In Support of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Program

WHEREAS, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Program provides an opportunity for high school seniors to win scholarships that assist with payment for all forms of higher education, therefore helping working families deal with rising tuition costs; and

WHEREAS, the labor history exam and essay, the standard by which students may qualify for an award, helps them to understand the role and importance of labor organizations in the United States; and

WHEREAS, for 49 years, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and affiliated unions have carried out this program, and each year give out hundreds of scholarships worth nearly $1 million to students who are union members, the children, step-children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews of union members, and high-achieving students who are not in union-families; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO reaffirms it's commitment to the Scholarship Program, and commits to the goal of awarding over $1 million in scholarships in 2008 and beyond, surpassing the 2007 record high of $963,000; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that the President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will transmit a copy of this resolution and other information to all relevant parties to demonstrate its ardent support for the Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Program.

Submitted by:
Robert J. Haynes, President
Louis A. Mandarini, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer