Contact:
Bill Brockmiller
(608) 386-0753

(La Crosse, Wisconsin) – The family members and friends of Western Wisconsin working people who were killed at work will come together Friday to remember those who have best lost and recommit themselves to enhancing protections for those who work for their daily bread as communities around the country and globe commemorate Workers Memorial Day. 

City of La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat will read a formal proclamation from the City declaring April 28th as Workers Memorial Day in the City of La Crosse. Attendees will honor their own fallen by sharing their memories and reminding the rest of us that one of the best ways to memorialize these workers is by preventing other workers from being killed on the job.

Guest speakers at this year’s event will be:
-Retired Firefighter and Former City of La Crosse Councilman Francis Formanek, leading attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
John Medinger will speak on the local importance and local history of the event.
(Formerally Mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin Assembly 95th, and La Crosse County Board member).

An open mic will be made available for family members and close friends of workers who have lost their life on the job.

This event is part of International Workers Memorial Day, held annually on April 28th, with thousands of groups around the globe uniting together under the banner, “Mourn for the Dead. Fight for the Living!”  This year’s event is the 33rd Annual Observance of Workers Memorial Day.

“Over 4,800 workers are killed on the job every year. That means 13 workers lose their lives on the job every day. Tens of thousands more die of occupational disease each year and almost 3 million more suffer a serious job related injury This ceremony is the very least we can do,” said Bill Brockmiller, President Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO. 

He went on to say, “It is hoped that ceremonies such as ours help prevent future tragedies.”   

In addition to La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat, mourners will be joined by a number of local elected officials including State Senator Jennifer Shilling, Assembly Representatives Jill Billings and Steve Doyle,  La Crosse City Council member Marty Gaul, La Crosse County Board member Dave Holtze, and staff representatives from Congressman Kind and US Senator Tammy Baldwin’s offices.

The event will take place at Green Island Park in La Crosse with workers and other mourners sharing stories of loved ones who were killed on the job.

WHO: Family, working people, and community members
WHAT: Workers Memorial Day
WHEN: April 28, 2016 – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Green Island Park, 2312 7th St S, La Crosse

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