Editor’s note: The Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer’s intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis.Message of Thanks
I would like to thank the SIU, all officials past and present, for 35 years of great job security. Also I would like to thank my employer, Crescent Towing, for allowing me to work for the best company and boss, Arthur T. Kulp.
If you don’t think the SIU is the best union in the maritime industry, try working for a non-union company for a while. I did. I thought it would be better (wrong). After six months I ran back to the SIU. The grass is never greener on the other side. Stay where you are and enjoy job security and pay and great benefits.
Also, I truly want to thank the late SIU President Paul Hall for seeing that there was a problem in the seafaring industry—alcohol and drugs—and doing something about it when every other business looked down on chemically addicted people. Paul Hall knew that he could help people and he did. When everyone else would just fire you, he had the courage to open the SARC (Seafarers Addictions Rehabilitation Center) for people like me. I have been clean and sober for more than 11 years thanks to the SIU and Paul Hall, and for that I’m extremely grateful. Absolutely no other company or union would do that for their members, and allow the members to still have a job and seniority when they return.
I have only gratitude toward our officials and their families. To our officials for doing their jobs, and to their families for letting them do it.
Three things I would like to say to all SIU officials and members: Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Jimmie L. Rosser
Diamondhead, Mississippi
Political Action Needed
The World War II U.S. Merchant Marine veterans want to thank our union brothers and shipmates for all of your phone calls to Congress asking representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 23. To date, we have 232 co-sponsors in the House, more than enough to get this bill passed.
Now, we have in the Senate S. 1272, a companion bill also known as the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act. So, we ask you to please call your two U.S. senators and ask them to co-sponsor S. 1272. Currently we have 17 senators who have co-sponsored the bill, which is identical to the House version.
The toll-free telephone number for the Capitol is (866) 877-4455. When you are connected, ask for the senator with whom you want to speak. You will be connected to the appropriate office. Please be persistent.
Remember, the U.S. Merchant Marine during WWII protected the United States and its people —only to have some of those same people turn their backs on those who helped save them. About 8,000 U.S. mariners gave their lives. Without the U.S. Merchant Marine in WWII, we would not have won the war!
Richard Wiggins
Kansas City, Missouri
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