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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Construction workers and members of the Build a |
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Better Texas Coalition are gathering in Austin on March 2, 2011, to |
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promote workplace safety in the construction industry; and |
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WHEREAS, The construction industry plays a significant role |
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in the Texas economy, employing nearly 600,000 men and women and |
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generating $29.2 billion in wages each year; and |
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WHEREAS, Workplace safety in Texas is a serious issue; |
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however, more construction workers die as a result of workplace |
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accidents or conditions in Texas than in any other state; in 2009 |
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alone, 138 people in the Texas construction industry lost their |
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lives; moreover, one in every five construction workers in the |
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state suffers an injury on the job that requires medical attention; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Whenever employers in the industry fail to abide by |
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the law, they hurt the ability of responsible businesses to |
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compete, put the physical safety of their workers at risk, and force |
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taxpayers to pick up costs resulting from their illegal practices; |
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the Build a Better Texas Coalition is a group of businesses, |
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community organizations, faith-based groups, and individuals who |
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seek to foster workplace safety and to level the playing field for |
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responsible businesses; and |
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WHEREAS, Components of a proactive industry approach to |
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worker safety include providing a safe workplace, adequate safety |
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training and rest breaks, and workers' compensation insurance, |
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which ensures that both workers and employers are protected in the |
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event of a workplace accident; and |
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WHEREAS, A strong and sustainable construction industry is |
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essential to the economic prosperity of the Lone Star State, and |
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such an industry is fostered by safe worksite practices; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 2, 2011, as the Day of the Fallen |
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in memory of the thousands of Texans who have died in |
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construction-related accidents and call on leaders in the |
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construction industry to uphold the highest standards of workplace |
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safety. |