WASHINGTON U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today hosted the 15th Labor Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies, honoring Steve Young, former National President of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP); Milton Hershey, founder of Hershey Foods Corporation as well as the M.S. Hershey Foundation; and Paul Hall, former President of the Seafarers International Union.
The leaders we honor today were visionaries of courage, conviction, and service. Their ideals made a positive and lasting impact in improving the lives of working Americans, said Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The Labor Hall of Fame was founded in 1989 to honor posthumously those Americans whose distinctive contributions enhanced the quality of life for America’s workers.
Throughout his life, Steve Young dedicated his life to law enforcement, while working diligently for all rank and file police officers. Young was a graduate of the FBI National Academy and served as a member of the Fraternal Order of Police for 26 years. He was also appointed by President Bush to serve on the Homeland Security Advisory Council as well as the Medal of Honor Review Board. In 2001,Young was unanimously elected to serve as the National President of the FOP. Throughout his career he demonstrated a commitment to excellence for the American worker.
At 18, Milton Hershey opened his first candy store. After several disappointing ventures into the world of entrepreneurship and through much hard work, Hershey was able to open the world’s largest chocolate manufacturing plant. During the Depression era he was instrumental in keeping employees at work in his town as he built hotels, offices, and other buildings, as well as a school for children. This year, the town began by Hershey is celebrating its centennial anniversary. He shared his values with his employees, and they are carried on today throughout the ranks at Hershey Foods.
A young, enterprising Paul Hall was the second president of the Seafarers International Union. He contributed significant and far-reaching aid to the U.S. maritime industry. Hall was known by several U.S. Congressmen as The Father of the American Merchant Marine for his role in the passage of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970. When SIU was founded in 1938, Hall was there. He struggled to secure top pay and benefits for his union, but that is not all that he achieved. He established the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Maryland so that young people could have their opportunities for a career at sea.
The Hall of Fame, which is comprised of two-dozen kiosks of memorabilia is located in the North Plaza of the Department of Labor and is open to the public.
OPA News Release: [10/01/2003]
Contact Name: Bob Zachariasiewicz
Phone Number: (202) 693-4686