12/20/2022
The AFT wishes all who celebrate a Happy Hanukkah! We hope your holiday is full of love and light.
As the sun begins to set across the country, we wish all who are celebrating a filled with love and light.
Evelyn DeJesus, Executive Vice President for American Federation of Teachers
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Comments
Fantastic message from AFT Officers Randi Weingarten Fedrick Ingram and Evelyn DeJesus,. "Our promise, as a union, is to continue to focus on solutions for the people we represent and the people we serve."
Great turn out at our vaccine clinic/ book giveaway today in McAllen! We had a little over 66 vaccinated in 2.5 hours and gave away 25 backpacks and books for kids!! Thanks to and our amazing, superior leaders Randi Weingarten, Evelyn DeJesus, Executive Vice President for American Federation of Teachers and Zeph Capo for supporting this great effort of getting books onto the hands of every child!!
My sweet Evelyn DeJesus, Executive Vice President for American Federation of Teachers always doing amazing efforts for the community and the people!!!!
Our Jozii Ruiz with AFT - American Federation of Teachers Evelyn DeJesus, Executive Vice President for American Federation of Teachers and Marta Shepard (Hartford Federation of Paraeducators HFP 2221) at the AFT Latino Caucus Guayabera Reception
BHARAT RATNA AND NOBELPRIZE FOR BIJU PATNAIK
AND MARCH 5 International
''Son Of The Soil " Day
Biju Patnaik (5 March 1916 – 17 April 1997) was an Indian politician. Also known as Biju Babu. Son of Lakshminarayan and Ashalata Patnaik, Bijayananda Patnaik was born in Cuttack, Odisha (India) on 5 March 1916.
Biju Patnaik was born on 5 March 1916 to Lakshminarayan and Ashalata Patnaik. His parents belong to Nuagan, Bhanjanagar, Ganjam district, around 80 km from Bramhapur). His father was a notable nationalist and a leading member of the Oriya movement. He had two brothers and one sister. He completed his early education at the Mission Primary School and Mission Christ Collegiate of Cuttack. In 1927, he got into to the Ravenshaw University, where Netaji Subash Chandra Bose once studied. From his college days, he was a talented sportsman and headed the football, hockey, athletics and cricket team of the University. He was the sports champion for continuously three years. He discontinued his studies to take up training as a pilot at the Aeronautic Training Institute of India and the Delhi Flying Club. As a kid, he always was interested in flying. Thus, he became an eminent pilot and a navigator. Biju Patnaik joined the Indian National Airways and became a ace pilot. During 1940-42, when the struggle for independence was going on, he was the chief of the Air Transport Command. Patnaik now has two sons and a daughter. His elder son Prem is an industrialist and the younger son, Naveen is a famous politician and is also the Chief Minister of Orissa. His daughter, Gita Mehta is a well-known novelist and writes on the westernization of India. Biju Patnaik had an inborn love for his native state Orissa and inherited the qualities of heroism and bravery from his parents.
Patnaik flew with private airlines but at the start of the second world war he joined the Royal Indian Air Force eventually becoming head of air transport command. While in service he began an interest in nationalist politics and used air force transports to deliver what was seen as subversive literature to Indian troops. But Patnaik remained committed to fighting the axis powers and when he was jailed for his illegal activities he only served two years in prison. Shortly after independence Pakistani tribesman invaded Kashmir and at Nehrus request he helped airlift the first Indian soldiers into Srinagar.
Bijayananda Patnaik is commonly known as Biju Patnaik. He was a heroic personality and he achieved his name and fame through hard work alone., popularly known as Biju
Patnaik has become a legendary hero in his
life time. He has proved that greatness does
not descend to a man automatically. It is
acquired by hard labour, perseverance and
sacrifice. In a very short period
he has distinguished himself as
an aeronautical engineer,
navigator, an ace pilot,
industrialist, an eminent freedom
fighter and above all a crowning
statesman of national and
international repute. A rare
celebrity indeed ! above all a renowned and outstanding personality. His looked up to Napoleon and thus he followed in his footprints. Biju Patnaik was proficient in inspiring and gaining the confidence of his people. He communicated effectively with the public and had the ability to convey his ideas to them. According to Biju, there are four important things and these are unity of nation, secularism, democracy and imperialism. He, with a strong determination and sacrifice became a great politician and a social activist. He actively participated in the struggle for freedom and thus became the ideal personality for the people of Orissa to look up to. He uttered these lines for the public of Orissa, "In my dream of the 21st century for the State, I would have young men and women who put the interest of the State before them. They will have pride in themselves, confidence in themselves. They will not be at anybody`s mercy, except their own selves. By their brains, intelligence and capacity, they will recapture the history of Kalinga."
