I was born on August 5, 1958 in Nouasseur Air Base, Morocco, Africa.
My union involvement begain in 1977 as an organizer with the United Steelworkers Local 8888 to organize the Newport News Shipyard. We finally got recognized in 1979 after a three and a half month violent strike. I continued to be active in union events and politics, working the polls every year.
In 1999 my carerr as a lobbyist had its start during the strike that year. I was called on to lobby congress on behalf of Local 8888. When that ended a few years later Alton Glass was elected president and I was appointed as the Political Action Chair for the Local. I kept that postion through three different presidents until my retirement two years ago.
In 2004 I was appointed to work the election for Jeion Ward in her first election. We won, overwhelmingly, an she is still in Richmond talking for union members.
I worked every election cycle since then, along with my friend Dale Bare. I always covered Eastern Virignia for the AFL-CIO and the United Steelworkers and Dale covered Western part of Virginia when possible. I have knocked well over a hundred thousand doors in my career.
I also was the lead lobbyist for the local until my retirement, making yearly trips to Washington, D.C. and Richmond to help sucure workers rights.
I became involved in politics to futher the union cause and make sure the Democratic Party never turned their backs on workers. I served as chair of the Virginia Association of Democratic Chairs, sitting on the state steering committee for 15 years. I also served as chair of our loval democratic committee in Newport News for over 15 years.
When Terry McAuliffe won Governor I was appointed to two regulartory boards for the state; the Board of Contractors and the Board of Asbestos, Lead and Home Inspecion. Under Ralph Notham I was appointed to both boards. I very much enjoyed looking out for the workers on these two boards.
I finally retired out of the shipyard two years ago, but have continued my activisim. The USW has continued to employ me for election cylces and I became the Political Action Chair for SOAR Chapter 35-1, whcih is the reitrees from the shipyard. I also recently got them added to the state AFL-CIO as members, becoming the first SOAR union nationwide with such affiliation.
I have to many to thank for this career but of course my brother Dale is one. My successor at Local 8888, Celeste Elaine Armstrong is another. She has been a great replacement and I am sure the position is in good hands. I also wish to thank all the presidents who allowed me to serve; Alton Glass, Arnold Outlaw and Charles Spivey.
I could keep naming names, but the last person I wish to thank is my wife of 44 years. When I went on strike, Victoria said nothing, standing by my side knowing she would have to carry a higher load than before financially. Through all the years she knew I was union and what that meant to me. She was there. Now it is my turn to be beside her in her time of need. It is probably a much higher load but I am union and it means you stick together when you are down and you stick together in support till the end.
Thank you for the award, I will cherish it as a sign that I did not wast my life but chose to help people. It is a purpose I took at heart.