Community Fund


File: 235-0
250-0

September 14, 2001

To: Officers of all Divisions, Boards,
Locals and Districts of TCU

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

Tuesday’s despicable act of terrorism against our country has deeply affected all Americans. In my September 12 release I said that: ‘We offer our hearts, our support and our prayers to everyone who has lost loved ones and friends. We feel the sorrow, the pain and the loss. We feel the outrage.’

Many TCU members represented by our USWA Division work in the World Trade Center and are unaccounted for at this time. Members of many other unions also worked in the devastated buildings and are now missing. Thousands of trade unionists are participating in the rescue efforts in New York and Washington. And TCU members across the country are courageously and diligently working to make sure that our national transportation system, so vital to our national security, continues to function.

During this national crisis, it is important that we stand united. It is also important for our union to do its part to help as best we can. As you are aware from recent letters issued by my office, the AFL-CIO has established the Union Community Fund to act as labor’s vehicle to assist those in need. Never has that need been greater than now.

Accordingly, AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney has asked organized labor to step forward and contribute to the disaster relief efforts that are underway by donating to the Union Community Fund. A copy of President Sweeney’s letter is attached for your reference.

TCU’s Finance Committee has authorized the Grand Lodge to make a $100,000 donation to the Union Community Fund.

More donations are badly needed. I am requesting that every Division, Board, Local and District within TCU likewise make a donation to the Union Community Fund. I can see no reason why every subordinate unit of our Union cannot make a contribution of some amount to assist with these important efforts.

Your donations to the Union Community Fund should be designated for the September 11th Relief Fund and should be mailed to Union Community Fund, 815 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006. In continuing with past policy, I am requesting that any Local, District, Board or Division making a contribution so advise my office.

An additional way to help is for our members to donate blood at their local Red Cross blood donation centers. Local addresses can be obtained by phoning the national number 1-800-448-3543.

Our response to tragedy, as Americans and as union brothers and sisters, has always been unity of purpose. I am confident that our nation, the labor movement, and our union will now respond in that fashion. I thank you and your members for their support. We are a strong nation and our spirit cannot be crushed. God Bless America!


Attachment
cc: John J. Sweeney, President, AFL-CIO
Richard L. Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO
Linda Chavez-Thompson, Executive Vice President, AFL-C IO

Executive Council
Carmen Division Officers

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