Thomas - Debs Dinner 1989

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1989 Norman Thomas - Eugene V. Debs Dinner

The 31st Annual Dinner was held at the Midland Hotel in Chicago. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Alderman Danny K. Davis. Timuel Black presented the award to Milt and Sue Cohen; Carl Shier presented the award to William Winpisinger. The featured speaker was Dr. Quentin Young. Folk singer and labor activist Allen Schwartz performed at the event.

Program Book Cover

(The face in the flower is the head of Eastern Airlines, who was attempting to fly on the backs of his employees.)

Sue and Milt Cohen

For fifty years you two have put your lives on the line in unflagging struggle for a better world. While Milt went to Spain to fight fascism with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, Sue worked with the Unemployed Councils and stood courageously against police terror in the 1937 Republic Steel Company massacre.

When you were called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, Milt, you stood up for all Americans by insisting for nine long years that we have a right to express our political beliefs. You carried on your struggle for civil liberties and against political harassment through the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights.

You both worked in the Civil Rights Movement. Milt, your efforts with the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs to build coalitions of Jews, African-Americans, and Hispanics have helped heal this city's divisions. You then applied these skills to movements of the handicapped and the poor.

Sue and Milt, you have spent countless hours registering voters, passing literature and petitions, and working to elect progressives. Your efforts were pivotal in convincing Harold Washington to run for Mayor.

With the New American Movement, and now as Chair of Chicago DSA, you have refused to let us become complacent, Milt. No matter what the burdens, no matter what the set backs, you both have risen again and again to strategize with us about the way forward to a just society.

The Norman Thomas - Eugene V. Debs Committee is honored to present you with its award on this 6th day of May 1989.

William Winpisinger

You have been an inspiration during these years of Reagan - Bush reaction.

You have spent a lifetime fighting the good fight for the members of the International Aassociation of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

You have helped metal and aerospace workers throughout the world as a member of the Executive Committee of the International Metalworkers Federation.

By working for sane nuclear policy for all people in advocating the conversion of arms poduction to peaceful purposes, and as a founder and president of the Citizen / Labor Energy Coalition, the organization that protects the interests of energy consumers, you have been exemplary.

You have been a credit to the Democratic Socialists of America as a Vice Chair with your work, and with your industrial program "Let's Rebuild America".

Above all your life has been a constant act of sharing your time, your energy, and your enthusiasm. The Norman Thoms - Eugene V. Debs Committee is honored to present you with its award on this 6th day of May 1989.

1989 Norman Thomas - Eugene V. Debs Dinner
The 31st Annual Dinner was held at the Midland Hotel in Chicago. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Alderman Danny K. Davis. Timuel Black presented the award to Milt and Sue Cohen; Carl Shier presented the award to William Winpisinger. The featured speaker was Dr. Quentin Young. Folk singer and labor activist Allen Schwartz performed at the event.
(The face in the flower is the head of Eastern Airlines, who was attempting to fly on the backs of his employees.)
Sue and Milt Cohen For fifty years you two have put your lives on the line in unflagging struggle for a better world. While Milt went to Spain to fight fascism with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, Sue worked with the Unemployed Councils and stood courageously against police terror in the 1937 Republic Steel Company massacre. When you were called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, Milt, you stood up for all Americans by insisting for nine long years that we have a right to express our political beliefs. You carried on your struggle for civil liberties and against political harassment through the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights. You both worked in the Civil Rights Movement. Milt, your efforts with the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs to build coalitions of Jews, African-Americans, and Hispanics have helped heal this city's divisions. You then applied these skills to movements of the handicapped and the poor. Sue and Milt, you have spent countless hours registering voters, passing literature and petitions, and working to elect progressives. Your efforts were pivotal in convincing Harold Washington to run for Mayor. With the New American Movement, and now as Chair of Chicago DSA, you have refused to let us become complacent, Milt. No matter what the burdens, no matter what the set backs, you both have risen again and again to strategize with us about the way forward to a just society. The Norman Thomas - Eugene V. Debs Committee is honored to present you with its award on this 6th day of May 1989.
William Winpisinger You have been an inspiration during these years of Reagan - Bush reaction. You have spent a lifetime fighting the good fight for the members of the International Aassociation of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. You have helped metal and aerospace workers throughout the world as a member of the Executive Committee of the International Metalworkers Federation. By working for sane nuclear policy for all people in advocating the conversion of arms poduction to peaceful purposes, and as a founder and president of the Citizen / Labor Energy Coalition, the organization that protects the interests of energy consumers, you have been exemplary. You have been a credit to the Democratic Socialists of America as a Vice Chair with your work, and with your industrial program "Let's Rebuild America". Above all your life has been a constant act of sharing your time, your energy, and your enthusiasm. The Norman Thoms - Eugene V. Debs Committee is honored to present you with its award on this 6th day of May 1989.

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