Every Day Heroes

Sometimes, "Leading the Fight" means doing your job under extraordinary conditions.

Pres. Gerald W. McEntee honored several affiliates whose members qualified as genuine heroes.

"There's one situation when everyone looks for and leans on public workers and I'm talking about the really bad times, those times when disaster strikes," McEntee said.

Many members went beyond the call of duty in combating heavy snowfall and flooding, among them: members of CSEA Local 848 in New York; Locals 21R, 1191, 1341 and 1262 in Washington state; Oregon Local 189; Local 1550 in Houston, Texas; Maryland Locals 1540, 533, 1633 and 1521; and Local 1039 in Kentucky.

In addition, members of Oklahoma City's Local 2406 were the first on the scene after the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building, helping the injured and making the scene as safe as possible.

In Rhode Island, Locals 2881, 1179 and 1612 turned out in force in the wake of a major oil spill to save wildlife and monitor the damage.

McEntee added that these are only a few of the heroes in AFSCME. "To tell the truth," he said, "every member of this union is a hero, an everyday hero, and I want all of you to stand right now for the recognition you all deserve!" Delegates gave a rousing cheer-for themselves and for their Brothers and Sisters across the country.