On March 12, 2015, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy was inducted into the Labor Department’s Hall of Honor. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, joined by the senator’s sons, Ted Jr. and Patrick, and several former labor secretaries honored Sen. Kennedy in front of an audience of more than 400.

General President Walter Wise remarked on this honor, “From workplace safety to fair wage initiatives, the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s triumphs are still felt by this generation of ironworkers and will be felt by generations yet to come.  His death has left a void in the United States Senate.  Who will continue his legacy?  Who will be labor’s champion?  It’s up to us, as working people, to vote and make our voices heard.  If we don’t, our champions will never arrive.”