Congressman Major Owens Holds Worker Memorial Day Hearing

April 25, 2003
Saying, "We must fight to protect working families on many fronts with a multitude of battles," said Congressman Major R. Owens, (D-NY), announcing that the first of a series of activities to promote laws and regulations to protect and enhance workplace safety will be held Monday, April 28 in Manhattan.

"At a time when workers are making great sacrifices in blood as well as sweat, we must mount a counter offensive against cold-blooded exploiters who believe workers are expendable," he added.

Owens, the ranking Democrat on the House Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the Committee on Education and the Workforce said the hearing will be held at the Borough of Manhattan Community College,199 Chambers Street and the West Side Highway. The hearing will begin at 11 a.m.

"It is vital to discuss how we can better protect workers who respond to catastrophes such as the World Trade Center site," said Owens.

He notes reports from recent preliminary findings from the World Trade Center Worker & Volunteer Medical Screening Program indicate more than 50 percent of the workers who responded to the rescue and clean-up at the WTC have suffered respiratory and other WTC-related symptoms up to a year following 9/11.

"It is appropriate for this hearing to be held on Worker Memorial Day; a day when we 'Mourn for the dead and fight for the living,'" he noted.

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 23, 2025
Learn about lone working laws in the US, key hazards and risks, and get actionable advice on how to keep your lone workers safe.
June 23, 2025
Chemical substitution can quickly get messy, with unclear steps and the risk of swapping one hazard for another. This checklist helps you avoid costly mistakes, prioritize which...
June 23, 2025
A mature approach to health and safety means making safety a core part of your culture, where everyone plays a role and performance is measured by more than just numbers. In this...
June 23, 2025
Behavior-based safety focuses on observing and encouraging safe behaviors to reduce workplace risks. Experts explain how strong safety culture, clear methods, and digital tools...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!