PRINTER'S NO. 4447
No. 825 Session of 2006
INTRODUCED BY BELFANTI, SURRA, EACHUS, DeWEESE, VEON, BLACKWELL,
BUXTON, CASORIO, FREEMAN, GERGELY, GOODMAN, W. KELLER,
McGEEHAN, RAMALEY, BEBKO-JONES, BEYER, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI,
COHEN, CORRIGAN, CRAHALLA, CREIGHTON, CRUZ, DALEY, DeLUCA,
FORCIER, GABIG, GANNON, GEORGE, GRUCELA, HARHAI, HASAY,
HERSHEY, JAMES, JOSEPHS, KILLION, LEACH, LEDERER, MANN,
McGILL, McILHATTAN, MELIO, MILLARD, MYERS, PALLONE, PARKER,
PHILLIPS, PISTELLA, RAYMOND, READSHAW, ROBERTS, ROHRER,
ROONEY, SAINATO, SATHER, SCAVELLO, SHANER, SHAPIRO, SIPTROTH,
STABACK, TIGUE, VITALI, WALKO, WOJNAROSKI, YOUNGBLOOD AND
YUDICHAK, JUNE 30, 2006
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 30, 2006
A RESOLUTION
1 Commemorating the life of the late Martin "Marty" Berger and
2 recognizing his contributions and achievements for working
3 residents and retired residents in Pennsylvania and
4 throughout the country.
5 WHEREAS, Martin Berger passed away on June 18, 2006, from
6 cancer at the age of 77; and
7 WHEREAS, Mr. Berger dedicated his life to advocating on
8 behalf of workers, organized labor and retirees; and
9 WHEREAS, Mr. Berger first became active in politics at the
10 age of 15, living in New York City; and
11 WHEREAS, Throughout his work and travels on behalf of the
12 labor movement, Mr. Berger helped thousands of laborers join
13 unions, assisting in the development and growth of unions and
14 improving workers' living standards and respect on the job; and
1 WHEREAS, Mr. Berger spent his career helping to build the
2 International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), which is now
3 known as UNITE HERE, and the AFL-CIO has referred to it as one
4 of the strongest and most progressive unions in the United
5 States; and
6 WHEREAS, Mr. Berger opened the First Garment Workers Justice
7 Center in New York; and
8 WHEREAS, Mr. Berger most recently served this organization as
9 the retiree coordinator for the Pennsylvania Chapter of UNITE
10 HERE; and
11 WHEREAS, Mr. Berger served as vice-president of the
12 Pennsylvania AFL-CIO; and
13 WHEREAS, At the time of his death Mr. Berger held the
14 position of President of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired
15 Americans (PARA), the Pennsylvania affiliate of a national
16 organization that serves over three million seniors and
17 retirees; and
18 WHEREAS, Among many notable achievements while heading PARA,
19 Mr. Berger garnered significant grassroots support for the
20 expansion of programs for Pennsylvania seniors, including
21 improved eligibility requirements for the PACE and PACENET
22 programs; and
23 WHEREAS, In addition to advocating on behalf of retirees, Mr.
24 Berger encouraged all seniors in Pennsylvania to use their
25 golden years to become more active and participate in
26 government; therefore be it
27 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commemorate the
28 life of the late Martin "Marty" Berger and recognize his
29 contributions and achievements for working residents and retired
30 residents in Pennsylvania and throughout the country and
20060H0825R4447 - 2 -
1 remember Martin "Marty" Berger as a man whose tireless efforts
2 brought about a better life for millions of people; and be it
3 further
4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives extend
5 condolences to the family and friends of Martin Berger; and be
6 it further
7 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
8 his wife, Helen Berger, at 141 Cedarbrook Road, Ardmore PA
9 19003.
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