By Alfredo Alvarado
Posted: November 29, 2001
Members of Local 420 starred in Harlem Oct. 10 at a special tribute to hospital workers who treated the victims and joined in the rescue effort at the World Trade Center.
“You are the everyday heroes," DC 37 Administrator Lee Saunders told the dedicated employees of the cityís Health and Hospitals Corp. “Thank you very much for your commitment and hard work.” Describing the role of DC 37 members in coping with the crisis, he said, “We have hope and we have character and we will continue to fight for what is right.”
Local 420’s "Special Service of Jubilee: From Tragedy to Hope!" was held at the Metropolitan AME Church and featured a performance by the Gwendolyn Hooks Concert Choir.
Before hundreds of members, Mr. Saunders offered high praise for the efforts of Local 420 and Local President James Butler. "I'm amazed that our DC 37 building is still standing so close to the wreckage. And just like it, despite the hard time we have been through, Local 420 is standing tall for its members.”
"The Aides, the LPNs, so many others – you were the support team and tonight we say thank you. A real thank you, because we have so much to be grateful for," said Mr. Butler who on Oct. 17 honored its members at the office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Guest speakers included William Lucy, secretary-treasurer of AFSCME, DC 37’s parent union, New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and the Rev. Al Sharpton.
"I needed to be here tonight to say thank you," said Mr. McCall after the opening prayer. "You performed a mighty service for your city." "I came here to applaud you. You saved lives," said Mr. Lucy.