|
Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S.
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
16th Annual Labor Hall of Fame Induction
Ceremony
Frances Perkins Building
Washington, D.C.
Wednesday,
October 13, 2004
Thank you.
Thank you all so much for joining us for this very special
event—the 16th Induction Ceremony for the Department of Labor's Hall of
Fame.
Before I begin, I want to recognize some special guests. Thank you all
so much for being here.
This is the fourth time I've hosted this event, and it is something I
look forward to every year.
Since 1988, the Labor Hall of Fame has honored Americans who have made
historic contributions to improving the quality of life for working men and
women and their families.
29 individuals—and the rescue workers on 9/11 as a group—are
memorialized in the Hall. Today, we will add 5 more individuals to this
prestigious and permanent exhibit.
The leaders we honor today were visionaries of courage and conviction.
And they had a sense of service. Their ideals made a positive and lasting
impact in improving the lives of working Americans—not only here in
America, but all around the world.
Our first honoree, Peter J. McGuire, was a giant in the labor movement.
He formulated the convictions that led him to become a labor activist at a
young age. At 11, he sold newspapers, shined shoes and cleaned stores to help
support his family.
Later, Peter learned a trade, becoming a piano craftsmen. And though his
formal education was short, he never lost his spirit of curiosity and was
always eager to learn. So, he attended courses and lectures at the Cooper
Union. The speeches he heard and the difficult working conditions of his
carpentry job inspired Peter to fight for change. He spent his life as an
advocate for workers. In the process, he founded the United Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Joiners, one of the finest labor organizations in the
country—and the Department of Labor's neighbor.
Peter's convictions helped set the standard of the 8-hour workday, led
to higher wages for carpenters and assistance for the unemployed. He not only
fought for workers, he honored them as a founder of Labor Day. So, we honor
Peter J. McGuire today—almost 100 years since his death—for his
tireless and passionate work to improve working conditions, ensure fair wages
and support help for those in difficult times.
Accepting the award on behalf of Peter McGuire is Bob Terreri, New
Jersey State Council President of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.
And our next inductees' product is a household name. They are William
Harley, Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson and William Davidson—the founders
of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the developers of the first motorcycle.
Their original goal was to take the work out of riding a bicycle—imagine
that! So, they began experimenting with a gas combustion engine small enough to
fit on a bicycle. In a little wooden shed, they developed that engine and more
than 100 years later, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle is still king of the road.
After the first motorcycle was sold in 1903, Walter Davidson and William
Davidson started helping their brother and his friend build motorcycles and
start the new company. Their unique talents were put to work building and
expanding their manufacturing facilities and operations, a worldwide network of
dealerships and hiring creative and innovative workers. Harley-Davidson employs
8,000 workers worldwide and has 1,300 dealerships in 48 countries. Part of its
success is the high value Harley-Davidson places on its workers, many of whom
own and operate Harleys themselves. It's no surprise that the company is known
in the industry for the strong, positive relationship between management and
workers.
Today, we honor the Harley-Davidson founders for their spirit of
entrepreneurship and innovation, their commitment to excellence and dedication
to workers and customers alike.
It is a privilege, indeed, to honor these 5 men with a place in the
Labor Hall of Fame. They were men of courage who fought passionately for the
dignity of all workers. Each in his own way, broke new ground for all of us,
and in the process made tremendous contributions to our workforce, our country
and the future of freedom itself.
Now, it is my pleasure to proceed with the program.
It is my pleasure to introduce President Doug McCarron of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, who will present Peter J.
McGuire for induction into the Labor Hall of Fame. The Carpenters is one of the
oldest and largest labor unions in our country, representing 520,000 highly
skilled men and women in the building trades. Its members have helped build
every city and town in modern day America. Please welcome President
McCarron.
Thank you, President McCarron.
It is now my pleasure to introduce Bill Davidson who is the Director of
Motorcycle Product Development at the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. He is also
the great-grandson of William A. Davidson. Bill will present William S. Harley,
Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson and William A. Davidson for induction into the
Labor Hall of Fame.
Thank you, Bill, for being here, and thank you to all the
Harley-Davidson folks here as well.
And thank you, Pat Pizzella [Assistant Secretary, OASAM], and
your staff, for your work to make this event possible.
We at the Department of Labor are delighted to have these leaders
included in the Hall of Fame. Their stories will be an inspiration to every
visitor that walks these halls and to generations of men and women looking to
emulate the best our country has to offer.
We are honored at the Department of Labor to induct these courageous and
visionary men.
Thank you, again, for joining us today for this historic ceremony and
occasion.
# # #
_________________________________________________________________
| 
