September 5, 1982
It gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to the working men and women of America on Labor
Day. This occasion brings deserved attention to those who have toiled to build our nation and to
shape a prosperous life out of the dreams of early immigrants. Today we recognize the honor and
value of all work and the great distinction that flows from a job well done.
From those who first carved a nation out of the wilderness to those who helped cross, settle, and
build this country, the working people have made immeasurable contributions to the advancement
of our way of life. Through their spirit, minds, and muscles, America's workers have created a
modern industrial giant. They have sustained the traditional values of family, work, and
neighborhood while serving as the bulwark of American democracy and lending support to the
fundamental tenets of our free enterprise system.
As champions of collective bargaining, our workers have furthered a process that has played a
major role in America's economic miracle. The legal and proper use of collective bargaining is of
primary importance to the continuing development of our nation and the quest for human
dignity.
We face many challenges to the future we all seek for this land -- challenges this Administration
has addressed through our efforts to revitalize the economy. Following the dictum of Thomas
Jefferson not to ``take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned,'' we have reduced taxes
and improved incentives for expansion that will rekindle economic growth. By working together
we can successfully deal with the problems facing us and usher this nation into a new era of
achievement and progress that will be a beacon to all the world.
Ronald Reagan