"Fighting" Mike Murphy Accepts "Outstanding Trade Unionist of the Year" Award

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Saying that he was “proud to fight for our members,” IUOE Local 99 Business Manager Mike Murphy (at right) took a bow with his trademark grin as he accepted the 2011 Outstanding Trade Unionist of the Year Award at the Metro Washington Council’s annual Evening With Labor awards dinner/dance. A full house at the Omni Shoreham hotel recognized Murphy’s achievement with a resounding and sustained standing ovation at the 35th annual event, which featured a lively reception and dinner at which dozens of area political leaders mingled with nearly 1,000 labor leaders, members and guests. The award ceremonies and speeches kept a sharp focus on the award-winners, with leaders from Metro Council President Jos Williams (at left in photo above) to Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and DC Mayor Vincent Gray congratulating and thanking the winners for their leadership. The NNU nurses at Washington Hospital Center took home the Golden Picket sign for the second straight year, and SEIU 32BJ was awarded the Organizing award, while Thomas Webb and AFGE 3615 were this year's recipients of the Thomas M. Bradley Community Services Award and the Reverend Graylan Hagler’s community leadership was recognized with the Wilhelmina Rolark Outstanding Citizen Award. Maryland Senator Ben Cardin brought the labor crowd to their feet with a brief but fiery speech warning that “There are those who are trying to turn back the clock for workers, for women, for minorities, for voting rights, but we’re not going to let that happen, not on our watch!” Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer followed up by reminding the audience that “So many worked, fought and yes, even died, for the rights of ordinary workers to get a fair shake” and promising that “We’re in this fight together.” Maryland Secretary of State John McDonough presented the Council with a special citation marking the 35th anniversary of the Evening with Labor and Council President Williams extended a special thanks to Dinner Chair Fred Allen (center, in photo below) and organizer Kathleen McKirchy (at right, in photo below), who have worked on the event since the very beginning. Also singled out for special appreciation were the law firms Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis, & Lightfoot, and Ashcraft & Gerel, both longtime major sponsors of the event. - Chris Garlock; photo by Bill Burke/Page One