On May 19, 2009, Peter Roskam introduced H.Res.459, expressing support for the dedication of June as “National Safety Month”. Roskam’s resolution states, in part, that the House
(1) supports the designation of ‘National Safety Month’;
(2) recognizes the contributions of the National Safety Council and its ongoing commitment to raising awareness about the need for the implementation of safe practices in our schools and jobs; and
(3) encourages citizens to observe the ‘National Safety Month’ with appropriate ceremonies and educate themselves about the importance of implementing safe practices in our schools and on our jobs to prevent unintentional injury and death.
The National Safety Council is based in Itasca, in Roskam’s district, explaining his sponsorship. It will, not doubt give him a few photo ops with which he will attempt to burnish his rep among his constituents and cover up his history of bad votes in the realm of safety. “Appropriate ceremonies” and self-education is about all we are likely to get from Roskam. He is not a believer in government protection of workers from occupational hazards. Roskam’s corporate clients and his masters at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) don’t approve of OSHA.
Roskam had at least two good opportunities during the 110th Congress to stand up for the safety of workers in the workplace. In both cases he refused.
One was in H.R. 5522, Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act of 2008. Roskam voted against this measure to require the Secretary of Labor to issue interim and final occupational safety and health standards regarding worker exposure to combustible dust, and for other purposes. You can read my post about Roskam’s vote here.
The other was H.R. 2693: Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act to direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue a standard regulating worker exposure to diacetyl. You can read my post about Peter Roskam and the Popcorn Worker here.
Please give Peter Roskam a call and let him know that “appropriate ceremonies” don’t cut it when it comes to workplace safety and that the 6th district needs a Congressman who will stand up to protect workers when it really counts. You can reach him at (202) 225-4561 in Washington or at (630) 893-9670 in Bloomingdale.
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