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“HONORING THE LIFE OF SENATOR ROBERT GRIFFIN AND RECOGNIZING HIS INDUCTION INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S HALL OF HONOR” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1211 on Sept. 26, 2019.
The Department provides billions in unemployment insurance, which peaked around 2011 though spending had declined before the pandemic. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, claimed the Department funds "ineffective and duplicative services" and overregulates the workplace.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF SENATOR ROBERT GRIFFIN AND RECOGNIZING HIS
INDUCTION INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S HALL OF HONOR
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HON. JACK BERGMAN
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Mr. BERGMAN. Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the life and service of the late Senator Robert Griffin on the occasion of his induction into the Department of Labor's Hall of Honor. Through a lifetime of unparalleled leadership and devotion to the public good, Senator Griffin became an indispensable part of the state of Michigan.
Robert Paul Griffin was born November 6, 1923, in Detroit, Michigan. The son of an auto factory foreman, Griffin spent his youth working on auto assembly lines. During the Second World War, Robert enlisted in the 71st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, where he served from 1943 until 1946. Following his military service, Robert attended Central Michigan University and went on to earn his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1950. He practiced law in Traverse City until his election to the U.S. House of Representatives as the Congressman for what was then Michigan's Ninth District in 1956.
Representative Griffin became a national leader in the fight against organized crime and union corruption, eventually helping to create the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959--also known as the Landrum-Griffin Act. This landmark piece of Labor legislation has helped to promote democracy, weed out corruption, and allow members to participate more freely in the affairs of their union. After serving in the House for five terms, Griffin was appointed to a vacant Senate seat, where he would go on to win reelection and serve as the Senate Minority Whip. Following his time in the Senate, he returned to Traverse City to practice law until his election to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1986. He served on the Court until his retirement in 1994. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 91.
In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Landrum-Griffin Act, the U.S. Department of Labor has inducted Senator Griffin and former National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Howard Jenkins, Jr., into the Department's Hall of Honor. With his lifetime of promoting fair and responsible practices in unions, none are more deserving of this honor than Senator Griffin. The impact of his life's work on the people of the United States cannot be overstated.
Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the incredible life of Senator Robert Griffin and his induction into the Department of Labor's Hall of Honor. His family can take great pride in knowing that the legacy of this dedicated leader will live on for generations to come.
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