Barbara Lubin (left), a candidate for Arizona Corporation Commissioner, greets Bill Elzey of Local 113, Winslow, Ariz., after he was presented with the Arizona State Democratic Party's District Chairman of the Year Award.

ARIZONA
Retired Assistant Legislative Director Bill Elzey (L-113) received the District Chairman of the Year Award at a ceremony hosted by the Arizona Democratic Party for his more than 30 years of outstanding work on behalf of Democratic Party candidates and all working persons in Navajo County.

"Bill was completely surprised when his name was announced because Assistant Director Dave Shearer and I invited him down from Winslow to participate in the awards dinner without advising him he had been nominated and had won the award," Legislative Director Scott Olson said.

Elzey was presented the award by Barbara Lubin, the Democratic candidate for Arizona Corporation Commissioner and a life-long friend of the UTU.

Also receiving an award was retired UTU member Bill Pyritz (L-1800), who was recognized as Campaign Volunteer of the Year in the state. Unfortunately, Pyritz was unable to attend the ceremony due to his wife's illness.

CALIFORNIA
On August 9, the California State Assembly's Labor and Employment Committee passed S.B. 200, a bill which would require freight trains operated in the state to be manned by at least two persons, one of whom must be a "railroad trainman."

All Democrats on the committee voted "aye" and all Republicans voted "no," said Legislative Director J.P. Jones.

The bill had passed the Senate by a vote of 23-15 on May 24.

The next stop for the legislation is the Assembly floor and Jones and Assistant Director Mike Anderson are asking all UTU members there to contact their representatives in the Assembly and encourage them to support the legislation.

The bill was introduced by 18th District Sen. Jack O'Connell.

MASSACHUSETTS/RHODE ISLAND
The UTU's Massachusetts Legislative Board, in conjunction with UTU Locals 262, 898, 1462 and 1473, is holding a special informational meeting for all UTU members on September 30, 2000, reported Director George T. Casey.

The meeting will run from noon until 4 p.m. at the IBEW Hall at 256 Freeport Street in Dorchester, Mass., just off the I-93 SE Expressway.

The UTU Insurance Association, UTU designated legal counsel and various health insurance providers will be represented, and a TPEL drive and voter registration drive will be conducted.

National Legislative Director James M. Brunkenhoefer and Alternate National Legislative Director James A. Stem, Jr., also will be in attendance.

MICHIGAN
The UTU's Michigan State Legislative Board has established an Internet website to keep members there updated on issues that affect their employment and livelihood.

Michigan Legislative Director David Brickey said that the site can be reached at <http://members.aol.com/utumisld/mlb.htm> which also contains links to send e-mail to Brickey, Assistant Director Donnie H. Carter and Secretary Gregory A. Mathey.

Brickey is urging all UTU members in the state to contact U.S. Senators Carl Levin (202-224-6221) and Spencer Abraham (202-224-4822) and request their support of H.R. 4844, the Railroad Retirement and Survivors Act of 2000, when it hits the Senate floor.

Brickey also noted that all but three U.S. representatives from the state of Michigan have signed on as co-sponsors of H.R. 4844. He is asking UTU members in those districts to contact their representatives and seek their support when the legislation reaches the House floor. They are 2nd District Rep. Peter Hoekstra (202-225-4401), 7th District Rep. Nick Smith (202-225-6276) and 12th District Rep. Sander Levin (202-225-4961).

Left to right, UTU Auxiliary International President Edythe Walter, Second Vice Chairperson Billy R. Parker, Assistant Legislative Director Joseph A. Boda, Jr., Ohio 12th Congressional District candidate MaryEllen O'Shaughnessy, Legislative Director William J. Thompson, Secretary David W. Otten, and Vice Chairperson Luther G. Newsom.

OHIO
On August 8, members of the Ohio State Legislative Board played host to MaryEllen O'Shaughnessy, the Democratic candidate for Ohio's 12th Congressional District, at the board office in Columbus, Ohio. UTU Auxiliary International President Edythe Walter also was in attendance.

Legislative Director Bill Thompson said that O'Shaughnessy, who is seeking to fill the seat of departing conservative Republican John Kasich, supports a strong patients' bill of rights and the expansion of Medicare to cover prescription drugs.

"UTU members living in Ohio's 12th Congressional District need to support Ms. O'Shaughnessy. She will be a good friend of labor if elected," he added.

O'Shaughnessy, a single parent who earned a college degree while working as a funeral director in her family's 111-year-old business and caring for elderly parents, currently serves as a member of the Columbus City Council.

"I am optimistic about our future, and I know with hard work, a lot of listening, good ideas and the right experience, we can build a better future for families," O'Shaughnessy said.

Thompson also updated a report to last month's UTU News, stating that Ohio Gov. Robert Taft signed into law Senate Bill 207, which increases the penalty for the obstruction of a road or highway by a railroad train from a minor misdemeanor to a misdemeanor of the first degree.

OREGON
Members of the Oregon State Legislative Board met from August 15-17 in Salem to select candidates for endorsement at the state and national levels in the upcoming November general election.

In attendance were Legislative Director Delmer Hanson (L-473), Assistant Legislative Director Greg Boam (L-471), Secretary Marvin Williams (L-1573) and Office Manager Jamie Victor.

WYOMING
Alternate National Legislative Director James A. Stem, Jr. with former Wyoming State Legislative Director T.R. Shelby and current Wyoming Legislative Director George Bagby in attendance at the Democratic Party National Convention in Los Angeles, Cal., which was held August 14-17, 2000. Bagby was elected Wyoming's national committeeman to the Democratic convention earlier this year and also served as delegate-at-large to the convention.