81R4255 BPG-D
By: McClendon H.R. No. 127
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Linda Chavez-Thompson, executive vice president
emerita of the AFL-CIO, has dedicated herself to America's workers
for more than 40 years, forging new pathways for the labor movement;
and
WHEREAS, A second-generation American of Mexican descent,
Ms. Chavez-Thompson was born and raised in the Lubbock area; she
began laboring long hours in the fields with her father at the age
of 10; her formal education ended after the ninth grade, when family
circumstances forced her to work full-time picking cotton and
cleaning houses; she never ceased to study, however, and her
extraordinary career began at 24, when a family friend who could not
speak Spanish hired her as his bilingual secretary at the local
chapter of the Laborers International Union; her skill and keen
intelligence led to a job overseeing tornado relief efforts for the
AFL-CIO in 1971, and later that year she was hired by the American
Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Chavez-Thompson rose through the ranks as an
organizer and went on to serve with great distinction as an
international vice president of the AFSCME; she also served as
national vice president of the AFL-CIO Labor Council for Latin
American Advancement; in 1993, she was elected as a vice president
of the executive council of the national AFL-CIO, and two years
later she was elected executive vice president of the federation,
becoming the first person of color to hold one of its three highest
offices; and
WHEREAS, During her 12 years as the highest ranking woman in
organized labor, Ms. Chavez-Thompson helped reinvigorate the
movement by using innovative methods to connect with new
constituencies, including women, minorities, and immigrants;
demonstrating profound compassion for those facing discrimination
and exploitation, she focused on civil rights, human rights, and
community issues and built valuable coalitions with outside
organizations and religious groups; her endeavors have been
recognized with such accolades as the 2008 Farmworker Justice
Award, a Mother Jones Award from the Coalition of Labor Union Women,
and the 2003 Latina of the Year Award from CATALINA magazine and
Hispanas Organized for Political Equality; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan retired to San Antonio in
September 2007 to spend more time with her children and
grandchildren, but she remains active as executive vice president
emerita, as chair of the AFL-CIO Immigration Committee, and as
president of the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas; in
2008, she led an AFL-CIO fact-finding delegation to Colombia and
aided the federation's campaign to protect the voting rights of
Hispanic citizens; moreover, she serves as a vice chair of the
Democratic National Committee and as the labor representative to
the Public Board of Trustees of the San Antonio Transit Authority;
and
WHEREAS, For more than four decades, Linda Chavez-Thompson
has been a bold and effective champion of American workers; her
efforts to combat social and economic injustice have helped
countless people realize their dreams of a better life; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend Linda Chavez-Thompson for her
remarkable contributions to workers' issues and civil and human
rights and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Chavez-Thompson as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.