|
 Printer-Friendly Version
Remarks Delivered by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
18th Annual Labor Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Frances Perkins Building
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Thank you all so much for joining us for this very special event — the 18th Induction Ceremony for the Department of Labor's Hall of Fame.
I want to welcome all of our special guests here today, including family members of our honorees, Alfred Smith IV and his lovely wife, Nan, and Kevin Walgreen [Walgreens Senior President of Operations].
Representing New York, where Al Smith served as governor, is U.S. Representative Peter King. And we're pleased to have U.S. Representative Judith Biggert of Illinois here, as well. Representing the company founded by Charles Walgreen is David Bernauer, Chairman and former CEO of the Walgreen Company, better known as Walgreens.
And let me also welcome President Mike Sacco of the Seafarers, and Ed Kelly, National Vice President of the American Maritime Officers. Good to see you both.
And I would also like to recognize John Gans, CEO of the American Pharmacists Association.
This is the sixth time I've hosted this event, and each year I look forward to sharing the stories of the leaders who are recognized in the Labor Hall of Fame.
Since 1988, the Labor Hall of Fame has honored Americans who have made significant contributions to improving the quality of life for working men and women in America. Each has a wonderful story to tell. Some are the legendary leaders of organized labor — Samuel Gompers, Lane Kirkland, and George Meany. Others are entrepreneurs who made concern for workers a top priority. They include founders of such well-known businesses as Harley-Davidson and Johnson and Johnson. Their worker-friendly policies helped labor and management cooperate, compete and win in the worldwide economy. The rescue workers of 9/11 were inducted into the Hall of Fame as a group — they continue to be an inspiration to us all.
Today, two more leaders are added to this distinguished group.
Today's first honoree is Alfred Emanuel Smith. Known to all Americans as "Al Smith," he rose from humble beginnings to become an influential leader of our country. His father died when he was only fourteen, so Al Smith took a job at the Fulton Fish Market to help support his family. Al went on to marry his sweetheart, Catherine Dunn, after five years of courtship. Together, they raised five children.
Al's first leadership position was serving as a state assemblyman in the New York State Assembly. Al proved to be a quick study. When New York City looked to revise its charter, Al emerged as one of the most informed and most articulate debaters on the floor, defending the home rule and the rights of the "plain people." He quickly rose to majority leader and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. And in 1913, he became Speaker of the State Assembly. He was an advocate for all kinds of protections to benefit workers: improvements to workers' compensation laws, wage and hour regulations for women and children, and sanitary, health, and fire laws.
One of his finest hours came when he served as vice chairman of the New York commission appointed to investigate factory working conditions after the tragic fire in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. The story is known to many. It was just about closing time, on March 25, 1911. 500 men and young women were finishing a long day. Most of them were immigrants. A fire broke out in the upper floors of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory building and spread quickly. Locked exit doors trapped many inside, leading to the deaths of more than 145 workers. Al Smith helped investigate both the fire and the working conditions that contributed to this tragedy.
Al Smith was elected to several other positions during his career, including Governor of New York. Governor Smith also ran for president of the United States. Later, he took a job as the president of Empire State, Inc., the corporation that built and operated the Empire State Building, which created many good-paying jobs in the construction industry. Al Smith made a career out of improving the lives of working Americans, which is why he is being honored in the Labor Hall of Fame today.
With us today is Alfred E. Smith IV, and a representative of Governor Smith's state, the honorable Peter King, Congressman from New York's Third Congressional District.
Our second honoree, Charles Rudolph Walgreen, Sr., was born on an Illinois farm to Swedish immigrants. After finishing high school, he went to a business college, and then took a job in a local factory. During an accident at work, he lost the top joint of his finger in a machine accident and was unable to continue factory work.
Later, he found a job with Valentine's Drug Store in Chicago. Mr. Valentine encouraged the young Walgreen to take on more management duties and to study pharmacy books in his store. In 1897, Walgreen passed Illinois' pharmacy licensing examination.
The next step would have been to open his own store, but the Spanish American War started, and Charles Walgreen joined the Illinois National Guard to serve his country. In Cuba, he contracted Yellow Fever but survived. He finally acquired his first store in Chicago in 1901, and bought his second in 1908.
Charles Walgreen was an innovator. He introduced electric lights and wider aisles in his stores. He also added soda fountains and lunch counters. In 1920, one of his employees made history by inventing the malted milkshake.
But it was his concern for workers that earned Charles Walgreen a place in the Labor Hall of Fame. He offered partnership opportunities at each store, provided bonuses and stock offerings, and promoted from within. As a result, employee turnover was one of the lowest in the retail sector and remains that way today. By 1934, the chain had 483 stores and 12,000 employees.
When the Great Depression hit the nation, and profits fell 50 percent in a single year, Charles Walgreen continued to make concern for his workers a number one priority. He set aside an emergency fund for Walgreen's employees and retirees. When he died in 1939 at the age of 66, his $500,000 life insurance policy was used to start an employee retirement fund. Today this fund is called the Walgreen Profit Sharing Plan. It was one of the first such programs in the nation, a true "landmark in American industrial relations."
During World War II, Walgreen's heirs continued his patriotic and pro-worker traditions. They opened a non-profit pharmacy in the Pentagon, and promoted the purchase of war bonds. Charles Walgreen believed that when you invested in workers, you were investing in America.
Both Charles Walgreen, Sr., and Governor Al Smith were visionaries who advanced the causes of working men and women with their dedication, ingenuity and leadership. Our nation and our workforce are stronger today because of their achievements. That is why I am so pleased today to induct them into the Labor Hall of Fame.
It is now my pleasure to welcome Peter King, representative of New York's Third Congressional District.
* * *
Thank you. It is now my pleasure to introduce David Bernauer, Chairman and former CEO of the Walgreen Company. He will represent the company that Charles Walgreen, Sr., founded.
* * *
The Department of Labor is delighted to have these two leaders inducted in the Hall of Fame. Their stories will be an inspiration to every visitor who walks these halls and to generations of men and women looking to emulate the best our country has to offer.
So thank you again for joining us today.
# # #
| 
