The extraordinary service of an Iraq war hero – both on and off the battlefield – was recognized on October 8, 2015 at the fourth annual Heroes of Labor awards ceremony, co-sponsored by EmblemHealth and LaborPress.
Roberto LeFurgy served 4 ½ years as a corporal in the Iraq war. He is a highly-decorated officer, a USO Soldier of the Year, a Battalion Commander’s Award winner, and a Purple Heart recipient. On his return home after four tours of Iraq, LeFurgy applied for and was accepted into the Ironworkers, Local 361 training program through the national Helmets-to-Hardhats apprenticeship program.
A leader and a hero in the Iraq war, LeFurgy is now a hero at home, mentoring young children on weekends and in his spare time. According to Matthew Chartrand, Business Manager of Ironworkers, Local 361, “Roberto is an up-and-coming great Ironworker. After serving his country with distinction, he is now doing the same in his community. I was proud to nominate Roberto for this well-deserved honor.”
The Heroes of Labor Awards were formed in 2012 to spotlight the sacrifices and outstanding contributions made by members of the labor community throughout New York City. In addition to Roberto LeFurgy, eleven other labor union members from eight New York City labor unions were honored at the October 8th ceremony:
- Evet Stephens, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 14-14B
- William Caramico, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 94
- Christiana Drayton, Communications Workers of America, Local 1182
- Raheem Harris, Communications Workers of America, Local 1182
- Louis Mark Carotenuto, President, United Food & Commercial Workers, Local 2013
- Patrick Peterson, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 15
- Sheila Gorsky, Organization of Staff Analysts
- Keith Mayo, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237
- Corinthians Andrews, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237
- Bernice Christopher, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237
- Patricia Williams, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237
A special Labor Advocacy Award was presented to Vincent F. Pitta, Founding and Managing Partner, Pitta & Giblin LLP, for his enduring efforts as an advocate and a mediator in the labor community.
The Heroes of Labor awards are hosted by EmblemHealth as part of its commitment to the health and well-being of New York’s working men and women, and sponsored by LaborPress, a news information and advocacy resource for the labor movement. Political and community leaders who attended the October 8th event included Letitia James, NYC Public Advocate; Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, 42nd District; Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley, 57th District; Assemblyman Peter Abbate, 49th District; and New York City Council Members, Ben Kallos, District 5, Daneek Miller, District 27 and Vanessa Gibson, District 16.
For more information, visitwww.emblemhealth.com.
Visit http://laborpress.org/ for more information.
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