AFL- CIO BACKS MC CORD LABOR MOVEMENT JOINS CAUCUS CAMPAIGN CAPITOL HILL.TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009 – In what can only be described as a massive display of solidarity (American Labor’s favorite word), the new President of the American giant Labor federation, the AFL-CIO, has joined the campaign of the Irish National Caucus to secure justice for Raymond Mc Cord Jr. Richard L. Trumpka, who was elected president in September 2009 of the 11.5 million –member organization, delivered the AFL-CIO’s support in a letter, dated October 29, to Caucus president, Fr. Sean Mc Manus: “ Dear Father Mc Manus,  Many thanks for your kind letter sent to me concerning the Congressional Hearing held earlier this month before the House Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight concerning the tragic and unconscionable murder in 1997 of Raymond Mc Cord Jr. near Belfast. Please let us know how the AFL-CIO and the U. S. Labor movement can help in securing full justice in this case…[We are] more than willing to make other follow-up efforts to this vital and critical Hearing. [SIGNED] Richard L. Trumpka. President.” Fr. Mc Manus said, “ I was delighted and honored to receive this letter from President Trumpka. He follows the grand AFL-CIO tradition of supporting the work of the Irish National Caucus. Indeed, Labor played a key role in helping me launch the Irish National Caucus, which I founded on February 6, 1974.  On February 18, 1975, the late, great Teddy Gleason hosted a lunch for the Irish National Caucus during the AFL-CIO convention in Bal Harbor. I addressed the 300 labor leaders. After I spoke, Lane Kirkland, then Secretary-Treasurer, spoke on behalf of George Meany and delivered the   Executive Council’s endorsement of the Irish National Caucus”. Raymond Mc Cord Sr., the main witness at the Congressional Hearing, was almost lost for words: “ This show of support by the American Labor Movement is astonishing, ” he said.’’Being a working-class man myself, their support is especially meaningful and deeply appreciated. It will powerfully advance my son’s case.”     Fr. Sean Mc ManusPresident Irish National Caucus Capitol Hill PO BOX 15128 Washington, DC 20003-0849 Tel. 202-544-0568 Fax 202-488-7537 sean@irishnationalcaucus.org