Convention delegates took a moment Sept. 24 to recognize the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and to honor the IBEW members who lost their lives during or as a result of the attacks.
New York City Local 3 President Thomas Cleary read the names of the members who died on 9/11, as well as the names of the members who later succumbed to certified 9/11-related illnesses resulting from exposure to toxins while working at the World Trade Center and other sites.
Cleary reported on the status of the IBEW Disaster Fund that was established to provide financial assistance to the families that lost loved ones on 9/11, as well as assistance to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
The fund has collected nearly $4 million, which has been split among surviving 9/11 family members. In some cases, the beneficiaries will continue to receive assistance for the rest of their lives.
Additionally, the fund provided financial assistance to members from Local 3 and Long Island, N.Y., Locals 25 and 1049 after Hurricane Sandy. The fund collected donations totaling just over $1 million, which was distributed to members and their families.
Each check has “Please accept this small token of appreciation from the members of the IBEW” written on it.
“It was through the generosity of members such as yourselves that the IBEW Disaster Fund was established,” Cleary said. “On behalf of the directors of the fund and the recipients of your generosity, I say thank you.”
Upon conclusion of the report, International President Kenneth W. Cooper called for a moment of silence to honor all of those the Brotherhood has lost.
