Joseph L. Ames, 83, Union Official and Organizer Was Also a Civil Rights Activist

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/16/AR2009071603964.html

Friday, July 17, 2009

-- Rebekah Davis

Joseph L. Ames, 83, a top official for a union of public employees and a longtime activist for civil rights, died June 17 at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring of complications from a stroke.

After working as an official for the Teamsters union in St. Louis, Mr. Ames became an organizer for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees in 1953.

He developed one of the country's largest local unions of public employees. In 1965 the union adopted the constitution of which Mr. Ames was a principal author.

He came to Washington in 1966 as assistant to the president of AFSCME and initiated a number of structural changes in the union's organization. He later was elected international secretary-treasurer of the union, holding that position until his retirement in the mid-1980s.

Joseph Lynn Ames was born in DeSoto, Mo., and received a bachelor's degree from Washington University in St. Louis. During World War II, he served in the Army in Europe and lost his right leg just below the knee during combat. His decorations included the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal.

FULL story at link.

[BlooInBloo]

1. RIP.

[Wednesdays]

2. K&R

:kick: