AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued the following statement on the passing of friend and former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:
“Much can be said of Harry Reid’s life story. His rise from abject poverty to Majority Leader of the United States Senate; fighting the mafia and corruption in Las Vegas during the years between — it’s the stuff of which American legends are made. But Sen. Reid’s legacy is not just about his rise, but whom he brought with him. Without Sen. Reid’s willingness to stand up to big banks, hundreds of thousands of families would have lost their homes to foreclosure when the Great Recession hit. Without Sen. Reid’s leadership, we wouldn’t have the Affordable Care Act and millions would still be without health care today.
“Sen. Reid fought so hard because he never forgot where he came from. He understood that government can be a force for good in people’s lives. And he had tremendous respect for public service and the public service workers who keep our communities safe, healthy and strong. Neither AFSCME, nor I, will ever forget our friend. Rest in power, Harry.”