RACINE - For many people, Labor Day is the last chance for a long holiday weekend before the winter doldrums set in. But it is more than that to the members of local unions and other supporters of organized labor who gathered in Pritchard Park to celebrate Racine LaborFest 2007 Monday afternoon.

Labor Day, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It is a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of the country.

The first Labor Day was observed more than 100 years ago, and its spirit lived on in the speeches and awards here Monday.

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., stopped by to say a few words before heading back to Washington. Feingold also attended Labor Fest in Milwaukee, which he said gave him the opportunity to shake hands with members of almost every union in the state.

Feingold spoke of the priorities facing Congress. "The priorities I was talking about include, which we've already done, is passing the minimum wage. Which is something we needed to do. Passing the Employee Free Choice Act (which makes it easier for workers to form unions) will strengthen the rights of working people. Trying to stop these unfair trade agreements that have shipped a lot of jobs in Racine County and Wisconsin away, and the top of the list is health care for all Americans."

Health care and the minimum wage also figured in state state Sen. John Lehmann's remarks. Lehmann, D-Racine, supports a comprehensive health care plan and a minimum wage that is indexed for inflation.

Monday also was a day of announcements at the annual event. Paulette Garin of Kenosha announced her candidacy for Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District, the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan.

Betsy Kippers was named Racine County 2007 Labor Person of the Year, and Jeff and Lisa Van Koningsveld were named Mr. & Mrs. Solidarity of the Year.

Kevin Mieczkowski, LaborFest chairperson, said the awards honor people for the investments they make to the community. "They're about what unions are about," Mieczkowski said. "Caring hearts. Fighting for the underdog, the poor and the unfortunate."

The Van Koningsvelds said their award is given to the couple who exemplify union values. Jeff is president of IBEW local 430 and a member AFL-CIO executive board, and Lisa is child care director at Lots of Tots in Wind Lake.

"We both work on a lot of campaigns," Jeff said. "We're the kind of people who are there when things need to be done for labor and the Democratic Party." Lisa said she is an advocate for quality, reliable child care for working people.

For Kippers, a former Racine Education Association president, the award was a surprise. "When Ron Thomas called me, I was shocked," Kippers said. "I'm just doing what I think needs to be done."

Currently, Kippers is secretary/treasurer of the Wisconsin Education Council's board of directors.