Following is a transcript from Monday July 7, 2008 of the speech I gave as a local union leader.
Tom Perriello is the Democratic challenger for the 5th Congressional District, currently held by Republican Virgil Goode.
Perriello announced a 22 county Jobs Tour and a 7-point economic revival plan. Goode, who has yet to come to Martinsvill-Henry County to actually talk to area residents has called the plan "all fluff and no substance".
From a man that has proven himself to be George Bush's lap dog, Goode's comments carry no weight in the Southside.
I stand before you today because like you, I am concerned about the world working families across the 5th CD and Martinsville – Henry County face in today’s global economy.
We have all seen what has become of the quantity and quality of jobs to be had in our area.
We all remember the days that industry leaders such as Hooker, Stanley and Bassett furniture offered good jobs along with good pay. We all remember when DuPont and Tultex proudly called our area home and drove a thriving economy.
We have all watched as those jobs disappeared overseas, and as our current representation in Congress closed their eyes, and made a lot of empty promises about the future. We see it continue still as American of Martinsville announced just this past week that even with all their efforts, they too are sending another 400 jobs overseas so as to stay competitive in the global market.
We saw it again last week when the National jobs report was released and found out another 62,000 Americans became unemployed during the month of June.
Each and every day, we see more of the best and brightest of our young people leave, because they no longer see a future in the job market here.
We have watched as basic benefits for working American families have disappeared, some families can no longer afford health insurance. Some families are working more than one low paying job, just to try and make ends meet.
We have watched as our Congressional leaders have empowered the National Labor Relations Board, supposedly committed to standing up for America’s working people; make it nearly impossible for working men and women to be treated justly in the workplace.
I am concerned, but I am not without hope. I am hopeful because we have the ability to bring about the changes we need ourselves. For far too long, those people that should have been working on our behalf ignored us. We, as voters, and as working Virginians have an opportunity now to make our voices heard.
I say to you now; let us bring to Washington the kind of real leadership that will work for the 5th Congressional district, for Martinsville-Henry County and for all Americans and not Special interest groups that most certainly do not have our interests at heart.