Lucille Roybal-Allard: “Today I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1096 because I believe the time has come to recognize our Congressional…”

“Today I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1096 because I believe the time has come to recognize our Congressional Workers' Right to Organize. Just as celebrated Mexican American Civil Rights Activist and Labor Leader, Cesar Chavez said (`` Se Puede.''). Yes, you can. Madam Speaker, the American Labor Movement was born out of a creed and fundamental belief rooted firmly in protecting the common interests of workers by promoting and advancing the social, political, and economic equality of every man, woman, and child. Throughout our nation's history, workers have come together to bravely share their workplace experiences and illustrate their need for the protected right to organize. The earliest labor unions were inspired by a just society, deriving their ideals from the American Revolution. They sought to create conditions that fostered social equality, celebrated honest labor, and relied on independent and virtuous citizenship. It was the American Federation of Labor, a union, that successfully negotiated wage increases for its members and enhanced workplace safety in the early 20th Century.…”