PEP, February 2008: Why DC 37 backs Hillary

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

DC 37’s Green Machine of union volunteers will send a loud message urging members, retirees and all working families to support Sen. Hillary Clinton in the New York State presidential primary on “Super Tuesday,” Feb. 5.

“Senator Clinton has long stood with labor and the working families of New York. Now it’s time for us to show our support for her on Primary Day, Feb. 5,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. “Of the many excellent Democratic candidates, she is the most qualified to lead us as president of the United States.”

Through its corps of volunteers, led by the DC 37 Political Action Dept., the union will press a campaign even beyond the five boroughs to take back the White House in 2008 with Clinton, an electable candidate of strength, vision and experience.

DC 37 is also urging primary voters Feb. 5 to elect five union leaders to New York State’s 280-member delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colo., Aug. 25 through 28. The candidates are Lillian Roberts, Maf Misbah Uddin, Belinda Dixon and Wanda Williams; Lenny Allen is running as an alternate.

New York moved its primary race up to the February date to give its voters a greater voice in determining the nominees for U.S. president. Now New York voters can be counted along with 22 other states scheduled to caucus or hold primary elections.

DC 37 and its parent union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, have endorsed Clinton as the Democratic candidate for U.S. president in the primaries based on her experience and her record of advocating pro-union positions on many issues that benefit DC 37 members and retirees, said Political Director Wanda Williams.

Clinton has pressed for funding for medical screening and monitoring for the heroes of the World Trade Center recovery and cleanup. She demonstrated her expertise in national health care issues and has pressed to fund the vital services DC 37 members provide at the Health and Hospitals Corp., the Dept. of Health and other agencies. These programs include S-CHIP, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, which is part of the welfare reform program that provides assistance and work opportunities to needy families.

In Washington, Clinton has helped stop President Bush’s scheme to privatize Social Security, fought to increase state funds for transportation and earned a record as a top advocate for unions, working families, women and children.

“This is a fight for a better America, an America that lives up to its ideals,” said AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee, “an America where the basic promise of our country will ring true again — that if you work hard and play by the rules you can get ahead and give your children the opportunity to live a better life.”

“This is a fight to end the war in Iraq, give every man, woman and child the medical care they need, and revive America’s middle class. Hillary Clinton has what it takes to win the nomination and to take back the White House in November,” McEntee said.