Role in Indonesian freedom struggleBiju Patnaik came in contact with Nehru during his participation in Indian freedom struggle. He became one of his trusted friends. Nehru was sympathetic to the freedom struggle of the Indonesian people who had traditional links with Indian sub-continent from the ancient days. Indonesia was under Dutch rule from 1816 to 1941 when it was occupied by the Japanese. The Indonesian freedom fighters declared the independence of Indonesia on 17 August 1945 two days after the Japanese collapse in the Second World War. The Dutch tried to regain control over these territories and started fomenting trouble for the new Government. The new Government under Dr. Sukarno as President, launched a vigorous propaganda activity to gain support for their cause. Dr. Sjahrir who became Prime Minister of Indonesia on 14 November 1945 was a trusted lieutenant of Dr. Sukarno. He also became friendly with Nehru who was at that time the Foreign Minister and the leader of the Interim Government of India. In July 1946, Government of Indonesia concluded an agreement with India Government to supply 40,00,000 tonnes of rice in exchange of textile, agricultural implements, tyres and other goods which India would send to Indonesia for her economic rehabilitation.
On 23 March 1947 Nehru called 22 Asian countries for First Inter-Asia Conference to which Sjahrir was specially invited. He addressed the conference after concluding the agreement with Dutch on 25 March. The Dutch continued to foment trouble on one pretext or the other. Finally they launched a large scale attack on Indonesia on 21 July 1947. Immediately President Sukarno consulted Sjahrir and ordered him to leave the country to create international public opinion against the Dutch and also persuade the friendly countries to raise the issue before the UNO. He tried to come out but could not succeed as the Dutch had absolute control over Indonesian sea and air routes. He was also under surveillance.
Nehru came to his help at this critical juncture. He entrusted this task to Biju Patnaik, who was an expert Pilot and was famous for his passion for adventurous achievements. Biju Patnaik sprang up to instant action. As an avid reader of the history of Kalinga, Biju knew how Kalinga and Indonesia had a long-standing cultural link in the past and the opportunity now at hand to render some service to the people of Indonesia at their crucial hour of need should never be lost sight of. He braved all hazards. He flew to Java and brought Sultan Sjahrir aboard from Java islands on 22 July 1947 using a Dakota and reached India via Singapore on 24 July. Sjahrir was successful in his mission at last. For his act of bravery Patnaik was given honorary citizenship of Indonesia and awarded
''Son Of The Soil'', the highest Indonesian award and a rare distinction ever granted to a foreigner.
Politics in independent IndiaPatnaik's political ideals were centred in socialism and federalism. His strong advocacy for equal resources to all Indian states who needed such, made him a champion of his Oriya constituents.
In 1946 Patnaik was elected uncontested to the Orissa Legislative Assembly from North Cuttack constituency. In 1952 and 1957 he won from Jagannath Prasad and Soroda, respectively. In 1961 he assumed the presidency of the state Congress. Under his leadership, the Congress Party won 82 of 140 seats and Patnaik (representing Chowdwar constituency) became the chief minister of Orissa on 23 June 1961 and remained in the position until 2 October 1963 when he resigned from the post under the Kamraj plan to revitalise the Congress party. He was the chief minister of Orissa at the age of 45.
Patnaik was close to Indira Gandhi who took over the Congress Party in 1967. However, they clashed in 1969 over the Presidential election. He left the Congress and formed a regional party—the Utkal Congress. In the 1971 assembly poll, his party did reasonably well. Patnaik then re-established contact with his old friend Jayaprakash Narayan and plunged into the JP movement as it picked up momentum in 1974. When the Emergency was declared in 1975, Biju Patnaik was one of the first to be arrested along with other opposition leaders.
