THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President

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For Immediate Release

April 28, 2000

STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT COMMEMORATING 12th ANNUAL WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY

I am honored to join the thousands of Americans across the nation who are holding events to remember those workers who have been injured or killed on the job. As we commemorate the victims of workplace hazards, we must also renew our commitment to fight for the elimination of those hazards.

Since 1993, the Administration has fought to improve conditions for American workers. We have strengthened the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), making them more effective and more efficient. We have proposed stronger whistle-blower protections for workers, and an ergonomic standard that will prevent 300,000 injuries and save businesses $9 billion a year in workers' compensation costs.

Over the past seven years, I have successfully fought every piece of legislation that would undermine health and safety protections for workers. And this year, the Administration has proposed the seventh consecutive increase in funding for OSHA and MSHA to support enforcement and compliance assistance activities.

While workplace fatalities and injuries have steadily declined—one worker killed or injured on the job is still one too many. I am more determined than ever to continue this progress, and to make sure that all workers are covered under our job safety laws. Working together, we can make lasting improvements in the health and safety of all American workers.

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