HR0421 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0421 LRB102 19440 ECR 28207 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of AFL-CIO President Richard "Rich" Louis Trumka, who passed away on August 5, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Rich Trumka was born to Frank and Eola Bertugli Trumka in Nemacolin, Pennsylvania on July 24, 1949; he attended college and law school; and

WHEREAS, A third generation coal miner, Rich Trumka spent his career in the labor movement; in 1982 at the age of 33, he was elected the youngest president of the United Mine Workers of America; he served as the secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO for over a decade and was elected president of the organization in 2009; he will especially be remembered as a relentless champion of workers' rights, workplace safety, worker-centered trade, democracy, and much more; during the 2008 election, he advocated for then presidential candidate Barack Obama to AFL-CIO members who were hesitant to vote for an African American; after strongly criticizing labor's lack of involvement in past trade negotiations, his support of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement was key to securing enough Democratic votes to pass the Trump-era trade deal; under his leadership, the federation focused its resources on fighting for the repeal of the so-called "Cadillac tax" on expensive health care plans, raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, and advocating for legislation to broadly expand collective bargaining rights; and

WHEREAS, Rich Trumka helped usher a new generation of leaders through his service on the boards of the National Labor College, the AFL-CIO's Solidarity Center, and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; he served on the boards of the Economic Policy Institute and the Housing Investment Trust; in addition, he served as president emeritus of the United Mine Workers of America; and

WHEREAS, Rich Trumka approached each day with a fierce passion to fight for others; when taking respite, he could be found in the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, or camping with his family or with fellow members of the Union Sportsman Alliance; and

WHEREAS, Rich Trumka was preceded in death by his parents; his nephew, Bryan Szallar; his great-nephew, Bronson Szallar; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Katherine Vidovich; and his brothers-in-law, John Vidovich and David Vidovich; and

WHEREAS, Rich Trumka is survived by his wife, Barbara; his son, Rich (Jessica) Trumka Jr.; his sister, Francis (Alex) Szallar; his brother-in-law, Daniel Vidovich; his sisters-in-law, Nella and Nancy; his three grandchildren, Trey and Taylor Trumka and Ki Vidovich; his nieces and nephews; and his many other cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard "Rich" Louis Trumka and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Richard Trumka as an expression of our deepest sympathy.