He was released in 1977. Later, in the same year, he was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time from Kendrapara and became Union minister for steel and mines in both the Morarji Desai and the Charan Singh governments until 1979. He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha again in 1980 and 1984 from Kendrapara as Janata Party candidate despite the Congress wave in 1984 following Indira Gandhi's death. With the Congress defeat in 1989, he bounced back into the political limelight. However, after playing a key behind-the-scenes role in manoeuvring V P Singh to the prime minister's post, he again chose to go back to Orissa, and prepared for the assembly election. In 1990 state assembly election, the Janata Dal received a thumping majority (two third assembly seats) which saw Biju Patnaik being the chief minister of Orissa for the second time until 1995.
He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996 from Cuttack and Aska constituencies as a Janata Dal candidate. He retained the latter until his death on 17 April 1997 of cardio-respiratory failure.
In 1992, Bijayananda Patnaik left this quote for the people of Orissa;
"In my dream of the 21st century for the State, I would have young men and women who put the interest of the State before them. They will have pride in themselves, confidence in themselves. They will not be at anybody’s mercy, except their own selves. By their brains, intelligence and capacity, they will recapture the history of Kalinga."
Achievements as a public representativeBiju Patnaik set up Kalinga tubes, Kalinga Airways, Kalinga Iron work, Kalinga Refractories and the Kalinga, a daily Oriya Newspaper. In 1951 he established the international Kalinga Prize for popularisation of Science and Technology among the people and entrusted the responsibility to the UNESCO. The projects which he was known to have spearheaded include the Hirakud Dam, Port of Paradip, Orissa aviation centre, Bhubaneswar Airport, the Cuttack-Jagatpur Mahanadi highway bridge, Regional Engineering College, Rourkela, Sainik School Bhubaneswar, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology Bhubaneswar,NALCO(National Aluminum Company, Rourkela Steel Plant and the Choudwar and Barbil industrial belts.
He also established the Kalinga Cup in foot ball.
FamilyBiju Patnaik was married to Gyan Patnaik. Biju Patnaik's son, Naveen Patnaik, is the current Chief Minister of Orissa. His daughter, Gita Mehta, is an English writer. His elder son Prem Patnaik is a Delhi based industrialist.
[Popular incidents and quotesParadeep Port Patnaik was keen to build the port at Paradeep. When the Central government refused to give funds to build the Paradeep port, he said: To hell with the Government of India. I will build the port with state government and my own money. And he spent Rs 1.60 billion on it. Later, of course, Nehru sanctioned funds for the project. Today that is Orissa's most prominent port.
'Nehru and Patnaik Nehru Patnaik "India's buccaneer". When Nehru was criticised in the Parliament for his decision to provide more aid to Orissa Nehru replied, '"Biju Patnaik has the courage, dynamism and zeal to work. So there is no blunder in giving more aid to Orissa." During the Chinese aggression of 1962 and the subsequent crisis, Nehru consulted the Oriya leader repeatedly for advice. For sometime he was Nehru's defence advisor, unofficially of course. 'The prime minister was dazzled by Mr Patnaik's familiarity with military subjects,' wrote a political commentator of the time.
Anti Corruption stand To fight against corruption he once proclaimed 'beat up all corrupt officials'. Although his government failed to control and defeat corruption
On death When a journalist asked him on his 79th birthday how he would like to die, he had quipped, 'certainly not in an air crash or from prolonged illness. I would like to die instantly, just fall down and die'.
'On Orissa and for Oriyas 'To be born poor is not a crime but to remain so is indeed a crime'. 'Be loyal not to me but to the destiny of the State'. 'Orissa is a rich state where poor people live'. 'Be a pride to your State and not a shame'.
Memoir
The government of Orissa has named several institutions after the name of Biju Patnaik. They include the Biju Patnaik airport at Bhubaneswar, the Biju Patnaik University of Technology, etc.Also his son Navin Patanaik made his birthday march 5 as the Panchayat Raj Divas, a holiday in Orissa in his memory. Legacy
In Orissa, there are various institutions named after Biju. One of these institutes includes the Biju Patnaik University of Technology. The airport of Bhubaneswar is also named as Biju Patnaik Airport. Biju's son Naveen Patnaik declared 5th March, his father's birthday, as Panchayati Raj Divas. This day is an acknowledged holiday in Orissa.
