Submitted by the Office and Professional Employees International Union
Referred to the Resolutions Committee
WHEREAS, The American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark is based in the Borough of Haledon, Passaic County, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Haledon served as a haven for free speech during the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike, an epic labor struggle in which over 20,000 IWW silk mill workers rallied outside of the Botto House; and
WHEREAS, The Botto House opened as The American Labor Museum in 1983 as a learning center which teaches thousands of children and adults about the contributions of workers, immigrants and organized labor every year; and
WHEREAS, The American Labor Museum offers changing and traveling exhibits, monthly cultural and annual special events, free labor arts classes, on and off-site tours (through videoconferencing), a free public library, a speakers’ bureau, research assistance and more; and
WHEREAS, The year 2013 marks the 30th anniversary of the American Labor Museum and the 100th anniversary of the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the AFL-CIO recognizes that the American Labor Museum is a national landmark that stands as a Labor Museum and Learning Center; and be it
RESOLVED, That the AFL-CIO recognizes the American Labor Museum for educating the general public, preserving the historic landmark, conserving collections of immigrants, workers and unions, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the AFL-CIO encourages its affiliates to support the activities of the American Labor Museum by becoming members, borrowing traveling exhibits, scheduling classes and/or touring on site or through videoconferencing, utilizing its library of books, dissertations, films and music, inviting speakers to meetings, shopping in the Museum Store, participating and/or sponsoring fundraising events and promoting the museum’s website (www.labormuseum.net) and Facebook page.