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Today is Labor Day. This is what the United States Department of Labor has to say about the holiday: "It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership -- the American worker."
While Labor Day may have been born of the labor union movement of the late 19th Century, and its first celebrations were set out as parades to show the world "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" during those times, the holiday has evolved into a national celebration of all American workers and what they mean to the economy and wellbeing of this country.
Our Upper Ohio Valley knows first-hand the value of folks with an unmatched work ethic -- and just what can happen when those men and women lose their identity as vital workers. It is important today, then, to take a moment to be grateful for all those who did the work -- some of it back-breaking; some of it brain-draining -- that built our states and our nation.
Today let us remember those that keep the U.S. economy humming -- American men, women and often, teenagers who go to work every day, producing the food we eat, the cars we drive, the electricity upon which we rely and everything else upon which we depend, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
They are the truck drivers who sometimes spend weeks on the road, away from home and loved ones, ensuring our store shelves are stocked.
They are the teachers that dedicate their lives to making those of our children and grandchildren better.
They are the factory workers who focus day in and day out on making the best products.
They are the men and women who work in blistering heat some of the time and in frigid cold part of the year to keep roads passable and water flowing from our taps.
They are men and women who put on a badge when they go to work to protect and serve us, while their families pray they will come home safe. They are the men and women who, without a second thought, enter burning buildings.
They are health care professionals who often work under the pressure of making life-and-death decisions. And yes, they are the teenagers who serve us so they can save money for college.
Americans across this great land are working in a thousand other jobs not just to make ends meet, but to achieve the true American dream -- better lives for their children.
Each and every day, they make our economy work.
Today, then, let us pause to reflect on the real greatness of America: those who provide the labor that is the foundation of our economy.
For those who have the day off, it will be back to the job tomorrow.
But for today, enjoy the break -- and don't forget to give yourself a pat on the back.
You earned it.
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"Labor Day is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race or nation."
-- Activist Samuel Gompers
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"The man who doesn't relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on."
-- Writer and philosopher Elbert Hubbard
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"Without labor, nothing prospers."
-- Poet and philosopher Sophocles