Timeline
1916: Born in Cuttack
1927: Studied at RavenshawUniversity
1940-42: Serves as Chief of the Air Transport Command
1941: Rescued British people when Japan occupied Myanmar
1943: Sent to the jail during Quit India Movement
1946: Elected to the Orissa Assembly
1952: Established the Kalinga Foundation Trust
1961-63: Became the Chief Minister of Orissa
1975: Is imprisoned
1977: Released from jail and elected as the member of the Lok Sabha
1977-79: Is made the Union Minister for Steel and Mines
1980: Became a member of the Lok Sabha
1990-95: Becomes the Chief Minister of Orissa
1996: Re-elected to the Lok Sabha
1997: Died of cardio-respiratory failure
AND MARCH 5 International
''Son Of The Soil " Day
Biju Patnaik (5 March 1916 – 17 April 1997) was an Indian politician. Also known as Biju Babu. Son of Lakshminarayan and Ashalata Patnaik, Bijayananda Patnaik was born in Cuttack, Odisha (India) on 5 March 1916.
Biju Patnaik was born on 5 March 1916 to Lakshminarayan and Ashalata Patnaik. His parents belong to Nuagan, Bhanjanagar, Ganjam district, around 80 km from Bramhapur). His father was a notable nationalist and a leading member of the Oriya movement. He had two brothers and one sister. He completed his early education at the Mission Primary School and Mission Christ Collegiate of Cuttack. In 1927, he got into to the Ravenshaw University, where Netaji Subash Chandra Bose once studied. From his college days, he was a talented sportsman and headed the football, hockey, athletics and cricket team of the University. He was the sports champion for continuously three years. He discontinued his studies to take up training as a pilot at the Aeronautic Training Institute of India and the Delhi Flying Club. As a kid, he always was interested in flying. Thus, he became an eminent pilot and a navigator. Biju Patnaik joined the Indian National Airways and became a ace pilot. During 1940-42, when the struggle for independence was going on, he was the chief of the Air Transport Command. Patnaik now has two sons and a daughter. His elder son Prem is an industrialist and the younger son, Naveen is a famous politician and is also the Chief Minister of Orissa. His daughter, Gita Mehta is a well-known novelist and writes on the westernization of India. Biju Patnaik had an inborn love for his native state Orissa and inherited the qualities of heroism and bravery from his parents.
Patnaik flew with private airlines but at the start of the second world war he joined the Royal Indian Air Force eventually becoming head of air transport command. While in service he began an interest in nationalist politics and used air force transports to deliver what was seen as subversive literature to Indian troops. But Patnaik remained committed to fighting the axis powers and when he was jailed for his illegal activities he only served two years in prison. Shortly after independence Pakistani tribesman invaded Kashmir and at Nehrus request he helped airlift the first Indian soldiers into Srinagar.
Bijayananda Patnaik is commonly known as Biju Patnaik. He was a heroic personality and he achieved his name and fame through hard work alone., popularly known as Biju
Patnaik has become a legendary hero in his
life time. He has proved that greatness does
not descend to a man automatically. It is
acquired by hard labour, perseverance and
sacrifice. In a very short period
he has distinguished himself as
an aeronautical engineer,
navigator, an ace pilot,
industrialist, an eminent freedom
fighter and above all a crowning
statesman of national and
international repute. A rare
celebrity indeed ! above all a renowned and outstanding personality. His looked up to Napoleon and thus he followed in his footprints. Biju Patnaik was proficient in inspiring and gaining the confidence of his people. He communicated effectively with the public and had the ability to convey his ideas to them. According to Biju, there are four important things and these are unity of nation, secularism, democracy and imperialism. He, with a strong determination and sacrifice became a great politician and a social activist. He actively participated in the struggle for freedom and thus became the ideal personality for the people of Orissa to look up to. He uttered these lines for the public of Orissa, "In my dream of the 21st century for the State, I would have young men and women who put the interest of the State before them. They will have pride in themselves, confidence in themselves. They will not be at anybody`s mercy, except their own selves. By their brains, intelligence and capacity, they will recapture the history of Kalinga."
