Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released to the following statement in recognition of Labor Day:

“Today we honor the women and men who through their commitment, hard work and dedication built the economic foundation of our modern day civil society. The dogged determination of the American worker has transformed our nation into a global economic powerhouse. It is fitting that the first day of September has been set aside in honor of the skill, ingenuity and perseverance displayed by the American Worker and the role that the have played in building a prosperous nation. Here in Brooklyn we commemorate Labor Day better than any place in the world, with the West Indian-American Day Carnival Parade, in which hundreds of thousands of people will honor the culture of Caribbean-Americans and reflect on their contributions to the building of our nation. Let us also take this opportunity to renew our commitment to workers across the United States, by developing policies that reward hard work rather inherited wealth, such as fair tax laws, an increase in the minimum wage, work authorization for Americans without legal status, protection of the collective bargaining rights of organized labor , and the elimination of the disparity in wages between men and women. As our workers have built the foundation for the United States economy, let us all pledge today to continue the work of building upon the foundation of economic prosperity with justice, fairness and equity for them and for future generations to come. Let us create an economy that allows every family to pursue the American Dream.”
 

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.