WHEREAS:

For more than a quarter century Michael Harrington has been the moral and intellectual voice of democratic socialists in the United States; and

WHEREAS:

His important work, The Other America, published in 1962, is credited with sparking the War on Poverty during the 1960s; and

WHEREAS:

Since that time Michael Harrington has maintained his continuous and stimulating contribution to democratic socialist thought by writing books, including The Vast Majority, The New American Poverty, and The Next Left; and

WHEREAS:

Michael Harrington has fought for civil rights and served on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS:

His forthcoming autobiography, The Long Distance Runner, will chronicle a lifetime of thought and service to democratic socialism in the United States; and

WHEREAS:

Michael Harrington continues to share with the larger community his provocative and stimulating ideas as a commentator on National Public Radio, as professor emeritus at Queens College, and as a member of the graduate faculty of the City University of New York.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME salutes Michael Harrington for his commitment and dedication to the ideals and potential of democratic socialism; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME commends Michael Harrington for his contribution to democratic socialist thought and urges him to continue working for a better America and the world.

SUBMITTED BY:

International Executive Board