Role in Indonesian freedom struggleBiju Patnaik came in contact with Nehru during his participation in Indian freedom struggle. He became one of his trusted friends. Nehru was sympathetic to the freedom struggle of the Indonesian people who had traditional links with Indian sub-continent from the ancient days. Indonesia was under Dutch rule from 1816 to 1941 when it was occupied by the Japanese. The Indonesian freedom fighters declared the independence of Indonesia on 17 August 1945 two days after the Japanese collapse in the Second World War. The Dutch tried to regain control over these territories and started fomenting trouble for the new Government. The new Government under Dr. Sukarno as President, launched a vigorous propaganda activity to gain support for their cause. Dr. Sjahrir who became Prime Minister of Indonesia on 14 November 1945 was a trusted lieutenant of Dr. Sukarno. He also became friendly with Nehru who was at that time the Foreign Minister and the leader of the Interim Government of India. In July 1946, Government of Indonesia concluded an agreement with India Government to supply 40,00,000 tonnes of rice in exchange of textile, agricultural implements, tyres and other goods which India would send to Indonesia for her economic rehabilitation.
On 23 March 1947 Nehru called 22 Asian countries for First Inter-Asia Conference to which Sjahrir was specially invited. He addressed the conference after concluding the agreement with Dutch on 25 March. The Dutch continued to foment trouble on one pretext or the other. Finally they launched a large scale attack on Indonesia on 21 July 1947. Immediately President Sukarno consulted Sjahrir and ordered him to leave the country to create international public opinion against the Dutch and also persuade the friendly countries to raise the issue before the UNO. He tried to come out but could not succeed as the Dutch had absolute control over Indonesian sea and air routes. He was also under surveillance.
Nehru came to his help at this critical juncture. He entrusted this task to Biju Patnaik, who was an expert Pilot and was famous for his passion for adventurous achievements. Biju Patnaik sprang up to instant action. As an avid reader of the history of Kalinga, Biju knew how Kalinga and Indonesia had a long-standing cultural link in the past and the opportunity now at hand to render some service to the people of Indonesia at their crucial hour of need should never be lost sight of. He braved all hazards. He flew to Java and brought Sultan Sjahrir aboard from Java islands on 22 July 1947 using a Dakota and reached India via Singapore on 24 July. Sjahrir was successful in his mission at last. For his act of bravery Patnaik was given honorary citizenship of Indonesia and awarded
''Son Of The Soil'', the highest Indonesian award and a rare distinction ever granted to a foreigner.
Politics in independent IndiaPatnaik's political ideals were centred in socialism and federalism. His strong advocacy for equal resources to all Indian states who needed such, made him a champion of his Oriya constituents.
In 1946 Patnaik was elected uncontested to the Orissa Legislative Assembly from North Cuttack constituency. In 1952 and 1957 he won from Jagannath Prasad and Soroda, respectively. In 1961 he assumed the presidency of the state Congress. Under his leadership, the Congress Party won 82 of 140 seats and Patnaik (representing Chowdwar constituency) became the chief minister of Orissa on 23 June 1961 and remained in the position until 2 October 1963 when he resigned from the post under the Kamraj plan to revitalise the Congress party. He was the chief minister of Orissa at the age of 45.
Patnaik was close to Indira Gandhi who took over the Congress Party in 1967. However, they clashed in 1969 over the Presidential election. He left the Congress and formed a regional party—the Utkal Congress. In the 1971 assembly poll, his party did reasonably well. Patnaik then re-established contact with his old friend Jayaprakash Narayan and plunged into the JP movement as it picked up momentum in 1974. When the Emergency was declared in 1975, Biju Patnaik was one of the first to be arrested along with other opposition leaders.
