Workers Memorial Day, 2013, 25561-25564 [2013-10447]

Download as PDF Vol. 78 Wednesday, No. 84 May 1, 2013 Part III The President tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with D0 Proclamation 8964—Workers Memorial Day, 2013 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Apr 30, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\01MYD0.SGM 01MYD0 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with D0 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Apr 30, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\01MYD0.SGM 01MYD0 25563 Presidential Documents Federal Register Vol. 78, No. 84 Wednesday, May 1, 2013 Title 3— Proclamation 8964 of April 26, 2013 The President Workers Memorial Day, 2013 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Our country boasts the world’s most talented, driven, effective labor force. American workers power our homes and feed our families. They raise skyscrapers, transport goods to market, and manufacture products that are the envy of the world. Together, they form the backbone of our economy. As a Nation, we have an obligation to protect the men and women who perform these vital tasks. Yet tragically, thousands of American workers die on the job each year, and millions more suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. On Workers Memorial Day, we honor them, and we reaffirm that no one should have to put their life on the line to bring home a paycheck. At the turn of the 20th century, laborers faced hazardous conditions. Factory doors were locked from the outside, which prevented quick evacuation in emergencies. A combination of shoddy equipment and fatigue from long shifts made serious injury and death all too common. Career-ending injuries often led to poverty and starvation. From mine shafts to railroads to factory floors, workers began to speak out. Thanks to generations of union organizers and advocates, conditions slowly improved. But it was not until decades later that our laws assured the right to a safe workplace. The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 established comprehensive health and safety standards for the mining industry, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 enacted similar standards for all workers. These statutes remain the cornerstone of our protections today, and my Administration remains committed to enforcing them by ensuring workers know their rights, worksites comply with the law, and wrongdoers are held accountable. Today, our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost a loved one to a workplace accident or work-related illness. But we owe them more than prayers. We owe them action and accountability. While we cannot eliminate all risk from the world’s most dangerous professions, we can guarantee that when a worker steps up to an assembly line or into a mine shaft, their country stands alongside them, protecting their safety and their stake in the American dream. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with D0 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 28, 2013, as Workers Memorial Day. I call upon all Americans to participate in ceremonies and activities in memory of those killed or injured due to unsafe working conditions. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Apr 30, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4705 Sfmt 4790 E:\FR\FM\01MYD0.SGM 01MYD0 25564 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 84 / Wednesday, May 1, 2013 / Presidential Documents IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtyseventh. [FR Doc. 2013–10447 Filed 4–30–13; 11:15 am] VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Apr 30, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4705 Sfmt 4790 E:\FR\FM\01MYD0.SGM 01MYD0 OB#1.EPS</GPH> tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with D0 Billing code 3295–F3

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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 1, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 25561-25564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10447]



[[Page 25561]]

Vol. 78

Wednesday,

No. 84

May 1, 2013

Part III





The President





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Proclamation 8964--Workers Memorial Day, 2013


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 78 , No. 84 / Wednesday, May 1, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 25563]]

                Proclamation 8964 of April 26, 2013

                
Workers Memorial Day, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our country boasts the world's most talented, driven, 
                effective labor force. American workers power our homes 
                and feed our families. They raise skyscrapers, 
                transport goods to market, and manufacture products 
                that are the envy of the world. Together, they form the 
                backbone of our economy. As a Nation, we have an 
                obligation to protect the men and women who perform 
                these vital tasks. Yet tragically, thousands of 
                American workers die on the job each year, and millions 
                more suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. On 
                Workers Memorial Day, we honor them, and we reaffirm 
                that no one should have to put their life on the line 
                to bring home a paycheck.

                At the turn of the 20th century, laborers faced 
                hazardous conditions. Factory doors were locked from 
                the outside, which prevented quick evacuation in 
                emergencies. A combination of shoddy equipment and 
                fatigue from long shifts made serious injury and death 
                all too common. Career-ending injuries often led to 
                poverty and starvation.

                From mine shafts to railroads to factory floors, 
                workers began to speak out. Thanks to generations of 
                union organizers and advocates, conditions slowly 
                improved. But it was not until decades later that our 
                laws assured the right to a safe workplace. The Federal 
                Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 established 
                comprehensive health and safety standards for the 
                mining industry, and the Occupational Safety and Health 
                Act of 1970 enacted similar standards for all workers. 
                These statutes remain the cornerstone of our 
                protections today, and my Administration remains 
                committed to enforcing them by ensuring workers know 
                their rights, worksites comply with the law, and 
                wrongdoers are held accountable.

                Today, our thoughts and prayers are with all those who 
                have lost a loved one to a workplace accident or work-
                related illness. But we owe them more than prayers. We 
                owe them action and accountability. While we cannot 
                eliminate all risk from the world's most dangerous 
                professions, we can guarantee that when a worker steps 
                up to an assembly line or into a mine shaft, their 
                country stands alongside them, protecting their safety 
                and their stake in the American dream.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim April 28, 2013, as 
                Workers Memorial Day. I call upon all Americans to 
                participate in ceremonies and activities in memory of 
                those killed or injured due to unsafe working 
                conditions.

[[Page 25564]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-10447
Filed 4-30-13; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F3
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