As Labor Day approaches, Senator Tom O’Mara is urging New Yorkers to reflect on the workers and industries that power the state’s economy — and to renew the push for a stronger future.
In his weekly column, O’Mara celebrates the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region’s deep roots in manufacturing, small business, agriculture, tourism, and tech. He says local workers continue to carry on a legacy of craftsmanship and innovation.
“This is a remarkable local history of working men and women, and a great source of pride for all of us,” he wrote.
O’Mara recently joined other leaders in Elmira to mark the 150th anniversary of I.D. Booth, a family-run supplier that’s operated since 1875. He also praised the Alstom railcar plant in Hornell, where the first American-made high-speed trains recently began service on the Northeast Corridor.
“These rail cars were made in Hornell,” he said, adding that many employees at the facility represent generations of skilled labor. “It’s one of our nation’s finest workforces.”
O’Mara says Labor Day remains a powerful moment to honor workers of all kinds — educators, farmers, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, and more — especially after the challenges of recent years.
He quoted Theodore Roosevelt, who said, “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
Looking ahead, O’Mara called on the state to recommit to economic growth and job creation.
“The pledge continues this Labor Day,” he wrote, “to keep working to ensure that [focus] finds its place again in this government in the months and years ahead.”
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