STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 

Whereas, New Yorkers recognize that the youth of this State and Nation are its future leaders and, more than anything, today’s teenagers need a solid foundation of support and guidance which will help them grow into responsible and productive citizens, giving rise to a stronger America; and

Whereas, for the majority of today’s teens, having a job is a valuable experience that becomes part of a lifelong history and contributes to their overall learning and development; and

Whereas, any new job environment can have its hazards, and teens can be especially vulnerable to the seen and unseen risks associated with such unfamiliar surroundings whereby, every year, approximately 120,000 teenagers in the United States are injured on the job and about 35 teens are killed every year at work; and

Whereas, this summer, many teens will be heading into summer jobs and may not be aware of the need for work permits, of potential hazards on their jobs, or the labor laws designed to protect youth in the workplace; and

Whereas, the New York State Young Workers Safety and Health Project, representing government agencies, community-based organizations, unions, teachers’ and parent groups, and others, is encouraging teens, schools, parents and employers to learn more about the importance of teen safety at work; and

Whereas, New York State and State agencies are working together to inform employers about the laws and regulations governing young workers and to provide information to teen workers about their rights to safe and healthful places of employment, workplace hazards, and the legal restrictions limiting the types and hours of employment; and

Whereas, New York State recognizes that young workers are collectively one of our most valuable resources and that we must promote not just job opportunities, but safe and healthy jobs for youth, as we join to observe Teen Worker Safety Month, supporting its goals and encouraging statewide communities to work together to reduce teen workplace injuries;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as

TEEN WORKER SAFETY MONTH

in the Empire State.

G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this twenty-sixth day of May in the year two thousand nine.

David A. Paterson
Governor

Lawrence Schwartz
Secretary to the Governor