PEP, June 2004: Dedicated to women.

Legislators, community activists and labor leaders from throughout New York convened in Albany to celebrate their accomplishments and map new strategies.

In the same April weekend when 1 million women marched on Washington demanding their reproductive rights, the 17th annual Somos el Futuro Conference in Albany dedicated its political summit meeting to Hispanic women.

One of those women, Peggy Camacho, director of the Community Assistance Unit of the New York City Central Labor Council, received the conference’s Community Service Award April 24 at the weekend’s Labor Breakfast.

Juan Fernández, president of Amalgamated Professional Employees Local 154 and Togba Porte, vice president of Municipal Hospital Employees Local 420, were among the contingent of District Council 37 leaders and activists who honored her at the breakfast.

“She fights to defend the rights of working people,” said Sonia Ivany, the newly-elected president of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, who presented the prestigious award to the veteran labor leader.

“I’m both proud and very humbled to receive this award,” said Ms. Camacho. The Hispanic Labor Committee and the CLC sponsored the annual breakfast, which also honored Luis G. Restrepo, vice-president of Electrical Workers Local 3, with the Labor Service Award. State Assembly member Phil Ramos, who represents the 6th District in Suffolk County, was honored for his work on behalf of several immigrant day laborers that were victims of a vicious assault.

Bush has to go
Like many speakers at the conference, breakfast keynote speaker Fernando Ferrer, the former Bronx borough president, suggested that President George Bush find another line of work. “I cannot think of another American more deserving of a pink slip,” said Mr. Ferrer of Bush, criticizing his policies. “He’s crushing the middle class and he’s doing it right in our faces.”

The conference, which was established in 1987, brought together civic, labor and political leaders from the Latino community throughout the state for three days of workshops and lobbying. Delegations of DC 37 leaders and staff have participated actively every year in Somos el Futuro, which means We Are the Future.

The conference included a lively panel discussion on Vieques, the populated island off the coast of Puerto Rico that until last year Navy planes and ships used for target practice. Elected officials called for economic support for the island. “We need federal compensation for the residents of Vieques and to repair the damage that we created,” suggested Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion.

Acting on a recommendation of the District Council 37 Latino Heritage Committee, DC 37 was one of the first unions to demand that the Navy stop using Vieques for target practice.

“American citizens have been subjected to high rates of cancer and hypertension, cirrhoses, diabetes, and many other health problems,” said Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), who wrote the original piece of legislation to return the island to the people of Puerto Rico. “I urge the Navy to work harder and expedite the proper cleanup so once and for all the people of Vieques can live healthy lives without the daily worry of sickness and danger.”

The closing gala dinner featured speeches from several elected officials, among them U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer who said he was working hard to get the Dream Act passed. “We want the Dream Act to pass so that everyone has a chance to become an American citizen,” said the senator from New York. The Dream Act would allow undocumented high school graduates and college students to apply for conditional permanent residence if they meet certain criteria. In his remarks, State Sen. David Paterson urged support for a bill to increase the minimum wage and provide daycare for working women.

At the gala closing dinner, Andrew Cuomo spoke on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry. He aimed his criticism at George Bush’s flawed foreign policy. “The president’s policy that says to shoot first and ask questions later has backfired,” said Cuomo.