By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

More than 2,000 people from across New York State were on “A Path to Politics, A Commitment to Social Justice,” in Albany Feb. 14-16. The 32nd annual weekend caucus of the Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc. gave voters a chance to mix with the state’s 39 State Senate and Assembly members of color as well as political leaders and city legislators from across the state.

The legislators’ dedication to social justice reemphasized their commitment to issues affecting their constituents, while Republicans focus on a war with Iraq, dismantling affirmative action and slashing Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

As busloads of DC 37 activists converged on the capitol, DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts said, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and DC 37 is in Albany to make our voice heard, show our numbers, test our friendships and strengthen our alliances.”

The union took the lead in conference workshops and discussions. Local presidents Gloria Acevedo and Carmen Charles were panelists on a statewide healthcare workshop, and L. 1549’s Alvin Williams was a panelist on a welfare reform workshop. Legislators honored Ms. Roberts with the Pauline Rhodd Cummings Award at a ceremony Sunday.
The union’s presence was also felt as labor leaders and legislators coalesced on how to assuage the bloodletting Gov. George E. Pataki’s proposed budget would have on the state.

“Unionists must form coalitions to reverse this budget, which, by its decimating cuts to public education and healthcare, and lack of a jobs program, completely ignores the needs of working families,” said DC 37 Political Director Wanda Williams, one of six panelists on an executive budget workshop.

“The legislative body is our first defense on budget issues,” said DC 37 Political Action Committee Chair Leonard Allen, who pressed politicians to commit to union issues. Additionally, DC 37 members from Clerical Administrative Local 1549 and NYC Municipal Hospital Employees Local 420 spoke out for increased funding for 911 and hospitals as the first defense in emergencies.

At the awards ceremony and dinner, union ally Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver lit into the governor, who failed to attend this year’s conference. Mr. Silver said Gov. Pataki seemed to have made his first and last appearance in 2001 when he was running for his third term. “What a difference a year makes,” Silver said.

The new Senate Minority Leader David Paterson said George Dubya Bush has long benefited from set asides, first with his admission to Yale, and more recently “when the election was set aside” by the Supreme Court for his presidency. Paterson called Mr. Bush’s opposition to affirmative action “the new racism.”

U.S. Senator Chales E. Schumer, Attorney General Elliot Spitzer and other Democrats pledged a continued fight for affirmative action because “it is right.” Guest speaker and political satirist Dick Gregory questioned the moral and economic costs of a war with Iraq. As the state legislators battle the challenges from the Right on these issues and more, the Association of Black, Puerto Rican and Hispanic Legislators said, “We will not be a silent minority.”