Legislative Consultant - Elwood Hampton

Elwood Hampton
Legislative Consultant
Washington, DC

From Your LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT ON THE HILL
Elwood Hampton

It is my belief that one should never forget their past. We the members of the ITPEU should be proud of our accomplishments and work harder to maintain the benefits that we now enjoy.

I suggest that you go to the ITPEU web site and click on to the Convention link, the information contained therein should rejuvenate your spirits, especially the section on Resolutions. The Resolutions were adopted by our actions establishing the unions’ position on many issues.

The General Election on November 4, 2008 is approaching and though it may seem that there is plenty of time to engage in the process of voting, this is not the case. The candidates are campaigning now to get your vote. A President will be elected. A Vice-President will be elected. Congressional delegates will also be elected and/or re-elected.

We must remember who we are. We are members of a Labor Union and must stand up for our position. We are also aware that other issues are being promoted therefore we must double check our efforts. It is particularly important that as voters, we devote time sorting through the issues as we decide which of the candidates will get our vote. We hold the key to several important political races, that is if we can overcome deep-seated apathy and get enough concerned voters to the polls. Many however, will not vote because they feel that their one vote will not make a difference.

If you think labor doesn’t make a difference, just ask the opponents of Minimum Wage, Service Contract Act, Davis-Bacon or the Family and Medical Leave Act. Ask the proponents of Fast Track Trade Agreements without labor protections; or environmental standards. These issues and many others such as affordable prescription drugs, Project Labor Agreements, and stronger labor laws for workers who want to join a union without fear and intimidation are part of Labor’s struggle to improve the lives of America’s workers. To remain successful and to achieve Labor’s goals for the future, we must Vote for officials who support those goals. However, in any election we must prove to be the difference between victory and defeat for many of those seeking elected office. A fact which has been proven to Democrats and Republicans alike.

When thinking about whether or not to go to the polls remember the poem of “The Power of One” which reads as follows:

“I’m only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do. What I ought to do, with the help of GOD, I will do.”

If you’re not sure where to VOTE or if you are not sure that you’re REGISTERED, then you need to contact your local BOARD OF ELECTIONS and do the following:

• FIND OUT IF YOU’RE REGISTERED.
• LOCATE YOUR POLLING PLACE.
• KNOW WHAT KIND OF ID IS REQUIRED.
• SAVE THE DATE.
• LEARN ABOUT THE CANDIDATES.

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE, MAKE IT HEARD ON ELECTION DAY.

Our officials and representatives have contributed many interesting articles and events and should continue to submit material for the ITPE Website. Group and individual pictures of interest, community involvement, on the job awards, education, various scholarships, political involvement, and whatever you may consider to be of interest to the membership is always welcome. We will continue to keep our membership up to date on articles of concern by our congressional delegates.

Looking forward to receiving requested material so that our members can see how interesting and informative our website is.

SEE YOU AT THE POLLS.

Your Legislative Consultant
ELWOOD HAMPTON

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