Public Employee Press

Latino Heritage Month at DC 37
Tribute to veterans

By ALFREDO ALVARADO

A well-deserved salute to the contributions of Hispanic soldiers who have fought and defended their country on the battlefields of Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, was the highlight of the DC 37 Latino Heritage Month celebrations that kicked off Sept. 8 and ran through Oct. 10 at union headquarters.

Vietnam veteran Pedro Seda, the keynote speaker at the Local 1549 celebration on Sept. 26, reminded a hall filled with members of the significant contributions made by Latino soldiers.

“We have without a doubt been a strategic part of the American armed forces,” he said. Seda pointed to the legendary 65th Infantry Regiment from Puerto Rico that has fought in every U.S. war since 1899.

“We salute and thank those who are fighting for our freedom,” said Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez.

Veterans were also honored during the finale on Oct. 10, which began with a presentation of colors by the Fort Schyler Color Guard. The finale was jointly sponsored by Local 372 and the DC 37 Latino Heritage Committee.

“We honor their sacrifice and their commitment to the defense of this country,” said Local 372 Executive Vice President Santos ­Crespo, who chairs the Latino Heritage Committee.

“It’s very important that we honor the contributions of our veterans,” said the evening’s keynoter, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion.

“All of the Latino cultures play an important role in this country,” said Veronica Montgomery-Costa, president of DC 37 and of Local 372. The local presented awards to Isabel Figueroa, vice president of Local 420, and Debbie Nuñez, a member of the Local 372 Executive Board.

“The Latino community is truly making an important contribution to our country, our city and our union,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.

With the presidential election looming, union leaders and invited guests at every event encouraged members to pull the lever on Election Day for Barack Obama.

Solid support for Obama
“We need to elect someone who understands the immigrant struggle, and that someone is Barack Obama,” said State Assembly member José Peralta, the keynote speaker at the SSEU Local 371 event of Sept. 12.

“The Obama campaign has bought everyone together as one,” he said. “You can feel the change in the country,” Local 983 President Mark Rosenthal said at the local’s 7th annual Latino Heritage event on Oct. 3.

Locals 420 and 1070 celebrated together on Sept. 19. Their keynote speaker was Sonia Ivany, president of the New York City Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

“We are the future of America because we are America,” said Ivany.

Local 420 President Carmen Charles announced that the local is collecting clothes and canned food on behalf of hurricane victims in Haiti. “In the spirit of unionism, let us think about our sisters and brothers who are less fortunate,” she said. Members can drop off contributions at Local 420 offices in Health and Hospitals Corp. facilities around the city.

Local 1070 President Cliff Koppelman encouraged members to contribute to a fund started to help finance the education of the children of the late Recording Secretary Elizabeth Luna (see details). To contribute, call the local at 212-815-1070.