Unions Honor Utah Phillips

[Peter Farruggio <pfarr@cal.berkeley.edu>]

Not directly related to education, but certainly of interest and 
importance to many on this list....

Check out the CDs for sale at Utah Phillips' website


> Unions Passing Resolutions to Honor, Assist Folksinger/Storyteller Bruce
> "Utah" Phillips
>
> Contact: George Mann email: georgeandjulius@att.net phone: 212-923-6372
>
> The great folksinger and storyteller Utah Phillips (
> http://www.utahphillips.org) has had to retire from performing due to
> chronic and serious heart problems that have plagued him for years. In
> recognition of his great love for and work on behalf of the union
> movement and working people of the United States, several union locals
> have passed resolutions honoring Phillips and attaching donations for
> his "retirement fund." Unable to travel or stand the rigors of
> performing a two-hour concert, Phillips has seen his main source of
> income vanish just when his medical problems are demanding more money
> for treatment and medications.
>
> In response, Local 1180 of the Communications Workers of America (NYC),
> and both the Detroit and the James Connolly (Upstate New York) Branches
> of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) have recently passed the
> following resolution:
>
> Bruce "Utah" Phillips is a truly unique American treasure. Not just a
> great folksong writer and interpreter, not just a great storyteller,
> Utah has preserved and presented the history of our nation's working
> people and union movement for audiences throughout the world. His
> recorded work keeps these songs and stories alive. He has spoken up
> against the injustices of boss-dominated capitalism and worked for peace
> and justice for more than 40 years.
>
> Now Utah finds himself unable to continue performing due to severe heart
> problems. We wish to honor and recognize his great talent, spirit and
> love for the working people and the union movement of the United States.
> Therefore, we move to pass this resolution in gratitude for all he has
> done and will continue to do in his work and life. We also wish to
> contribute $____ to Utah Phillips in appreciation and in solidarity as
> he and his wife, Joanna Robinson, deal with his health and the loss of
> his ability to work.
>
> This news is being released with the hope that other unions, anti-war
> and labor-affiliated organizations will respond in kind by passing this
> or similar resolutions in appreciation for all Utah Phillips has done
> for the cause of unions and peace.
>
> Another way that organizations and individuals can help is by purchasing
> some or all of Utah's vast catalog of songs and stories. All of his CDs
> and more information are available at his website,
> http://www.utahphillips.org, and Utah has begun posting podcasts up
> there that you can download and listen to! You can also order his CDs
> online (credit card sales) through http://www.cdbaby.com, b ut be
> advised that prices are cheaper and more of that money will go into
> Utah's hands if you order directly from him. More info on his website.
>
> Here's the address for CD orders and to send a donation:
>
> U. Utah Phillips No Guff Records P.O. Box 1235 Nevada City, CA 95959
> (530) 265-2476
>
> Utah has given so much of himself to the labor and peace movements. It
> is great news that some unions and many have chosen to give something
> back to him, to allow him and his wife, Joanna Robinson, to rest easy,
> work on his long-term health, and not have to worry about where money
> will come for the medicine and bills he has to pay. Please forward and
> post this release widely!
>
> In Solidarity,
>
> George Mann