Sweeney Receives Medal Of Freedom

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Retired AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney (r) formally received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, at a White House ceremony Feb. 15. Prior unionists who received the medal include late longtime labor lobbyist Evelyn Dubrow and late political cartoonist Herbert Block (Herblock), the longest-ever member of The Newspaper Guild. Sweeney, president of the labor federation for almost 15 years, was cited for his up-from-the-bootstraps life story, and for revitalizing the labor movement.  He also was cited for expanding the membership and invigorating organizing with his own prior union, the Service Employees. “I am profoundly honored to receive this award among so many exceptional recipients. It is with great admiration and respect that I accept this award on behalf of hard-working Americans. I am deeply fortunate to have been able to devote my life to protecting and promoting the rights of working families everywhere,” Sweeney said after receiving the medal, which President Barack Obama (l) draped around Sweeney’s neck. - Press Associates, Inc.; photo courtesy AFL-CIO