International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO 52nd Quadrennial Convention |
Sunday, July 22, 2007
With 300-plus delegates and more than 700 guests, the ILA is demonstrating to the world that its convention theme rings true: The ILA is United, Powerful and America's Best!
Convention sessions will start on Monday, July 23, and organizers have planned an array of activities to welcome participants, including a golf tournament and fundraiser for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp today.
On Tuesday evening, attendees will be treated to a concert at the Hard Rock Live, where blues legend B.B. King will perform, along with Al Green and Chaka Khan.
A formal gala dinner will be held on Wednesday evening and the entire convention will be capped off with a poolside party, complete with a reggae band, overlooking the beautiful ocean on Thursday evening.
"We want to be sure that our guests enjoy themselves," says ILA President and Convention Chairman John Bowers. "We know that the dedicated leaders of our ILA locals take time away from their families and friends to run this union. We would not be strong without their commitment and we want to recognize and thank the extended ILA family for the role they play in supporting our leaders."
While their guests are enjoying the sights and sounds of our gracious host city, delegates will be busy with daily general convention sessions in the mornings and committee meetings in the afternoons.
Over four days of sessions, nearly 50 speakers will address the full spectrum of issues relevant to the ILA and its members. From health care to port security to organizing, politics, safety, wages, retirees, port projects, labor-management relations and the general state of the shipping industry, delegates will have an opportunity to learn first hand about the developments and policies that impact the ILA and its ability to successfully represent its members.
President Bowers will deliver opening remarks and throughout the week, delegates will hear from other ILA Executive Council members. Executive Vice President Richard P. Hughes and Secretary-Treasurer Robert E. Gleason will speak on Tuesday.
On Thursday, we'll hear from General Vice President Benny Holland, Jr., General Organizer Gerald Owens, Assistant General Organizer Harold J. Daggett, South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District President Clyde Fitzgerald, Great Lakes District Council President John D. Baker, and International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots President Captain Timothy Brown.
Featured guest speakers include Congresswoman Corinne Brown (D-FL) and Congressmen Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Al Green (D-TX) and Neil Abercrombie (D-HI).
"Through their Congressional committee work and legislative support, they have helped the ILA and its members survive and thrive in the face of global and national challenges," notes President Bowers.
Admiral Thad W. Allen, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard also will address delegates.
"I am very eager for our delegates to hear from Admiral Allen," says President Bowers. "I believe that every ILA member understands the critical role the Coast Guard plays in securing the nation's maritime regions and as a result, longshoremen's livelihoods. This is an important opportunity for the ILA to show our respect."
AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez Thompson will speak on Monday, and several other state, county and municipal AFL-CIO representatives also are on the roster.
The convention will close with general elections on Thursday.
Stay tuned for daily dispatches from the International Longshoremen's Association 52nd Quadrennial Convention!