Assemblyman Andy Goodell (R,C–Chautauqua) recently attended a Jamestown Jammers game where he participated in a celebration marking June as Young Workers’ Safety Month. The Youth Construction Initiative Program joined the assemblyman in sponsoring the event. Throwing out the first pitch was Cherise Gunnell, a recent graduate of Falconer High School, who was named Pitcher of the Year for Western New York as a result of her unprecedented success with the Lady Falcons’ Girls Varsity Softball team. Cherise threw a perfect game during a 2011 playoffs run which took the Lady Falcons to the New York State finals.

During an on-field, pre-game ceremony, Assemblyman Goodell read from a resolution which he co-sponsored recognizing June as Young Workers’ Safety Month in New York. With thousands of young New Yorkers beginning summer jobs, now is the time to raise awareness of the increased risks these employees face. Nearly 150,000 young workers are afflicted by job-related injuries every year, with 37 young people dying from on-the-job injuries between 2007 and 2009. Assemblyman Goodell urged the parents, guardians and family members of Chautauqua County’s young workers to discuss the importance of staying safe and alert as they enter the work force.