He was released in 1977. Later, in the same year, he was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time from Kendrapara and became Union minister for steel and mines in both the Morarji Desai and the Charan Singh governments until 1979. He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha again in 1980 and 1984 from Kendrapara as Janata Party candidate despite the Congress wave in 1984 following Indira Gandhi's death. With the Congress defeat in 1989, he bounced back into the political limelight. However, after playing a key behind-the-scenes role in manoeuvring V P Singh to the prime minister's post, he again chose to go back to Orissa, and prepared for the assembly election. In 1990 state assembly election, the Janata Dal received a thumping majority (two third assembly seats) which saw Biju Patnaik being the chief minister of Orissa for the second time until 1995.
He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996 from Cuttack and Aska constituencies as a Janata Dal candidate. He retained the latter until his death on 17 April 1997 of cardio-respiratory failure.
In 1992, Bijayananda Patnaik left this quote for the people of Orissa;
"In my dream of the 21st century for the State, I would have young men and women who put the interest of the State before them. They will have pride in themselves, confidence in themselves. They will not be at anybody’s mercy, except their own selves. By their brains, intelligence and capacity, they will recapture the history of Kalinga."
Achievements as a public representativeBiju Patnaik set up Kalinga tubes, Kalinga Airways, Kalinga Iron work, Kalinga Refractories and the Kalinga, a daily Oriya Newspaper. In 1951 he established the international Kalinga Prize for popularisation of Science and Technology among the people and entrusted the responsibility to the UNESCO. The projects which he was known to have spearheaded include the Hirakud Dam, Port of Paradip, Orissa aviation centre, Bhubaneswar Airport, the Cuttack-Jagatpur Mahanadi highway bridge, Regional Engineering College, Rourkela, Sainik School Bhubaneswar, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology Bhubaneswar,NALCO(National Aluminum Company, Rourkela Steel Plant and the Choudwar and Barbil industrial belts.
He also established the Kalinga Cup in foot ball.
FamilyBiju Patnaik was married to Gyan Patnaik. Biju Patnaik's son, Naveen Patnaik, is the current Chief Minister of Orissa. His daughter, Gita Mehta, is an English writer. His elder son Prem Patnaik is a Delhi based industrialist.
[Popular incidents and quotesParadeep Port Patnaik was keen to build the port at Paradeep. When the Central government refused to give funds to build the Paradeep port, he said: To hell with the Government of India. I will build the port with state government and my own money. And he spent Rs 1.60 billion on it. Later, of course, Nehru sanctioned funds for the project. Today that is Orissa's most prominent port.
'Nehru and Patnaik Nehru Patnaik "India's buccaneer". When Nehru was criticised in the Parliament for his decision to provide more aid to Orissa Nehru replied, '"Biju Patnaik has the courage, dynamism and zeal to work. So there is no blunder in giving more aid to Orissa." During the Chinese aggression of 1962 and the subsequent crisis, Nehru consulted the Oriya leader repeatedly for advice. For sometime he was Nehru's defence advisor, unofficially of course. 'The prime minister was dazzled by Mr Patnaik's familiarity with military subjects,' wrote a political commentator of the time.
Anti Corruption stand To fight against corruption he once proclaimed 'beat up all corrupt officials'. Although his government failed to control and defeat corruption
On death When a journalist asked him on his 79th birthday how he would like to die, he had quipped, 'certainly not in an air crash or from prolonged illness. I would like to die instantly, just fall down and die'.
'On Orissa and for Oriyas 'To be born poor is not a crime but to remain so is indeed a crime'. 'Be loyal not to me but to the destiny of the State'. 'Orissa is a rich state where poor people live'. 'Be a pride to your State and not a shame'.
Memoir
The government of Orissa has named several institutions after the name of Biju Patnaik. They include the Biju Patnaik airport at Bhubaneswar, the Biju Patnaik University of Technology, etc.Also his son Navin Patanaik made his birthday march 5 as the Panchayat Raj Divas, a holiday in Orissa in his memory. Legacy
In Orissa, there are various institutions named after Biju. One of these institutes includes the Biju Patnaik University of Technology. The airport of Bhubaneswar is also named as Biju Patnaik Airport. Biju's son Naveen Patnaik declared 5th March, his father's birthday, as Panchayati Raj Divas. This day is an acknowledged holiday in Orissa.
