WHEREAS:

For her entire life Linda Chavez-Thompson has been breaking new paths, setting her objectives and pushing on toward them without waiting for others to clear the way for her; and

WHEREAS:

In her early career Linda Chavez-Thompson challenged head-on the customs and practices that sought to restrict women to limited roles in the trade union movement, especially minority women; and

WHEREAS:

Linda Chavez-Thompson quickly established the fact that she had no interest in token jobs or desks by the door, and instead took on real trade union assignments requiring tough leadership and the ability to understand and learn the experiences of rank and file members; and

WHEREAS:

Throughout her career Linda Chavez-Thompson has not only accepted the challenges of increasing responsibility but has sought out opportunities that will demonstrate her skill and abilities and above all her competence in her chosen profession; and

WHEREAS:

Linda Chavez-Thompson's career in AFSCME has been a steady path of ever-increasing responsibilities from the fundamental assignments of steward and local leader through the complexities of membership on the Judicial Panel and finally to elected leadership in the International Executive Board as International Vice President; and

WHEREAS:

In the short period of only eight years Linda Chavez-Thompson has become a national asset to the American labor movement, as was demonstrated when she was elected to the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO, the first Hispanic women ever to serve in the leadership of that body; and

WHEREAS:

The election of Linda Chavez-Thompson as Executive Vice President of the AFL-CIO has not only brought her talents and experiences to the top level of leadership in the American labor movement, but has given clear evidence that the New Voice of the movement is just that — a turning away from the past and an energetic and enthusiastic commitment to the future.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

This 32nd Constitutional Convention of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees salutes Linda Chavez-Thompson on her achievements as Executive Vice President of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:

In submitting this resolution to the Convention the International Executive Board, on which Linda Chavez-Thompson served for eight years, notes with pride her record of leadership in AFSCME and her record of service at every level of our union; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT:

This resolution of appreciation shall be suitably inscribed and appropriately presented to Linda Chavez-Thompson as a symbol of the deep respect and affection in which she is held by the members of AFSCME across the nation.

SUBMITTED BY:

Gerald W. McEntee, International President
William Lucy, International Secretary-Treasurer