News

House of Representatives & 19 States Proclaim March 26-April 1 National Cleaning Week

The U.S. House of Representatives, 19 states, and multiple municipalities all across the country proclaimed March 26-April 1, 2023 National Cleaning Week. National Cleaning Week celebrates the value of clean and the important, positive impact that cleaning has on public health, the environment, and our economy. This designated week represents a unique opportunity to raise public awareness about the value of clean and show appreciation for cleaning professionals.

“National Cleaning Week is an important opportunity to highlight the hidden heroes who work behind the scenes to make sure our schools, hospitals, hotels, and workplaces and healthy and clean. It is great to have a record number of governors across the political spectrum all recognize the essential nature of the cleaning industry by officially proclaiming National Cleaning Week in their state,” said ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft.

A total of 19 states including—Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Vermont—all officially designated a week dedicated to the industry.

Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL-18), introduced a resolution (H.R. 254) to the U.S. House of Representatives stating, “That the House of Representatives—recognizes the commitment and essential services provided by the cleaning industry in maintaining clean and sanitary conditions; and supports the designation of ‘National Cleaning Week’ to continue to promote safe and clean environments at work, in schools, and at home.”

The proclamation by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin stated that, “by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized: National Cleaning Week.”

In the Texas proclamation, Governor Greg Abbott recognized that “Manufacturers and distributors produce and deliver crucial cleaning and hygiene products” and “Essential frontline cleaning professionals work tirelessly to keep our schools, hospitals, workplaces, and other spaces healthy and safe for us all.”

According to the Illinois proclamation, Governor J.B. Pritzker said “The citizens of Illinois proudly support and join in this national celebration of the cleaning industry and bring attention to the importance of ensuring clean and sanitary conditions at work, in schools, and at home.”

“ISSA thanks Representative Darin LaHood; Governors Greg Abbott, Mike DeWine, Kay Ivey, Laura Kelly, Brian Kemp, Brad Little, Henry McMaster, Kristi Noem, J.B. Pritzker, Tate Reeves, Phil Scott, Josh Shapiro, Kevin Stitt, Chris Sununu, Maura Healy, Tim Walz, Mike Parson, Kathy Hochul, and Glenn Youngkin; as well as New York Assemblyman Joe DeStefano  for recognizing the value of clean with these Cleaning Week proclamations,” said Nothdurft. “It is important to recognize our frontline cleaning professionals, who’ve worked continuously to highlight the importance efforts to make sure buildings are healthy and safe for work, school, commerce, and play.”

ISSA also thanks these individuals who assisted the association in successfully securing NATIONAL Cleaning Week proclamations: Amy Richardson (Alabama), Connor Waldron (Georgia), Grant Aslett (Idaho), Stacy Seiden (Illinois), Mike Anaya (Kansas, Missouri), Mauricio Fonseca (Massachusetts), Autumn Boos (Minnesota), Belinda Dawkins (Mississippi), Bailey McNeil (New Hampshire), Jean Marie Pfeifer (New York), Jeff Cross (Ohio), Stephanie Ramsey (Oklahoma; Bartlesville, Oklahoma), Jody Carroll (Pennsylvania), Marlo McKelvey Kanipe (South Carolina), Cheri Fast (South Dakota), Heidi Avedician (Texas), Jarelle Flibotte (Vermont), David Beaudreau (Virginia), Ashmyr Lugo (Puerto Rico), Graeme Golucki (Chicago), Gavin Macgregor-Skinner (District of Columbia; Montgomery County, Maryland), and Kyler Franklin (Amarillo, Texas; Odessa, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; McKinney, Texas). “Our advocates’ efforts helping ISSA successfully secure state, city, territory, and county proclamations were critical to the success of this campaign and ISSA’s National Cleaning Week celebration,” Nothdurft continued.

For more information about National Cleaning Week, please contact ISSA Government Affairs Manager Stacy Seiden. 

PLUS: Hear more from Congressman Darin LaHood in his recent interview with ISSA’s new podcast series, Cleaning Is Essential. Listen to the whole episode below.