Virginia Workers' Memorial Day

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, Virginia’s workers are essential to a strong and growing economy; and

WHEREAS, twenty-one Virginians lost their lives to work-related fatalities in the Commonwealth last year; and

WHEREAS, a workplace injury or fatality can result in immeasurable human loss; and

WHEREAS, such loss can result in major hardship to families and communities; and

WHEREAS, every worker has a right to a safe and healthy workplace; and

WHEREAS, every Virginia worker should return home safely; and

WHEREAS, workplace health and safety procedures are important for the well-being of both employees and employers; and

WHEREAS, workers are the backbone of any successful endeavor, and without safe and healthy employees, businesses cannot prosper, and more jobs cannot be created in our communities; and

WHEREAS, Workers’ Memorial Day is recognized annually on April 28, the date that the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect in 1971; and

WHEREAS, citizens are encouraged to remember the dedicated men and women who lost their lives or have been injured at work, and recognize that the Commonwealth’s greatest resource is its educated, skilled, and dedicated workforce;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize April 28, 2024, as VIRGINIA WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations