June 22, 2000 CPA Award Dinner’s Honorees — The Courage to Lead

The Lifetime Achievement Award: John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO Since 1995, John Sweeney, as president of the AFL-CIO, has revitalized the 13 million-member federation and has had a brilliant career as a union leader. Before the AFL-CIO, Sweeney began his career as a New York City public school teacher and then made a shift into the labor movement as a union representative while building his career in the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). During Sweeney’s 16 years at SEIU as president, their membership grew from 625,000 to 1.1 million people. Sweeney also holds a degree in economics and has authored several important books on economic policy and social justice. As president of the AFL-CIO, Sweeney has fought raise working and living standards. He has paid special attention to the workforce of immigrants, women and low-wage workers. Sweeney is a key leader in reversing the trend from declining living standards to putting a human face on the global economy.

The Pathfinder Award: Mayor Anthony Williams (Washington, D.C.) Mayor Anthony Williams shows results delivered with integrity, accountability, and openness. As chief planner, Williams supports community involvement through Neighborhood Action, an initiative that will restore faith in the government and engages all citizens in planning for and working for a better, stronger District of Columbia. Williams has also worked hard to ensure that DC agency operations match the community’s priorities. He put $25 million into renovating recreation centers stepping up efforts to clean streets and alleys. Williams has led the way in Washington, DC.

Flemming Fellow Leadership Award: Maine State Senator Chellie Pingree (ME) Maine Senate Majority Leader Chellie Pingree (Flemming Fellow ’96) has been a key leader on numerous economic development initiatives including landmark legislation to enhance small business opportunities. Her leadership in Maine in shaping a comprehensive community mental health system has created support for change in positive new direction for the mentally ill. Pingree has played a key role in passing legislation to make prescription drugs more affordable or free to low-income families and the elderly. This bill is landmark legislation for progressive policy. She has also made significant contributions to CPA’s international women’s economic training programs.

Flemming Fellow Leadership Award: Wisconsin State Representative Antonio Riley (WI) Since 1992, Representative Antonio Riley (Flemming Fellow ’94) has been a leader in Wisconsin. Riley has led efforts to repeal Wisconsin’s welfare system and replace it with a work-based alternative. A member of the powerful Joint Finance Committee, Riley continues to play a leading role in making work pay for low-income families. Riley has also supported re-opening a community-based health clinic in a medically underserved neighborhood, establishing a $102 million low-income energy assistance program, and securing $170 in bonding authority for the Milwaukee Public School system to build a network of neighborhood schools and lessen the need for forced racial busing. Riley is the chairman of the National Democratic Leadership Council’s State Legislative Advisory Board.