There are many things that America's youth are just now discovering about our 39th President Jimmy Carter. One of those discoveries is that Mr. Carter was (and is) very
pro-union.
On Labor Day in 1980, President Carter invited and spoke to Trade Union Representatives at a White House Picnic he held for them. Here are excerpts from that speech:
Via: The American Presidency Project
"The first thing I want to do on behalf of myself and Rosalynn is to welcome you to the White House. As you all know, Labor Day is a uniquely American celebration, designed to let the world know the history and the contributions of working people of our great country. But that's not all that Labor Day is about. Labor Day is also about freedom. It's almost impossible to separate the trade union movement of this world from freedom.
It's also about a struggle of American workers to organize and to demand for themselves, legitimately, better working conditions and at the same time to extend democracy for all Americans."
Just after the first paragraph of his speech, President Carter refers to Poland, a country that just days before had established it's first
Polish Trade Union.
"I'd like to say a special word about Poland. Celebrating our own labor holiday, Americans can look with gratitude and admiration at what the working people of Poland have accomplished. We're inspired and we are gratified by the peaceful determination with which they acted, by their discipline, their tenacity, and their personal courage. The working men and women of Poland have set an example for all those who cherish freedom and honor human dignity. They've shown the world at least two things: one, how to win a victory for labor, and the other one is that the hunger for human rights covers the entire world."
Getting back to America - Mr. Carter discusses the steady progress that has been made.
"We've had a chance for the last 3 1/2 years to work together. We've accomplished a lot. We've cut our dependence on foreign oil drastically in just a short period of time. We now import 20 percent less oil than we did when I first took office. This is 1 1/2 million barrels every day that we do not import which we formerly bought from overseas. And now these billions of American dollars can be used to create American industry, American energy, American jobs for millions of American workers, and to give us a stronger nation in the process, and to remove the temptation from any nation on Earth that might think they can blackmail the United States of America."
"Almost everyone on this lawn has been involved in this struggle. And you know how difficult it has been to finance this tremendous program of conservation and energy production from the windfall profits tax on the unearned earnings of the big oil companies. It's not been easy. But now with that new energy base of a permanent national policy, we can afford to look forward to the future with a great deal more confidence that an exciting, dynamic, bright, productive life can be possible for all Americans."
"And finally, I want the United States, through its strength, military and moral strength both, to continue to stand for peace in the world. With your help, we strengthened our defenses. We negotiated a successful SALT II agreement. We ratified the Panama Canal treaties. We helped to bring peace between Egypt and Israel. We've sustained a level of foreign aid, and we've relighted and kept bright the beacon of human rights. In all these elements of an enlightened American foreign policy, designed for peace abroad and for peace here at home, your support has been invaluable. The American labor movement was built on realism and persistence and our future depends on these same qualities, combined with the idealism which keeps hope alive in the human breast. I look forward to working with you to make our dreams for the future come true."
To read
the full speech and speeches that day by Union Leaders, visit the The American Presidency Project.
In a press conference on August 17, 2015, President Carter announced cancer was spreading throughout his body and he would be undergoing treatment. Our thoughts/prayers are with him and Rosalynn during yet another challenge.
Please join the 'Honoring Jimmy Carter' Facebook Page You can become a member simply by hitting 'LIKE' at the top of the HJC page. Join the tribute!