OSHA to cover more workers, increases penalties and strengthens 
protections and accountability. The best way to honor Mr. Torres-Gomez 
and all the other workers who have been killed at their jobs is to 
quickly send this bill to the President's desk.
  Again, I thank Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson for introducing 
this resolution to honor our workers.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr.

[[Page 7329]]

Davis) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. 
Res. 1154.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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