The Sept. 11 terrorist attack at the nearby World Trade Center shuttered DC 37 headquarters on Barclay Street for six months and prevented the union from holding its 2001 Latino Heritage Month programs.

But this year, with the building open again, the DC 37 Latino Heritage Committee and several locals celebrated in grand style from Sept. 16 through Oct. 24. "It is great to be back home," said Committee Chair and Real Estate Employees Local 1219 President Magda DeJesús at the inaugural ceremony.

During the opening event,union members who assisted at the World Trade Center on Sept.11 were honored with a video tribute.The committee kicked off the month of festivities by mounting an exhibit of paintings in the lobby by Sara Bravo, Richard Vallejo, Samuel Lind, Ibis Hernandez, Rosa Navarro, Angelo Romano and Local 1503 member José Ortega.

"As the most rapidly growing segment of the city's population, you are helping bring DC 37 new energy and vitality," said Executive Director Lillian Roberts in her keynote address at the opening ceremony. "You are a powerful voice in this union and this city."

"The face of DC 37 is changing," said Ms. DeJesús, as she was joined at the podium by Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez, Local 372 Vice President Santos Crespo, and Local 436 President Gloria Acevedo. "This is the new generation of Hispanic labor leaders," said Ms. DeJesús, who was DC 37's first Latina local president.

On Oct. 24, Motor Vehicle Operators Local 983 held its first Latino Heritage Month event. "We honor the invaluable contributions of Latinos like California labor leader Cesar Chavez, ASPIRA founder Dr. Antonia Pantoja, and the first Latino to run for mayor of New York City, Fernando Ferrer," said DC 37 Treasurer and Local 983 President Mark Rosenthal. "I cannot thank you enough for all of your support," said Fernando Ferrer, the one-time mayoral candidate and keynote speaker at the event.

Victims of Sept.11 honored

Local 983 also made a special presentation of the Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can!) Labor Leadership Awards to Ms. Acevedo, Ms. DeJesús, Mr. Crespo, Mr. Rodríguez and Local 154 President Juan Fernández.

Court, County and Dept. of Probation Employees Local 1070, Social Service Employees Union Local 371, Board of Education Employees Local 372 and Municipal Hospital Employees Local 420 all held cultural events to celebrate Latino Heritage Month. Freddy Ferrer was the keynote speaker at the Local 420 event and the new salsa singing sensation Kevin Ceballo performed at the Local 372 celebration.

The finale, which was jointly sponsored by the committee and Local 1549, was dedicated to Father Mychal Judge of Local 299, Carlos Lillo of Local 2507, Chet Louie of Local 2021, Ricardo Quinn of Local 3621 and all of the other victims of September 11.

"Our union and our city have been through very difficult times during the last several years, especially last year," said José A. Sierra, director of the Blue Collar Division and Vice Chair of the Latino Heritage Committee at the grand finale on October 18. "But with each challenge we face comes an opportunity for renewed faith, strength and opportunities to make this a better city to live and work in."