Background Information
During the Spring of 2002, while cleanup and recovery operations were under way at the World Trade Center in New York City, the West Alabama Labor Council believed it would be impressive if we could acquire a section from one of the World Trade Center, Twin Towers for a workers memorial. We could construct the Memorial in the West Alabama area to honor all workers killed or injured in the work place. We contacted our Representative in Washington, D.C., the Alabama Red Cross Labor Liaison and the engineers at Ground Zero with our idea. Even before we knew what we wanted, we were able to acquire a seven-foot section of I-beam from World Trade Center, Tower One. This I-beam weighed approximately 1000 lbs. We worked with labor organizations in Atlanta, Georgia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to deliver the I-beam. We had agreed to share the treasured artifact with the labor council in Atlanta, Georgia in exchange for their help. It was cut in half and our section continued its journey to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. On June 20, 2002, we held a press conference displaying the I-beam and explaining its purpose. At that time we were unable to secure a permanent location for the Memorial and the I-beam was put into storage.
In September, 2006, with renewed interest in the River Walk project in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, we established the Workers Memorial Committee to revitalize the project. The Committee has members from the City of Tuscaloosa, City of Northport, Tuscaloosa County, University of Alabama and the West Alabama Labor Council as well as area businesses and private individuals. Collectively, the Committee designed Workers Memorial Commons and secured a permanent location for the Memorial on River Walk in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Workers Memorial Commons, when completed, will include the section of I-beam from World Trade Center, Tower One and will serve as a tribute to all workers that have been injured or killed in the work place.
