Speech at Secretary’s 2002 Awards Ceremony - Philadelphia

SPEECH FOR 89TH ANNUAL SECRETARY'S HONORS AWARDS CEREMONY

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Good Morning.

I am very happy, and proud, to be here and having the opportunity to say a few words at this great ceremony. I am especially proud to be here to honor Bill Brown for his valor.

Bill Brown is a good MSHA inspector, a good union brother and a very good shop steward for Local 644. Bill is a quiet unassuming man who just does his job. What we in the Labor movement call an Everyday Hero. A HERO EVERYDAY. Those of who know Bill are not surprised by this heroic act; in fact we expect it of him. The union knew about this a year ago, but he asked us not to make a deal about it. He just did what he had to do ... A HERO EVERYDAY.

Bill goes into coalmines at some risk to his life to protect the mineworker ... a HERO EVERYDAY. Not unlike the rescue workers at the World Trade Center who were honored in the video, HEROES EVERYDAY. Men and women, all of which were members of the American Labor movement who died on September 11 in a valiant effort to save lives. Yes, all of the rescue workers were union members, HEROES EVERYDAY.

On September 11, we witnessed the American Labor movement run to the Towers to save lives and on September 12, we witnessed American Big Business run for the offshore to save their investments. While not as well documented, those of who saw the attack on the Pentagon marveled at the fact that federal workers and military who have gotten to safety saw some fellow workers in trouble and ran back to the Pentagon to attempt to save lives. Yes, we saw public workers run back to the Pentagon and heard about public official who just ran to "undisclosed locations." Federal workers ... HEROES EVERYDAY

At Ground zero, construction workers, rescue workers came, even though the buildings were still burning, debris falling, white ash raining down. They came in fire trucks, ambulances, and on construction cranes to save lives... American workers... HEROES EVERYDAY. So many members of the American labor movement showed up at Ground Zero that by the evening of the 11th there were more volunteers than they could use. American Workers ... HEROES EVERYDAY.

Hundreds of OSHA inspectors volunteered to go to Ground Zero to help in anyway they could. American workers ... HEROES EVERYDAY.

We celebrate the heroism of those American workers. All who gave some, some who gave all. We take pride in their sacrifice, proudly displaying our flags and our patriotism. But we at the Department of Labor have a unique opportunity to remember the American worker. Those who built this country, fought its wars and gave at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon ... those Everyday heroes who want their families to have a decent life, want all workers, union or not to have good working conditions and dignity and pride.

We can enforce the labor laws that the American Labor movement fought for to get the past 100 years ... to enforce the minimum wage, overtime and safety laws, to provide the training and opportunities for minorities and women. Just to enforce the regulations as Congress intended when the labor laws were enacted, not make it easier for big business. Big business did not show up on 9-11, no limos drove into Ground Zero.

If we want to honor those Everyday Heroes, then we need to keep faith with the American worker. Everyone in this room can honor Bill Brown and all of the courageous American workers of 9-11 by doing our utmost to protect the American worker ... HEROES EVERYDAY!

Thank you and God Bless America!