[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 82 (Thursday, May 27, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4524-S4525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO LINDOL ATKINS, JR.

 Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I honor Vermonter Lindol Atkins, 
Jr., a man who has dedicated his life to the struggle for workers' 
rights and economic justice. For more than 35 years, Lindol Atkins has 
provided spirited

[[Page S4525]]

and dedicated leadership in representing municipal employees in 
Burlington. As a former mayor of Burlington, I can attest firsthand 
that Mr. Atkins has distinguished himself as an indomitable leader of 
workers' rights efforts in the State of Vermont.
  Lindol Atkins began his fight to improve the rights and protections 
of Burlington city employees back in 1968 when he joined AFSCME. 
Elected president of AFSCME Local 1343 in 1970, Lindol continued his 
mission to advance the rights of workers by skillfully handling all 
grievance and arbitration cases. As the lead negotiator for the union, 
he also led many successful contract campaigns that ultimately improved 
employees' wages and working conditions. In 2005, Mr. Atkins retired as 
president of the Burlington AFSCME local, but rather than slow down and 
enjoy his well-earned rest he continued his leadership role within the 
labor movement by being elected president of the Vermont State Labor 
Council, AFL-CIO.
  A husband and father of 12, Lindol Atkins has the enviable ability to 
be able to do many things well--a wonderful and necessary quality in 
one with such a deep devotion to the labor movement as well as to his 
large, loving family. Indeed, it is the dedicated and remarkable people 
like Lindol Atkins who have kept America moving forward. His 
unparalleled commitment to civic values has been a major factor in 
earning Vermont its well-deserved reputation for social justice and 
principled community leadership. Lindol has received many awards for 
his work guiding Vermont's labor movement, with the capstone being the 
presentation of this year's AFL-CIO Presidential Lifetime Achievement 
Award.
  The quality of life in Vermont, and in our Nation, is strengthened by 
individuals such as Lindol Atkins, Jr., whose quest to better working 
conditions for men and women in his community has brought a great sense 
of solidarity to not just the people of Vermont, but the entire Nation. 
I commend his loyalty and great contributions to the labor movement, to 
Vermont, and to the United States.

                          ____________________