PS Just this past week the new parent company of a financial institution in North Highlands announced that 1,100 jobs were being terminated and the work was to be sent overseas. The Bay Area, in fact the whole state, is still realing from the closing of the Fremont automobile plant.

 

 

 

 

 

The History of Labor Day

http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Labor Day Legislation

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

A Nationwide Holiday

The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

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Secretary of Labor Remarks

http://www.dol.gov/laborday/

Hello, I’m Hilda Solis . . . your Secretary of Labor. 

I want to spend a few minutes today on the significance of this Labor Day.

For most people, Labor Day marks the end of summer . . . or back to school . . . or an election season.  For me, Labor Day has always been what it was originally intended to be: a day to celebrate the contributions that working men and women have made to the strength and prosperity of the country.

It’s become somewhat of a tradition for Labor Secretaries to use Labor Day to speak on the status of the American worker . . . to give a “State of the American Worker” report, if you will.

Some have made remarks from podiums or pulpits.  Others have testified on Capitol Hill.  Some have chosen to address think tanks, corporations, or labor unions.

Those are all important forums . . . but I wanted to talk directly to you – the American worker. I want to share with you what I’ve seen and heard from many of you in my travels across the country during the past year. 

Many of you have told me that you want an America that “produces things again.”  You want a nation that is strong, that leads the international marketplace in innovation and a commitment to quality. And you want a government that is responsive, pragmatic and understands your needs.

But more than anything else, no matter where I go and who I talk to, you’ve told me “we need jobs.”

So I want you—and every single working family across the nation—to know two things:

First, what this administration, and in particular, this Labor Department is doing on your behalf, and

And second, how we plan to move forward.

Right now, despite the fact that we have added private sector jobs to the economy for seven straight months, the nation’s unemployment rate hovers above nine percent.  For young people, people of color, and people in regions of the country hit hardest by the recession, the rate is much higher.

Look, I’m not an economist . . . so I don’t just deal in statistics.  But I do deal with real people, who have real needs and who are looking to government for real answers.  And, I’ve met many of the people these unemployment numbers represent.  I’ve heard their stories of hardship and success. 

In the cities and towns I’ve been to this past year, I’ve never once heard working people--or people who need and want work--demand special treatment.  Americans don’t want a hand out . . . they just want a level playing field with clear rules, an opportunity to work hard, and a fair chance to provide for their families and  get ahead.   

These are the people I think about every single day.  These are the people I work for, and the ones who constantly renew my faith in the American worker.

And you can be certain that, like the President, I will not stop working until every American is back on their feet—and we have fulfilled our mission to provide “good and safe jobs for everyone.” 

We are making important inroads towards that goal, so let me tell you—briefly—what we have done so far to get there.

First and foremost, we’ve reversed the dangerous trend of job loss in our country because just over a year ago, we were losing almost 700,000 jobs per month. We were on the verge of another Great Depression.  We took immediate action to stop the bleeding and create jobs. 

Now, instead of losing jobs, we have actually added them in the private sector every month.  We have averaged about 90,000 jobs for the last seven months.

But something else too . . . and this is important:  Our efforts, most notably the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, SAVED millions of American jobs in the auto manufacturing industry.  Those efforts also kept health care workers in clinics and community hospitals.  They kept hundreds of thousands of teachers in classrooms, and police and firefighters on the beat—where they should be. 

We’ve also focused on the engine of job creation, and that’s small businesses.   I’ve seen time and time again the big impact that small business hiring has on a local community. Access to capital is key, so we’ve expanded credit to small businesses.  Now, we are making it possible for American entrepreneurs to create and grow businesses that will put people to work.

We are taking actions that have meaning today and tomorrow.  One of those actions involves rebuilding our national infrastructure, which is so critical.  As a result of our quick and bold actions, millions of people are at work, building and rebuilding American roads, bridges, ports and high speed railways.

And we are also investing in a new American foundation and a whole new American industry and employer: and that’s clean energy.  We look at that investment two ways: advances in biofuels, wind and solar power, will not only reduce our dependence on foreign energy, but also reenergize the American manufacturing sector. 

I’ve long believed that green jobs can be great jobs, and jobs every American can take advantage of.  Green jobs can be a new and exciting pathway to the middle class and these jobs will not be outsourced.  