Timeline
1916: Born in Cuttack
1927: Studied at RavenshawUniversity
1940-42: Serves as Chief of the Air Transport Command
1941: Rescued British people when Japan occupied Myanmar
1943: Sent to the jail during Quit India Movement
1946: Elected to the Orissa Assembly
1952: Established the Kalinga Foundation Trust
1961-63: Became the Chief Minister of Orissa
1975: Is imprisoned
1977: Released from jail and elected as the member of the Lok Sabha
1977-79: Is made the Union Minister for Steel and Mines
1980: Became a member of the Lok Sabha
1990-95: Becomes the Chief Minister of Orissa
1996: Re-elected to the Lok Sabha
1997: Died of cardio-respiratory failure
https://www.aft.org/about/leadership/evelyn-dejesus
Operating as usual
12/20/2022
12/20/2022
The AFL-CIO goes to war with Meta
AFT President Randi Weingarten is among a coalition seeking an independent review of Meta’s audit and risk oversight committee, Politico reports. Meta, which is the parent company that owns Facebook, Instagram and other social platforms, has been linked to harmful content, specifically on Facebook. “The bottom line is: The platform has hurt kids, has fueled lies, and it's put our democracy at risk,” Weingarten says, “and Zuckerberg doesn't want to do anything about it.” The share price for Meta has fallen by more than half in the last year, she notes. “I would have thought … losing all that value would have forced Meta to do something different, but it hasn't.” Click through to read the full article.
The AFL-CIO goes to war with Meta A small Napa Valley investment shop has enlisted a powerful political ally in its battle for corporate reforms at Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta.
12/20/2022
Reading opens the world
AFT President Randi Weingarten has a new column in the New York Times about the AFT’s successful distribution of 1 million books this year to children, families and educators through our Reading Opens the World campaign, and our commitment to give away another 1 million in the coming year. “Amid an alarming rise in efforts to ban and censor books, we are giving away books that are both mirrors and windows—titles that reflect students’ own identities and experiences, introduce them to the experiences of others, and inspire them with compelling stories and characters,” Weingarten writes. “Our goal is for students to love to read and to read well.” Click through to read the full column.
Reading opens the world In this season of miracles for many faith traditions, Veronica Rubio, a middle school librarian in Pico Rivera, Calif., felt like she was experiencing a miracle of her own as she selected free books for her students—young adult fiction, Spanish language titles and Star Wars-themed books—at an AF...
12/12/2022
After successfully distributing 1 million books to students and teachers during the year, the AFT announced over the weekend plans to distribute an additional 1 million books through the multiyear Reading Opens the World campaign to create a nation of confident and joyful readers. “Reading is foundational,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten in the press release. “It is necessary for virtually everything we do—and for experiencing the joy of a great book. When children see themselves in books, they feel seen, welcomed and loved. When children are introduced to others in books, they experience the wonder of new ideas. Books bring joy—and they really do open the world. That’s why as others are banning books and denigrating educators, teachers and their unions are continuing our efforts to create a nation of joyful and confident readers.” Click through to read the entire press release.
Our campaign has surpassed 1 million book giveaway goal and we are committing to another million in 2023 to promote student literacy.
Read the statement from AFT President Randi Weingarten here: https://www.aft.org/press-release/aft-surpasses-1-million-book-giveaway-goal-commits-another-million-new-year-promote
12/08/2022
AFT in Solidarity with Ukraine
Please join us today, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern, along with AFT President Randi Weingarten, co-founder of the Ukraine Children’s Action Project Dr. Irwin Redlener and bilingual special education teacher Alexandra Hernandez, for an important conversation about the AFT’s continued solidarity with Ukraine. Click through to register.
AFT in Solidarity with Ukraine AFT in Solidarity with Ukraine
12/08/2022
AFT in Solidarity with Ukraine
Please join us today, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern, along with AFT President Randi Weingarten, co-founder of the Ukraine Children’s Action Project Dr. Irwin Redlener and bilingual special education teacher Alexandra Hernandez, for an important conversation about the AFT’s continued solidarity with Ukraine. Click through to register.
