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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
Secretary of
Labor Elaine L. Chao
2003 Labor Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Frances
Perkins Building
U.S. Department of Labor
Washington, D.C.
Wednesday,
October 1, 2003
Thank you all so much for joining us for this very special
event—the 15th Induction Ceremony for the Department of
Labor’s Hall of Fame.
Before I begin, I want to recognize some special guests.In addition to
the distinguished guests on stage with me whom I will introduce a little bit
later on, and others as well, I am delighted to see Ron Davis, President of the
Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association; Tim Brown, President of the
International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots; Mike McKay, President
of the American Maritime officers, and Baxter Atkinson, National President of
the American Federation of School Administrators.Thank you all so much for
being here.
This is the third 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.
26 Americans are memorialized in the Hall.And today, we will add three
more individuals to this prestigious and permanent exhibition.
The leaders we honor today were visionaries of courage, conviction who
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, Paul Hall, was a giant of the labor movement.As the
second president of the Seafarers International Union, he contributed so much
to the strength of the U.S. maritime industry.In fact, he was known as
“The Father of the American Merchant Marine” for his role in the
passage of the landmark Merchant Marine Act of 1970.
When the Seafarers International Union was established, Paul Hall was
there.And throughout his distinguished career he fought for the kind of pay and
benefits that ensured dignity for America’s merchant mariners.As founder
of the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Maryland—and at that time
that was a very novel concept—he was instrumental in ensuring that young
people would have the opportunity to pursue a career at sea.So, we’re
honored to add his name today to the Labor Hall of Fame.
Our second honoree was also a visionary and a friend of working men and
women, Milton Hershey.At 18, Milton Hershey opened his first candy store, which
grew into the world’s largest chocolate manufacturing plant.During the
Great Depression, he was instrumental in keeping his employees at work, as he
built hotels, offices and schools for children in the town that now bears his
name.In fact, Milton Hershey’s philosophy of good works has touched our
lives here at the Department as well.Ben Helm—the father of Tim Helm from
our Wage and Hour Division—is a graduate of the Milton Hershey School,
worked at the Hershey plant, and he and his wife served as house-parents at the
school.
This year, Hershey is celebrating its centennial.And we are delighted to
honor Milton Hershey and the values that he championed, which are still
practiced every day by the men and women of Hershey Foods.
Our third honoree is Steve Young.In January of this year, the nation
lost one of its finest, and the President and I lost a dear friend with the
passing of Fraternal Order of Police National President Steve Young.We join
with his wife Denise and his sons Staten, Steve and his daughter-in-law,
Karen—who we met at the memorial service-- and his FOP brothers and
sisters in mourning his untimely death.Today, Denise, Steve and Karen have
joined us as well.As President George W. Bush said, “Steve was a great
friend and an honorable and loyal man.”
He cared about his rank and file. And he never forgot where he came from
and who he represented.
We are pleased to induct Steve Young to the Hall of Fame today because
of his service to community and country, his commitment to his fellow officers
and his work on behalf of the civil rights of all citizens.Steve was the first
police labor leader to reach out to the Justice Department to bring equitable
closure to civil rights legislation.And he ensured that communities received
the local support and services they deserved.
As a member of President George W. Bush’s Homeland Security
Advisory Council, and he played a vital role in helping America meet its
heightened security needs in the post-9-11 world.
I am pleased to announce that the Resources and Investments in Spousal
Employment scholarships will be hereby renamed the Steve Young Memorial
Scholarship Program.This program helps spouses of fallen law enforcement
officers care for their families and carry on with their lives.Steve did so
much to create and develop the scholarship program, and it is fitting that it
now bears his name.
It is a privilege, indeed, to honor these three leaders with a place in
the Labor Hall of Fame.They were leaders of courage who fought passionately for
the dignity of all workers.In their own way, 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.
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