IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 452 
Recognizing and honoring America’s labor movement, supporting the 
designation of a National Labor History Month, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 16, 2004 
Mr. LAMPSON (for himself, Mr. SIMMONS, Ms. LOFGREN, Ms. CARSON of In-
diana, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. ENGLISH, Mr. DINGELL, 
Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. FROST, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. 
MCNULTY, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. DEUTSCH, Ms. 
JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. SANDLIN, and Mr. BELL) submitted the fol-
lowing concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Education and the Workforce 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Recognizing and honoring America’s labor movement, sup-
porting the designation of a National Labor History 
Month, and for other purposes. 
Whereas the labor movement has greatly impacted the quality 
of life of all Americans; 
Whereas in the early 20th century, millions of Americans left 
their farms to begin new lives as factory workers; 
Whereas many of these individuals found neither secure em-
ployment nor higher wages at their new jobs;
•HCON 452 IH 
Whereas the industrial economy brought these workers ex-
ploitation, continued poverty, and the risk of injury and 
death; 
Whereas students of United States history vividly recall the 
images of filthy children emerging from mills and mines, 
stories of terrible fires and explosions, and the grim leg-
acy of the slums that emerged in factory towns; 
Whereas efforts to eliminate child labor, sweatshops, and 
workplace disasters began to succeed only after workers 
organized and spoke with a united and independent voice; 
Whereas the American labor movement helped the first gen-
eration of industrial workers express their aspirations 
and insecurities, and empowered them with the necessary 
tools to define the terms and conditions of their employ-
ment and expand the role of labor in larger society; 
Whereas in facing the challenges posed by global competition 
and rapid technological advances, the workers of the 21st 
century need the same effective leadership that allowed 
their forebears to succeed; 
Whereas many Americans, members of union and non-union 
households alike, are unaware of these struggles; 
Whereas the United States has recognized other important 
contributions made to this country through designations 
such as National Women’s History Month and National 
Black History Month; 
Whereas the celebration of Labor Day on the first Monday 
of September, while a cherished holiday by all accounts, 
is inadequate for educating the public about the many 
contributions that unions, union members, and other 
working people have made to the lives of working fami-
lies;
•HCON 452 IH 
Whereas many resources exist within various colleges, univer-
sities, and international union training centers to help 
educate union members on the importance of these labor 
struggles; and 
Whereas each new generation of workers must embrace the 
activism that has characterized labor’s rich history, and 
all Americans should recognize the role that labor has 
played in the continuing progress of the democracy of the 
United States: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress— 
(1) honors and recognizes the American labor 
movement; 
(2) supports the designation of a National 
Labor History Month; and 
(3) urges government officials, educators, the 
media, and all Americans to observe a National 
Labor History Month with ceremonies, activities, 
and programs that encourage reflection on the labor 
movement’s heritage and its many contributions to 
the creation and maintenance of a just America. 
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