WHEREAS, Gerald W. McEntee is the preeminent advocate for public workers in the United States and has dedicated his life to assuring that public workers have a voice on the job; and

WHEREAS, Gerald W. McEntee has served 20 successful years as the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, increasing our membership 50 percent; advocating tirelessly for all workers; leading our organizing, political and workplace efforts with tenacity, boldness and vision; and

WHEREAS, he served as the architect for the entire labor movement, leading the way to new leadership within the AFL-CIO, new energy within labor, and a new voice for working men and women; and

WHEREAS, he has made the American labor movement the premier voice for progressive politics in this country, through his chairmanship of the AFL-CIO's Political Education Committee, through his keen understanding of the connection between politics and power, by forging links between labor and groups that espouse human rights, civil rights, worker rights and more; and

WHEREAS, he is the labor movement's leading advocate for diversity and inclusion, evidenced by his efforts to win equal pay for women, health care and family leave for all workers, a voice in the workplace for all people, regardless of age, race, color, religion or sexual orientation; and

WHEREAS, in 2001 Gerald W. McEntee has inspired a commitment in leaders throughout AFSCME to grow the union, and that commitment has resulted in more than 50,000 new members this year; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT we acknowledge, honor and celebrate 20 years in a leadership role as president of this great union;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT we will match his commitment and dedication so that we can all go forth united to help workers organize unions and win justice in the workplace by employing every and all tools — political, bargaining and more; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT we commit to Gerald W. McEntee — a man called the Messiah of the Labor Movement, the Rasputin of the Revolution, and — most importantly, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — that he has our support just as we have his — now and in the future.