WHEREAS:

One hundred years ago in 1918 the U.S. Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the nation's first legislation intended to ban the practice of child labor; and

WHEREAS:

It was not until 1940 that the U.S. Supreme Court finally overturned that decision when it upheld the constitutionality of the Fair Labor Standards Act; and

WHEREAS:

The struggle continues as another U.S. Supreme Court decision this year threatens to weaken the power of the working people of the public sector; and

WHEREAS:

The entire history of the labor movement has consisted of a long string of progress and setbacks particularly regarding U.S. Supreme Court decisions; and

WHEREAS:

On the day before his brutal and senseless death in 1968, Dr. Martin Luthor King, Jr. famously proclaimed that he had seen the Promised Land, and we as a people will get to the Promised Land as he prophetically said in closing, "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

We, the members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, at our forty-third biennial Convention, look to our past and remember that our struggle has never been an easy one and has been fraught with trials and tribulations, and throughout its history this union has remained true to its commitment to economic justice for all; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

With the faith and knowledge that we will get to that Promised Land, we will continue to Rise Up and build on the foundation that was left by those who came before us, and we shall overcome!

SUBMITTED BY:

Ruben Rodriguez, President and Delegate
AFSCME Council 57
California