NYSUT bids farewell to Hobart; will elect new officers at convention

April 4, 2005

ALBANY, N.Y. April 4, 2005 - New York State United Teachers President Thomas Y. Hobart Jr. will retire after 33 years as president, and the state's largest union will elect new leadership when nearly 2,500 delegates gather this week for NYSUT's 33rd annual Representative Assembly.

U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and other federal and state dignitaries are among those expected in New York City to salute Hobart's three-plus decades at the helm of the more than 500,000-member statewide union. Under Hobart's leadership, NYSUT has grown from 100,000 members in 1973 to an organization that now represents 95 percent of the state's classroom teachers; tens of thousands of school-related professionals; faculty and staff of the State University and City University systems; and thousands of health care workers. Pending his doctor's decision, former President Bill Clinton will attend a Friday evening gala in Hobart's honor.

"I'm proud of the role NYSUT has played in the union movement both here in New York and around the world. Working together, we have strengthened our profession, protected the rights of working people and built a better, more equitable education system. We have accomplished a lot and our union is as strong as it's ever been. It's the right time to pass the torch," Hobart said.

NYSUT Vice President Richard Iannuzzi, who until June was a fourth-grade teacher in Central Islip on Long Island, is widely expected to be elected as Hobart's successor on Saturday. Elections will also be held for executive, first and second vice presidents, as well as secretary-treasurer.

In other action at the three-day convention, to be held at the New York City Hilton and Towers, 53rd St. and Avenue of the Americas, the NYSUT delegates are expected to debate and adopt dozens of resolutions on educational issues, setting the union's direction on school funding, education policy, civil and human rights, health care and many other topics.

A host of other elected leaders, including Attorney General Elliot Spitzer, state Comptroller Alan Hevesi, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, R-Brunswick, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, will also address delegates and honor Hobart's service.

Hobart, the longest-serving state teacher union president in the nation, will give his final State of the Union address at about 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

From organized labor, state AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes and Brian McLaughlin, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, are expected to greet delegates. United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, leader of the NYSUT's largest local union, will also address union members.

State Education Commissioner Richard Mills will discuss education policy and classroom issues - including the state's drive to raise academic standards and implement new testing -on Friday morning.

In addition, NYSUT will honor New York State Teacher of the Year Elizabeth Day of Mechanicville; Higher Education Member of the Year Lorna Arrington of United University Professions; Health Care Professional of the Year Anne Goldman of the UFT; SRP of the Year Oupekha (Sam) Keomuongchanh of Rochester Association of Paraprofessionals, and other outstanding NYSUT activists.

Schedule of Events

New York State United Teachers
2005 Representative Assembly Highlights
New York City Hilton & Towers

Dates and times of speeches are tentative and subject to change. Please contact the NYSUT Press Office during the Representative Assembly for confirmation. The convention Press Office phone number, from April 6 to April 9 is (212) 261-6109.

Thursday, April 7

7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. GENERAL SESSION I

• Greetings from United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten
• Greetings from Brian McLaughlin, president, NYC Central Labor Council
• Report of NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin
• Presentation to Teacher of the Year Elizabeth Day

Friday, April 8

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. GENERAL SESSION II

• Greetings from AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes
• Remarks by Comptroller Alan Hevesi
• Remarks by Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno
• Remarks by New York Education Commissioner Richard Mills
• Remarks by Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
• Remarks by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
• Report of NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer Ivan Tiger
• Tribute to former NYSUT First Vice President Antonia Cortese

2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. GENERAL SESSION III

• Presentation to former AFT President Sandra Feldman
• State of the Union Address by NYSUT President Thomas Y. Hobart Jr.
• Report of NYSUT Second Vice President Maria Neira
• Debate on Resolutions

7:30 p.m. CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF NYSUT PRESIDENT THOMAS Y. HOBART JR.

• Remarks by U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

Saturday, April 9

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. GENERAL SESSION IV

• Report of NYSUT First Vice President Richard Iannuzzi
• Awards Presentations
• Debate on Resolutions

2:30 p.m. to Adjournment GENERAL SESSION V

• Report of NYSUT President-Elect
• Debate on Resolutions

NYSUT, the largest union in New York State, represents more than 500,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; academic and professional faculty at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York; and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.

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