Congressman Cohen Remembers Bill Lucy

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today noted the passing of Memphis native and longtime civil rights and labor leader Bill Lucy, who passed Tuesday at the age of 90. Bill Lucy served for 38 years as the international Secretary-Treasurer of AFSCME and co-founded the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"Bill Lucy was a hugely influential trade unionist and leader of the civil rights movement, beginning with his critical role in leadership during the Memphis Sanitation Workers strike in 1968, where he was part of the group that came up with the iconic placard message 'I AM A MAN.' I have valued his friendship and good counsel over my decades in public life and particularly cherish the William Lucy Award I received for my work on labor issues in Tennessee. Bill Lucy was on the right side of so many issues and will be remembered for his historic efforts advancing labor victories and helping end apartheid. The nation and the world have lost a great leader, and he will be missed."

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