These jobs require skill and preparation... and hard work.  I’ve heard often in my travels that Americans want an America where hard work is rewarded.  As your Labor Secretary, I want that too. 

That’s why I am pleased that this Administration is making student loans more affordable and available to all young people.  At the Labor Department, we are ensuring the future success of workers at every age through job training opportunities that lead to real jobs in emerging industries like health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and of course, clean and green energy.  

Now, as we’ve done all that, we’ve also strengthened the safety net for America’s workers.  We’ve expanded unemployment insurance programs in nearly 40 states, so more people may receive benefits. And, after decades of failing to reign in the out-of-control health care system, our reforms will control costs, improve care, minimize fraud and provide security for millions of American families. 

These are important steps, but they are just part of the story.  The big question now is: What’s next?  So on this Labor Day, my message to you is this:  We have a lot of work to do. Together. 

In the weeks and months ahead, policy makers will be debating what should come next.  There are some who will suggest that when times are tough, it’s time to get tough on working people.  They’ll suggest that we cut back on worker training, to cut back on worker safety . . . and to cut back on giving workers a voice in their workplace. 

I totally disagree.

To those who say we can no longer afford to train, retool and educate our workforce, I say we cannot afford NOT to.

To those who want to cut corners and disregard safety in the workplace, I say:  Keeping workers safe matters far more than saving a few cents.

And to those who want to deny workers a voice in the workplace, let me be clear: This Secretary of Labor recognizes respects and celebrates a workers’ right to organize and bargain collectively.

As individuals, and as a nation, we have very important choices to make, and each one merits careful and informed discussion.  So in the weeks and months ahead, I hope we can continue this conversation.  Each and every one of us has something at stake, and we simply cannot afford to make the wrong choices.

Thanks and please know that your Labor Secretary wishes you a safe and happy Labor Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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http://www.pmmonlinenews.com/2010/09/exports-and-imports-through-california.html 

Friday, September 10, 2010

 

 

 

From the Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will christen and launch the dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), Sept. 11 during a 10 a.m. PDT ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.

The ship is named to honor naval aviation pioneer Capt. Washington Chambers.

Rear Adm. Richard J. O'Hanlon, commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, will deliver the ceremony's principal address.

Loretta Penn, wife of former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment and former Acting Secretary of the Navy, B.J. Penn, is the sponsor, and in accordance with Navy tradition, will break a bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen the ship.

Continuing the Lewis and Clark-class tradition of honoring legendary pioneers and explorers, the Navy's newest underway replenishment ship recognizes Chambers for his major role in the early development of naval aviation. Responsible for the Navy's emerging aviation activities, Chambers arranged the world's first airplane flight from a warship. The Nov. 14, 1910, flight by aviator Eugene Ely on the light cruiser USS Birmingham (CL 2) confirmed the potential of carrier-based naval aviation.

Designated T-AKE 11, Washington Chambers is the 11th ship of the 14-ship class. As a combat logistics force ship, Washington Chambers will help the Navy maintain a worldwide forward presence by delivering ammunition, food, fuel and other dry cargo to U.S. and allied ships at sea.

T-AKE 11 is the first Navy ship named after Chambers. As part of Military Sealift Command's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, Washington Chambers is designated as a U.S. naval ship and will be crewed by 129 civil service mariners and 11 Navy sailors. The ship is designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea and can carry two helicopters. The ship is 689 feet in length, has an overall beam of 106 feet, has a navigational draft of 30 feet, displaces approximately 42,000 tons and is capable of reaching a speed of 20 knots using a single-shaft, diesel-electric propulsion system.

For more news, visit www.navy.mil.

For more on the Lewis and Clark T-AKE class ships, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_class_dry_cargo_ship.

