Senate Resolution No. 692

BY: Senator MAYER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 28, 2023, as Workers' Memorial Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, Each year across the Nation, the Labor Movement observes
Workers' Memorial Day to remember workers killed, injured, or made ill
on the job and to renew the fight for strong safety and health
protections; and

WHEREAS, For decades workers have struggled for improved working
conditions, dignity, and respect on the job; and

WHEREAS, New York, the Empire State, has been built and made great
through the hard work and effort of working people; and

WHEREAS, Many men and women work each day in dangerous environments,
at times under arduous and perilous conditions; and

WHEREAS, The Labor Movement organized for safer working conditions
and demanded action from the government to protect working people; and

WHEREAS, More than 50 years ago on April 28, as a result of the
tireless efforts of the Labor Movement, the Occupational Safety and
Health Act went into effect, granting all citizens the fundamental right
to a safe job and creating the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration; and

WHEREAS, Since that impactful day, unions and allies of the Labor
Movement have won several protections for workers to make jobs less
dangerous and to save lives; however, thousands of workers are still
killed each year and millions more suffer from injury and illness due to
unsafe working conditions; and

WHEREAS, There was a two percent increase in work-related injuries
in 2018, and in 2007, approximately 53,445 workers died of work-related
illnesses; and

WHEREAS, Aside from the unfathomable grief caused by the death of a
person, there are long-term social and economic impacts on the workers'
families and the society at large; and

WHEREAS, The members of this Legislative Body are determined to
ensure that a safe workplace be the norm for all working men and women
and pause in remembrance of those who have imperiled their health and
safety or sacrificed their lives in the performance of their work; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 28, 2023, as
Workers' Memorial Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.