Public Employee Press

DC 37 celebrates Irish Heritage and labor unity

By MIKE LEE

We talk to each other about our differences, but in fact we should speak of what we have in common - what unites us.
— Henry Garrido DC 37 Executive Director

Amid the Celtic roots-rock strains of Brooklyn's The Canny Brothers Band, the emotional piping of the FDNY EMS Pipes and Drums Corps, and the staccato of the high-stepping dancers from the O'Malley Irish Dance Academy, the DC 37 Irish Heritage Committee held its 23rd annual celebration on March 6 at union headquarters.

Irish Committee Chair John Huber, president of Parks Dept. Climbers and Pruners Local 1506, welcomed the guests as the committee honored the Irish American contributions to labor and commemorated the long, storied heritage of the Irish people.

Huber thanked Irish Heritage Committee Vice Chair Bernadette O'Leary Enzmann, and gave a special thank you to the DC 37 Blue Collar Division for helping make the evening a rousing success.

After a benediction by FDNY Chaplain and Local 299 member Chris Keenan, there was a moment of silence for the late Cardinal Edward Egan, former Archbishop of New York City, and deceased member of the Irish Heritage Committee Maureen Mulhearn.

Retired Local 299 member Sister Mary O'Connor gave a traditional Irish blessing, the committee presented former DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts with an award for her six decades of service to the labor movement. Executive Director Henry Garrido accepted on her behalf, telling the crowd, "Lillian Roberts dedicated her entire life to the labor movement and to the members. All of the benefits that we have would not have happened without her years of hard work and sacrifice."

Underscoring the challenges facing the labor movement, Garrido continued, "We talk to each other about our differences, but in fact we should speak of what we have in common - what unites us." He added, "We must understand that what unites us is what is best for us and for our families - and we must fight for our rights, and fight for our families."

Following the performance by the O'Malley Academy dancers, many attending the event entertained the audience by joining the dancers in a lively traditional Irish line dance.

Colleen Detroy, who recently retired as executive assistant to Lillian Roberts, was also recognized by the committee for her years of service to the union. After joking about taking Irish dancing lessons after retirement, she thanked the committee for their recognition. "Thank you all for this honor - humble as I am," she said.