Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. – NYC Central Labor Council President

Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. – NYC Central Labor Council President

The following are excerpts from the remarks at the Local 6 Better Race Relations award meeting by Harry Van Arsdale, Jr., president of the New York City Central Trades and Labor Council.

Tonight is a great night for the labor movement and a great night for our country. Discrimination of all types is something that everyone has a responsibility to bring an end to. It is not, as these youngsters and those supporting them have learned, an easy road and it will not be an easy road.

When I had the pleasure to meet these nine youngsters, the thought came to my mind, "How could anyone, man, woman, northerner, southerner, anyone who claims to be a member of the human race, be mean to these nine lovely American children?"

And when you come to realize the people that might in many other ways be normal, who brought about the disgrace to our country in Arkansas, it just brings to our minds what bigotry and hatred and fear can do to what are otherwise decent people.

I think that Local 6 has made a tremendous contribution. What I have seen here tonight I will do the best that I can to convey to the unions of the Central Trades and Labor Council, because we must all be honest with ourselves. All the discrimination is not in the South.

Earlier this evening, I reported to 3,500 members of the union I have the honor to represent what you were going to do this evening, and the fact that Jimmy O'Hara (Secretary, Hotel Trades Council) and myself had been invited here. There was an instantaneous response from the entire membership, which showed the tremendous approval there is for people like you in Local 6 and your officers and members, having the courage to do the right thing. I want to congratulate them.

I wish these youngsters every success for the future. I know that their trip here will indelibly impress on them the responsibilities that they have to continue the fight that they have carried on so well.