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Name:	Washington Chambers
Namesake:	Washington Chambers[1]
Awarded:	12 December 2008[2]
Builder:	National Steel and Shipbuilding[2]
Laid down:	25 August 2009[1]
Status:	Under construction
General characteristics
Class and type:	Lewis and Clark-class cargo ship
Displacement:	23,852 tons light, 40,298 tons full, 16,446 tons dead[2]
Length:	210 m (689 ft) overall, 199.3 m (654 ft) waterline[2]
Beam:	32.3 m (106 ft) extreme, 32.3 m (106 ft) waterline[2]
Draft:	9.1 m (30 ft) maximum, 9.4 m (31 ft) limit[2]
Propulsion:	Integrated propulsion and ship service electrical system, with generation at 6.6 kV by FM/MAN B&W diesel generators; one fixed pitch propeller; bow thruster[2]
Speed:	20 knots (37 km/h)
Range:	14,000 nautical miles at 20 kt (26,000 km at 37 km/h)
Capacity:	• Max dry cargo weight:   5,910 long tons (6,005 t) • Max dry cargo volume:   783,000 cubic feet (22,000 m³) • Max cargo fuel weight:   2,350 long tons (2,390 t) • Cargo fuel volume:   18,000 barrels (2,900 m³)   (DFM: 10,500) (JP5:7,500)
Complement:	49 military, 123 civilian[2]
Electronic warfare and decoys:	Nulka decoy launchers
Armament:	2–6 × 12.7 mm machine guns or 7.62 mm medium machine guns
Aircraft carried:	two helicopters, either Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk or Aerospatiale Super Puma

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August 27, 2010

Kings Point has new Superintendent

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced that Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene, Jr. will become the new Superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.

Admiral Greene holds a Merchant Marine Master's license and is a 1978 Academy graduate.

"Rear Admiral Greene will bring strong leadership to the Academy," said Secretary LaHood. "His commitment to the midshipmen, his experience as an Academy graduate, and his distinguished naval career have given him the perspective and organizational strengths needed to move the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy forward."

Rear Admiral Greene comes to Kings Point from the U.S. Navy, where he was most recently Director of the Navy Irregular Warfare Office.

Before that, Rear Admiral Greene served as Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, where he helped establish the first multinational Maritime Center of Excellence in East Africa.

"Rear Admiral Greene's background and enthusiasm make him not only an excellent choice for Superintendent, but also an important member of the leadership team at the U.S. Maritime Administration," said Maritime Administrator David Matsuda.

Rear Admiral Greene's Navy service also includes a post as Director of the Navy Europe/Africa Policy, Resources and Strategy in Naples, Italy where he formulated the Navy's maritime security and safety strategy for the Gulf of Guinea.

Previously, as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Chairman of the Seamanship and Navigation Department at the United States Naval Academy, he shaped the mandatory professional mariner curriculum and instruction for 4,000 midshipmen.

As Chief of Staff for the U.S. Naval Surface Forces, Admiral Greene managed the training, maintenance, and personnel readiness for more than 200 surface ships. Additionally, he was commanding officer of two surface combatants, Commander of Destroyer Squadron 31, and served on The Joint Staff as Chief of the Northeast Asia/China Division at the Pentagon.

In addition to his degree from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Admiral Greene holds advanced degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and the National Defense University.

Also see: http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=354 (needs to be updated)

www.usmma.edu - Cached

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ThanksUSA is a non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to thank the men and women of the United States armed forces by providing college and technical training scholarships. The organization has provided approximately 2,000 scholarships totalling $6 million...

 

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From: events@...
Subject: Fleet Week 2010 -- Be our Guest for a ThanksUSA Dinner Providing Scholarships for Military Families

Dear Navy Leaguer,
 
We hope you can join us for a patriotic dinner on Friday, October 8, 2010, at the historic Marines’ Memorial Club in San Francisco. It starts at 6 pm and the purpose is to learn more about ThanksUSA, a national non-profit providing scholarships to military families.
 
Attached is an invitation to the dinner as well as more information about ThanksUSA.
 
This October 8th Marines Memorial Club dinner is the kick-off to next year’s ThanksUSA San Francisco Golf Classic, which will take place at the famed Presidio Golf Course during San Francisco Fleet Week 2011.
 
Join us Friday, October 8th, at the Marines Memorial Club. Space is limited, therefore, please RSVP early to Ray Polin at 650-230-4106, Alison Edwards at 817-771-0041, or simply reply to this email.
 
Sincerely,                         
                                                        
Ramon J. Polin                                                                    B. Robert Okun
Host, 2011 ThanksUSA Fleet Week Event                        Chairman and CEO, ThanksUSA

If you cannot attend but would like to support ThanksUSA with a donation, please go to www.ThanksUSA.org and click ‘Donate Now’.

