[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 117 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 117
Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Laborers'
International Union of North America, and congratulating members and
officers of the Laborers' International Union of North America for the
union's many achievements.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 10, 2003
Mr. Kennedy, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported the
following original resolution; which was placed on the calendar
April 11, 2003
Considered, amended, and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Laborers'
International Union of North America, and congratulating members and
officers of the Laborers' International Union of North America for the
union's many achievements.
Whereas Samuel Gompers, the first president of the American Federation of Labor,
challenged laborers across the country to coordinate their activities
into 1 cohesive unit and, in answer, 25 delegates from 17 cities--
representing more than 8,000 laborers--met in Washington, D.C. on April
13, 1903;
Whereas after 4 days of meetings, these representatives formed the International
Hod Carriers' and Building Laborers' Union of America (Laborers' Union);
Whereas the Laborers' Union was started and built by immigrants and minorities,
and today immigrants and minorities continue to be the fastest growing
segment of the union's membership;
Whereas in 1920, the Laborers' Union backed efforts by African-Americans to win
equal treatment in United States unions;
Whereas by the late 1920's, a boom in construction caused the membership rolls
to approach 100,000, and during this period 3 amalgamations added to the
union's size: the International Compressed Air and Foundation Workers
Union, the Tunnel and Subway Constructors International Union, and the
International Union of Pavers, Rammermen, Flag Layers, Bridge and Curb
Setters, and Sheet Asphalt Pavers;
Whereas the members of the Laborers' Union provided crucial support to the
national defense effort during World War II, and during the post-World
War II industrial boom the Laborers' Union began organizing non-
construction workers in the labor force;
Whereas in 1950, the Laborers' Union built their own training center in Kansas
City, opening the era of high-quality training to help workers advance
and find more opportunity for themselves and their families;
Whereas in 1955, the Laborers' Union affiliated with the AFL-CIO Industrial
Union Department in order to effectively represent the 60,000 laborers
working under the jurisdiction of the Industrial Union Department;
Whereas in 1965, the Laborers' Union officially changed its name to the
Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), to reflect the
continual expansion of the union beyond the construction field;
Whereas during the 1960's, LIUNA successfully organized municipal, State, and
university employees, and in 1968 added the 20,000 member Mail Handlers
Union to their ranks;
Whereas in 1970, intensive lobbying by LIUNA and other unions resulted in the
creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration;
Whereas more than 3,000 members of LIUNA worked round the clock to clean up the
site of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, and
the clean-up was completed 3 months ahead of schedule and under budget;
Whereas LIUNA now consists of approximately 800,000 members in more than 650
locals;
Whereas LIUNA has long played a vital role in building America through the
laying down of new highways, the building of spectacular bridges, the
digging of tunnels and subways, the constructing of new dams and power
plants, factories, and office buildings, the erecting of new schools,
churches, and hospitals, and the building of apartment buildings and
houses throughout the country;
Whereas members of LIUNA work in a wide variety of fields, such as local, State,
and Federal government service, health care, mail handling, custodial
services, shipbuilding, food service, and hazardous waste removal;
Whereas LIUNA is one of the most innovative unions in the labor movement, with
69 state-of-the-art training centers across North America, and is among
the most successful unions at organizing within the labor movement;
Whereas LIUNA is an extraordinary union whose leadership works hard every day to
promote job creation, protect members' health and safety, provide
laborers a strong voice in the workplace, provide extensive skill
training to empower members to reach their full potential, and, perhaps
most importantly, to ensure the dignity, respect, and security for
laborers in the workplace; and
Whereas the efforts of LIUNA in these areas are deserving of our attention and
admiration: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the founding of the
Laborers' International Union of North America, which has made
a tremendous contribution to the structural development and
building of the United States, and to the well-being of
countless workers;
(2) congratulates LIUNA for its many achievements and the
strength of its membership; and
(3) expects that LIUNA will continue its dedicated work and
will have an even greater impact in the 21st century and
beyond, and will enhance the standard of living and work
environment for laborers and other workers in generations to
come.
Attest:
Clerk.