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Proclamation proclaiming April 28, 2006 to be Workers Memorial Day in Allegheny County in recognition of workers killed, injured and disabled on the job and calling upon the residents of Allegheny County to rededicate themselves to improving safety and health in the workplace.
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WHEREAS, this year national attention was focused on the explosion at the Sago Mine in West Virginia that claimed the lives of 12 miners, and within just a few weeks time disasters at eight other mines claimed additional lives. These mining tragedies brought to light the dangers faced by workers and the weakness in job safety protections. But the Sago disaster and these tragic deaths were not an isolated event; and
WHEREAS, before this year is over, thousands more workers will be killed and millions will be injured or made sick. Last year job fatalities in the United States increased for the first time in a decade. More than 5,700 workers were killed by job injuries and another 50,000 to 60,000 died from occupational diseases, including more than 10,000 deaths from asbestos-related diseases; and
WHEREAS, Workers Memorial Day, April 28, 2006, is a day in which we rededicate ourselves to the fight to make workplaces safer and as a day to remember these victims of workplace injuries and disease; and
WHEREAS, concerned Americans are determined to prevent these tragedies by renewing our efforts to seek stronger safety and health protections, better standards and enforcement, and fair and just compensation;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Allegheny County Council does hereby proclaim Friday, April 28, 2006 as “Workers Memorial Day” in Allegheny County in recognition of workers killed, injured and disabled on the job. We call upon the residents of Allegheny County to rededicate themselves to improving safety and health in every American workplace.