Representative Riley Recognized for Leadership in Support of New York Jobs

Labor and community organizations recognized U.S. Representative Josh Riley (D-19) for his leadership in support of policies that promote family-wage jobs in New York State.  During an award presentation at the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 112 Training Center hosted by the Broome Tioga Central Labor Council, Rep. Riley was lauded for his efforts to defend the state’s working families during hard economic times.

“From the moment he took office, Rep. Riley has worked for policy changes that will keep jobs in New York State, give hard-working Americans a greater voice on the job, and raise the standard of living for New York’s families.  This is exactly what we need to improve our economy and help out hard-working Americans who are struggling to make ends meet and worried about losing their job,” said Phil Shannahan, President of the Broome Tioga Central Labor Council. “We applaud Rep. Riley’s continued commitment to New York’s working families.”

During the event, Jesse Lenney, director of the New York Trade Justice Coalition, presented Rep. Riley with the organization’s “Trade Justice Champion” award, thanking him for making fair trade policy and New York State jobs a centerpiece of his first term in Congress.  The Congress member has been outspoken about the need to reform trade agreements in order to protect New York jobs and improve the state’s economy, and earlier this year, led the majority of the Democratic freshmen class on a letter calling for needed trade policy reforms.

“You can’t fix the nation’s economy without fixing its failed trade policy,” said Lenney. “Few people have advocated for trade reform as strongly as Rep. Riley — and he is just getting started.  With his leadership, we have the potential to bring job security back to New York and turn the economy around for working people everywhere.”

Rep. Riley addressed those attending saying, “Made in America isn’t just a slogan in Upstate New York — it’s who we are. Four generations of my family worked in local factories, and I know what it means when a job pays enough to put food on the table, clothes on your kids’ backs, and a little something under the Christmas tree. Too many families have seen that promise ripped away by bad trade deals and corporate greed. I came to Congress to change that. We’re going to keep fighting for fair trade, for good jobs at good wages, and for the dignity of working people. Because the future ought to be built right here at home, by the hands of New Yorkers.”