[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 172 (Wednesday, December 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF JAMES BUTLER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2001

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of James Butler in 
recognition of his lifetime of outstanding service.
  Jim Butler, is the President of a 10,000 member union, Local 420 
Municipal Hospital Workers Union, DC 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO. He has had a 
lifelong interest in the living and working conditions of the people 
around him. For over 40 years he has played a leadership role in the 
struggle to improve those conditions.
  Since beginning his career at Local 420 as a union organizer in 1954, 
Butler has been a tireless fighter for better pay, health, education 
and other benefits for hospital employees. Gains for workers in these 
areas are the most obvious marks of his leadership. ``I never felt 
better,'' said President Butler,'' than when we were able to win 
respect for hospital workers.''
  Over the last several years, Jim Butler and his local have waged a 
battle against threats to privatize public hospitals in New York City. 
The Local saw their efforts pay off with a victory in stopping the 
privatization of Coney Island Hospital, and the recent victory in 
saving Brooklyn Central Laundry, and 200 member jobs with no layoffs. 
Jim Butler is currently engaged in a boycott at several hospitals 
against the contracting out of employee cafeterias to fast food 
operation such as McDonald's and Burger King.
  No less important, however, are his contributions to the community 
which the hospital workers serve. Butler has been the driving force 
behind the union's frequent demonstrations and rallies for social 
justice. Under his leadership, Local 420's political action also makes 
itself felt in voter education and registration drives. Annually the 
Local registers thousands of voters and directly involves hundreds of 
union members in political campaigns. The Local was a key supporter in 
the historic campaign to elect the first African-American Mayor of the 
City of New York, the Honorable David N. Dinkins.
  Jim Butler has long been part of the struggle for equal opportunity 
for minorities within the labor movement through active membership in 
the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, PUSH, NAACP, Urban League, and 
SCLC Labor Committees. He served on the executive board of CBTU's New 
York Chapter. He also served as a member of the New York Consumer 
Assembly's Board of Directors.
  Butler is the recipient of numerous awards and honors from civil 
rights, labor and community organizations, including the Labor 
Committee of the NAACP, the New York and Jamaica (Queens) chapters of 
the NAACP, the CBTU New York Chapter, Memphis Municipal Workers Local 
1733, the Coalitions of Labor Unions Women, New York State's Black and 
Puerto Rican Caucus, the Hispanic Labor Committee, the Harlem YMCA, 
Queensborough Women's Clubs, the Negro Labor Council, the Community 
Leadership Network, and Central Baptist Church's honoree for 
Outstanding Christian Leader.
  Jim Butler has been the President of Local 420 for 27 years and on 
August 18, 1999 he was elected as a International Vice President to the 
``mother union'', AFSCME. Jim resides in Astoria, Queens, NY with his 
wife, Eloise.
  Mr. Speaker, because of his dedication to helping health care workers 
and fighting for social justice, JIm Butler is more than worthy of 
receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring this truly remarkable leader.

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