 

Navy League of the United States

"Citizens in Support of the Sea Services"

 

Pacific Merchant Marine Council

You are cordially invited to our 4^th Anniversary Luncheon ~ our Holiday Luncheon:

Date: Monday, 20 December 2010

Time: Social 1130 ~ Lunch 1200

Place: National Liberty Ship Memorial S. S. JEREMIAH O'BRIEN, Pier 45, San Francisco

Program Speaker: Vice Admiral Manson Brown, Commander Coast Guard Pacific Area

Cost: $20 with advance reservation by check ~ $25 without

 

Details:
Please send reservation check payable to Phelps Hobart to PO Box 191403, Sacramento CA 95819-1403.
Guests welcome. Complementary lunch for guests who join the Navy League and affiliate with the council.
Menu features assorted beverages along with a catered buffet hot meal and a decorated cake.
Ship T'wen Deck Hold #2 decorated by the Arkansas Division Sea Cadets.
Side Boys, Color Guard, and Piper duties performed by Arkansas Division Sea Cadets for VADM Brown 
Popular fund-raising "Opportunity To Win" (50 - 50 drawing) to aid council support for the National Liberty Ship Memorial S. S. JEREMIAH O'BRIEN and the Arkansas Division Sea Cadets.

Donations in addition always welcome – they help us meet expenses and support the O’BRIEN and the Sea Cadets.  
Complementary parking in covered shed C adjacent to the ship.
Opportunity to share news, a sea story, a joke, or a remark.
Nominations, election, and installation of 2011 officers and directors.
Council board meeting follows the luncheon.
Temperature possibly cool; dress accordingly.
Docent lead ship tours before and after the luncheon.
Next luncheon scheduled for Monday, March 21, 2011.
Information: (916) 739-6949, PMMC@....
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Navy League of the United States, founded with President Roosevelt's encouragement in 1902, is a civilian organization with more than 50,000 members. The League reminds the American public and government officials that the United States is a maritime nation and that its national defense and economic well being are dependent upon strong sea services - the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U. S. flag Merchant Marine. NLUS and its 250 councils sponsor activities, events, and awards along with supporting military and Sea Cadet units. Its monthly magazine Sea Power covers United States maritime defense news. Individual, community affiliate, and corporate memberships are available. Websites: http://www.navyleague.org and for membership http://www.navyleague.org/membership.

 

The League’s Pacific Merchant Marine Council, chartered 11 December 2006, supports the United States maritime industry. Luncheon meetings are quarterly. Membership is steadily climbing and its activities continue to expand. It is a member of the Marine Exchange of the San Francisco Bay Region (SFMX), the California Marine & Intermodal Transportation System Advisory Council (CALMITSAC), the Maritime Cabotage Task Force (MCTF) and most recently a sponsor of the 2010 Maritime Industry Congressional Sail-In. Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PMMC-NLUS.

 

 

 

Phelps 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) - Freshman Jamil Cooks hurdled a blocker to smother a punt, setting up quarterback Tim Jefferson's second touchdown run, and Air Force beat Navy for the first time in eight years 14-6 on Saturday.

The Falcons (4-1) were clinging to a one-point lead when Cooks jumped over Jared Marks in the backfield and kept right on going to block Kyle Delahooke's punt. The ball rolled backward to the Navy 15-yard line.

After three rushes, Jefferson, who also had a 50-yard touchdown run, pushed his way into the end zone from a yard out with 12:38 remaining.

Navy drove to the Air Force 33-yard line before Jordan Waiwaiole intercepted Ricky Dobbs' third-down pass with 25 seconds to go to help Air Force snap its seven-year losing streak to Navy.

Jared Tew ran for 111 yards on 17 carries for Air Force, part of 292 yards on the ground by the nation's top rushing team.

Navy (2-2) pulled within 7-6 on Joe Buckley's second field goal, a 32-yarder with 10:58 remaining in the third quarter. The drive began after Jefferson's errant pitch bounced off Asher Clark's shoulder pads and was recovered by Aaron McCauley.

Air Force led 7-3 at halftime behind Jefferson's first touchdown run. The Falcons covered 80 yards in three plays, all on the ground, capped by Jefferson's career-long 50-yard gain. He broke past the line of scrimmage on the option, powered through a couple of tackles and raced into the clear, outrunning Navy defenders en route to the end zone.

Buckley, who missed a chip shot try earlier, got Navy on the board with a 25-yard field goal midway through the second quarter after quarterback Ricky Dobbs' third-down run was stopped short.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Best regards,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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