Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato’s Office
Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato (far r.) poses with the night’s honorees, including fellow borough Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (D-LIC).
By Forum Staff
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) on Friday presented a labor award to William Lacey, the director of Civil Service Carpenters with the New York City District Council of Carpenters, at the Irish Echo 2017 Irish Labor Awards at the Edison Ballroom in Manhattan.
Pheffer Amato was one of only five lawmakers selected by the Echo, America’s oldest Irish newspaper, to present an award at the annual dinner, which recognizes the contributions of Irish-Americans to the labor movement, both in the Legislature and within unions.
“Bill Lacey has held a special role in this fight by serving as lead representative for the Civil Service Carpenters. His team works in 16 City agencies across the five boroughs. They literally build the American dream,” the assemblywoman said on Friday. “I congratulate him on his honor by the Echo, I want to thank the Echo and TD Adams, and I’m more inspired than ever to work with each of you to protect our fellow working New Yorkers!”
The celebration’s featured speakers included Gerry Adams, an Irish republican politician and president of the Sinn Féin political party, and Terry O’Sullivan, president of Laborers’ International Union of North America.
“The Irish-American labor movement and organized labor in America are almost synonymous,” Pheffer Amato added. “I’m a member of the American-Irish Legislators’ Society, and there’s a huge Irish population in my district. I have such an appreciation for the accomplishments of the people in this room and for your forebears. Labor leaders push us hard to do the right thing. Keep pushing us. Those of us in government who are listening will keep joining with you to amplify your voice.”
