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. [Page: H2907]
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.
