Unsolicited letter from Mary Wendy Roberts (Simpson), former elected
Commissioner of Labor for the State of Oregon
On
4/9/08 7:38 PM, "Wendy Simpson" wrote Mr. Jordan Green at
jordan@yesweekly.com:
I met
John C. Brooks first at a Labor Commissioners’ meeting (National
Association of Government Labor Officials). I had just been elected
to my first term as the Labor Commissioner of the state of Oregon.
I have to say that upon first meeting, I found him VERY impressive
in his knowledge of the law, his advocacy and his intelligence as
well as his meticulous tracking of what was being done at the
national level both in Congress and in Federal agencies and
departments that could affect the safety and wage protections for
the workers of his beloved North Carolina. My high opinion of him
was only enhanced over the years I served as my state's Labor
Commissioner.
John and I were at one point competitors for the Presidency of NAGLO
(He won that year and I succeeded him in that office) . . . and it
was my great honor to get to know him over the years thru that
organization as well as our working on issues of concern in child
labor, wage and hour, and other areas.
I particularly remember his advocacy for increased inspections for
safety violations and for stronger enforcement of safety standards.
It was John who lobbied and fought long and hard to get the manpower
for inspections to prevent tragedies and his pain and anger when his
worst fears were realized when the 1991 Hamlet fire occurred . . .
the kind of thing that he had long warned about happening while the
anti-labor administration in Washington callously disregarded his
urgent requests and expert analysis. He was a Democrat, elected,
and a powerful voice and under a different President, I have no
doubt that he would have prevailed. It was indeed ironic that then
he lost his re-election.
I confess that I am not familiar with the other candidates running
for Labor Commissioner in North Carolina. I have not talked with
John in years but when I saw in your paper (via the internet) that
he was running for Labor Commissioner again, I felt compelled to
write about him to you.
John is one of the bravest, most dedicated advocates for the rule
and protection of laws for workers I have ever met and at the same
time always had a reputation for fairness. With a near photographic
memory, attention to detail, he also carries the institutional
memory of the development of laws and regulations that gives him the
ability to understand the intricacies of government to the benefit
of the public whose service he has given so much of his life.
The people of North Carolina would be well advised to return him to
the job he loves and knows so well.
Mary
Wendy Roberts (Simpson)
Former
Elected Labor Commissioner of Oregon
Former
Democratic State Senator in Oregon
