Public Employee Press

20th anniversary at DC 37
Puerto Rican Heritage Week

By ALFREDO ALVARADO

Choosing the theme, “The Struggle Continues,” the District Council 37 Latino Heritage Committee reached a milestone Nov. 21 as they commemorated the 20th anniversary of the union’s celebrations of Puerto Rican Heritage Week.

Marina Montalvo opened the historic occasion with her moving rendition of the Puerto Rican national anthem, and her granddaughter Priscilla Pagán sang the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Santos Crespo, executive vice president of Local 372, delivered the opening remarks and paid tribute to the members who helped start the annual tradition at DC 37.

“Luis Ithier of Local 372, José Sierra, Wiandy Santiago, Carmen Cordero, Víctor Guadalupe, Eddie Rodríguez, David Catala, Myrna Cabranes and many others made contributions to make this event possible,” said Mr. Crespo. He pointed out that “Local 372 was the very first local to acknowledge Puerto Ricans in the labor movement in New York.”

Roberts: important message
DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts was unable to attend but sent an important message that acknowledged the valuable contributions of Puerto Rican members to DC 37.

“We are very fortunate to be blessed by the presence of Puerto Rican leaders in DC 37 locals. Today our union family has more Puerto Ricans in positions of leadership that ever before,” she said in her message.

Ms. Roberts also acknowledged the valuable contributions that were made by Puerto Rican DC 37 members who made a great sacrifice and traveled to the island to help organize workers there in 1994. “When AFSCME moved to establish a presence in Puerto Rico, you came through by working to form AFSCME Council 94,” she said.

Mr. Crespo also singled out the members who worked on that highly successful organizing drive. “Shirley Aldebol, Mariano Miranda and José La Luz answered the call when it was made,” said Crespo, who worked on the organizing campaign in Puerto Rico as well.

Artists Elena Hernández and her daughter Eileen Hernández-Cole came all the way from their home in Boston to exhibit their colorful paintings featuring the narrow cobblestone streets of Old San Juan.

“It’s an honor for us to be able to participate in Puerto Rican Heritage Week at DC 37,” said Ms. Hernández. After the speeches and a festive dinner, the union’s 20th anniversary celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Week kicked into serious party mode — courtesy of the sounds of DJ San Fran and salsa veteran Paquito Gúzman and his Orchestra.