(This is a guest blog post by Rep. Phil Hare, IL - 17th)
In his 1977 farewell speech to the Minnesota AFL-CIO, just months before his passing, Hubert Humphrey reflected on the optimism and determination required to achieve social change: “Too many people in politics today are afraid…Well, I knew they wouldn’t go for civil rights in 1948, I knew they wouldn’t go for Medicare in 1949, I knew they wouldn’t go for the Peace Corps in 1958…but ultimately, they did. If you are going to be in politics, you have to be a soldier in the battlefield.”
Humphrey’s commitment to public service, civil rights, and the American labor movement inspired Congressman Phil Hare to join the fight for better pay, benefits, and conditions for America’s workers.
Congressman Hare’s appreciation and admiration of Hubert Humphrey stem from his lifetime of achievements that have benefited ordinary Americans. From his early days as mayor of Minneapolis to his service as U.S. Senator and Vice President, Humphrey fought to end racism, which became the cornerstone of his legacy. His impassioned speech at the 1948 Democratic Convention made his convictions about racial equality in America known, and brought the issue to the forefront of the Presidential election despite criticism from Southern Democrats who were displeased with his Civil Rights platform.
Humphrey’s instrumental work on the Humphrey-Hawkins Act helped to better define America’s economic goals and stressed the importance of full employment, citing the value of a hard day’s work to society and the economy. Included in the Humphrey-Hawkins Act was a provision prohibiting discrimination against workers based on gender, race, religion, age, or national origin. Hare is now fighting to extend the same protections to those discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation
Congressman Hare’s own roots as a factory worker for 13 years in Illinois give him a special appreciation for the efforts Humphrey made on behalf of the American worker. Humphrey’s integrity, passion and conviction to protect the rights of all Americans have made a lasting impression on Congressman Phil Hare who wishes to recognize Hubert Humphrey as his Labor Hero on this Labor Day.
In his 1977 farewell speech to the Minnesota AFL-CIO, just months before his passing, Hubert Humphrey reflected on the optimism and determination required to achieve social change: “Too many people in politics today are afraid…Well, I knew they wouldn’t go for civil rights in 1948, I knew they wouldn’t go for Medicare in 1949, I knew they wouldn’t go for the Peace Corps in 1958…but ultimately, they did. If you are going to be in politics, you have to be a soldier in the battlefield.”
Humphrey’s commitment to public service, civil rights, and the American labor movement inspired Congressman Phil Hare to join the fight for better pay, benefits, and conditions for America’s workers.
Congressman Hare’s appreciation and admiration of Hubert Humphrey stem from his lifetime of achievements that have benefited ordinary Americans. From his early days as mayor of Minneapolis to his service as U.S. Senator and Vice President, Humphrey fought to end racism, which became the cornerstone of his legacy. His impassioned speech at the 1948 Democratic Convention made his convictions about racial equality in America known, and brought the issue to the forefront of the Presidential election despite criticism from Southern Democrats who were displeased with his Civil Rights platform.
Humphrey’s instrumental work on the Humphrey-Hawkins Act helped to better define America’s economic goals and stressed the importance of full employment, citing the value of a hard day’s work to society and the economy. Included in the Humphrey-Hawkins Act was a provision prohibiting discrimination against workers based on gender, race, religion, age, or national origin. Hare is now fighting to extend the same protections to those discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation
Congressman Hare’s own roots as a factory worker for 13 years in Illinois give him a special appreciation for the efforts Humphrey made on behalf of the American worker. Humphrey’s integrity, passion and conviction to protect the rights of all Americans have made a lasting impression on Congressman Phil Hare who wishes to recognize Hubert Humphrey as his Labor Hero on this Labor Day.
