Political Quotes

“as a co-sponsor of this important legislation, I urge my fellow colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 221. The bill amends the Fair Labor & Standards Act to allow youths between the ages of 14-18, who are members of a religious sect or division, to work in businesses where machinery is used to process wood products. This legislation is of great importance to me since my district has the greatest population of Amish residents in Illinois. Instead of continuing formal education past the 8th grade, Amish children typically go to work with their parents or another adult leaning a trade, usually woodworking or farming. This is not an example of ``sweatshops'' where children are forced to work against their will-- this is a tradition that the Amish community has held near and dear to their hearts. Current FLSA language allows the Department of Labor to levy fines up to $20,000 on several Amish businesses, and to confiscate their equipment. This is not only a financial hardship that small business must absorb, but an imposition on secular values. This is not the role of government. This legislation allows Amish children to begin their life's work under the proper supervision of an adult and requires the youth to be properly protected in the various work areas. We should not penalize a religious community and their citizens from pursuing life-long traditions. Once again, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”