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2 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> LABOR DAY <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> WHEREAS, on June 28, 1894, the United States Congress passed an act making the first <br /> Monday in September of each year the legal Labor Day holiday; and <br /> WHEREAS, the 2025 Labor Day holiday occurs on September 1St; and <br /> WHEREAS,the federal holiday pays tribute to the achievements of workers in the United <br /> States by recognizing their contributions to the country's strength, prosperity and well- <br /> being; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County has a labor force of 78,648 residents and an unemployment <br /> rate of 3.6%; and <br /> WHEREAS, while the Orange County median household income is $86,736, many <br /> residents are still employed in jobs that do not pay the current living wage of$17.65 per <br /> hour; and <br /> WHEREAS, North Carolina remains one of just 16 states that have not adjusted their <br /> $7.25 minimum wage, even for inflation, over the past fifteen years; and <br /> WHEREAS, many workers in Orange County earn less than living wages and are living <br /> in poverty and even experiencing homelessness despite full-time employment; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County's Strategic Plan recognizes a diverse and vibrant economy <br /> as one of its six Strategic Priorities; and <br /> WHEREAS, this strategic priority's goal is to foster an environment that attracts and <br /> retains sustainable and diverse businesses and visitors, employment opportunities, and <br /> diversifies our tax base; and <br /> WHEREAS, Labor Day is an opportunity for Orange County to recognize the <br /> contributions of all of our workers to the county's economy; and <br /> NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby <br /> proclaim September 1, 2025, Labor Day, as a day to honor the hard-working residents of <br /> Orange County who contribute so much energy, skill and innovation to our broader <br /> community and encourage all Orange County employers to ensure workers have a living <br /> wage, as well as safe and supportive work environments. <br /> This the 26th day of August, 2025. <br /> Jamezetta Bedford, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />