Waters Awarded by South County Labor

Waters Awarded by South County Labor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of House Financial Services Committee, was honored last month by California's South County Labor organization. The group's leadership recognized Congresswoman Waters as a "True Labor Shero" for her steadfast support of working families throughout her public service career. In her prepared acceptance remarks, Congresswoman Waters noted the precipitous rise in economic inequality throughout America and encouraged the labor movement to continue its efforts to reduce inequality and protect the financial security of working class Americans.

"The time is now to renew the fight they started," said Congresswoman Waters, referring to legendary labor organizers. "I don't have to recite the data to you because many of you have lived it. You feel what is happening to the average working person in America. The attacks on labor unions over the last half a century have coincided with a drastic increase in income inequality, a widening wealth gap, and the uncertainty of many Americans' financial security. Americans are paying the price for all the attempts to dismantle organized labor. This is precisely why we have to reignite the power of our unions."

Congresswoman Waters also thanked the leaders of the South County Labor for the award and their steadfast community involvement, including Joel Barton of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11; Chester Wasko, of Operating Engineers Local 12; Dick Amemia of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers; Dawn Brawnsema of the California Teachers Association; and Richard Alonzo of UAW 148.

"I also want to commend you on your outreach to our young people," said Congresswoman Waters. "I know South County Labor is actively teaching students from our local schools about the role labor unions play in providing equal opportunities. I can't say enough how incredibly valuable this outreach is to the next generation. Many young people don't know the history of labor – they simply take it for granted and believe that things have always been the way they are now. But certainly, we know that every step forward was achieved with a fight. This history ought to be imbued in our future generation."

Congresswoman Waters has held office in the state of California since 1976, when she was first elected as a State Assembly member. Rep. Waters was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990 and has served 13 consecutive terms. She has chaired the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and served as Chief Deputy Whip of the House. In 2012, Rep. Maxine Waters was elected Ranking Member of House Financial Services Committee, becoming the first woman and African American of either party to serve as the senior member of the committee that oversees the entire financial services industry, including the banking sector, the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

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