AFT in Solidarity with Ukraine AFT in Solidarity with Ukraine
12/08/2022
Florida faculty fight grave threat to tenure, academic freedom
Tenure is on the chopping block in Florida, and faculty are fighting mightily to sn**ch it back to safety. From a tenure review proposal to a law that restricts how faculty can teach about systemic racism and gender discrimination, the threat to academia is “unprecedented,” says United Faculty of Florida President Andrew Gothard. Here’s what union members are doing to fight back.
Florida faculty fight grave threat to tenure, academic freedom Tenure is on the chopping block in Florida, and faculty are fighting mightily to sn**ch it back to safety. From a tenure review proposal to a law that restricts how faculty can teach about systemic racism and gender discrimination, the threat to academia is “unprecedented,” says United Faculty o...
12/08/2022
Gratitude
AFT President Randi Weingarten is mentioned among the national and local union leaders whose get-out-the-vote efforts made the difference during the 2022 midterm elections. This Daily Kos article, which is about the state of Wisconsin specifically, notes that the labor movement is an instrumental partner to the Democratic Party. “We were lucky to be visited in Wisconsin by national labor leaders including Liz Shuler, Sara Nelson, Becky Pringle, Randi Weingarten, Lonnie Stephenson, Kim Anderson, Mary Kay Henry, and Sean O’Brien—among many others,” it says in the article. “The union makes us strong.” Click through to read the full piece.
Gratitude It’s been 28 days since Tuesday, November 8—and 12 days since Thanksgiving. With each passing day, it’s even more clear that, together, we did something enormous in Wisconsin: ensured democracy’s survival. This post is a massive, heartfelt *thank you.*...
12/07/2022
The Adequacy and Fairness of State School Finance Systems 2023
Today, the Albert Shanker Institute, in cooperation with researchers at the University of Miami and Rutgers University, released the fifth edition of “The Adequacy and Fairness of State School Finance Systems.” In this report, these researchers evaluate the K-12 finance systems of all 50 states and the District of Columbia using a small set of rigorous but accessible measures focused on whether spending is adequate to achieve common student outcome goals, whether adequacy varies by district poverty, and the degree to which states devote enough of their economies to meet their students’ needs. The latest year of data presented pertains to the 2019-20 school year, but the authors examine trends in the measures going back 10 to15 years. The report is also accompanied by one-page profiles for each state presenting its key results, as well as online data visualizations, full datasets to download, and more.
The Adequacy and Fairness of State School Finance Systems 2023 An evaluation of the K-12 school finance systems of all 50 states and D.C.
12/07/2022
Winter 2022-2023 | American Federation of Teachers
In the latest issue of American Educator, eight educators from across the country share why they are unifying to end gun violence. Plus, language and literacy experts explain the importance of valuing Black students’ language and culture, and a cognitive psychologist explores the impact of a growth mindset on student learning. Also in this issue: a history professor explores AFT’s record of advocating for paraprofessional-to-teacher pathways, and instigators of Philadelphia’s new para-to-teacher program describe how it advances paraprofessionals’ careers and deepens schools’ connections with students and communities.
Winter 2022-2023 | American Federation of Teachers Articles may be reproduced for noncommercial personal or educational use only; additional permission is required for any other purpose. For copies of articles not posted online, please email us at [email protected].
12/07/2022
Rutgers workers rally for fair contract, conditions | Video | NJ Spotlight News
Graduate workers at Rutgers University are trying to negotiate a new agreement after their most recent contract expired at the end of June 2022. “It’s extremely frustrating especially given all the work grad students do. We teach classes. We are doing cutting-edge research. We mentor students. We do all the things that make Rutgers the institution that it is,” says Rutgers AAUP-AFT Vice President Liana Katz. “And we’re not compensated in a way that reflects what we do,” adding that it’s not possible for graduate workers to live in that area without having to take on multiple jobs to support themselves and their families.
Rutgers workers rally for fair contract, conditions | Video | NJ Spotlight News A spokesperson for the university said it continues to negotiate in good faith
12/06/2022
Retiree finds activism is time well spent
Joyce Reinoso’s union activism increased after she retired. The former first-grade teacher says, “Once I retired, I was determined I wasn’t going to spend the rest of my life sitting around my house.” When Reinoso received an invitation to her chapter’s New Retiree Luncheon in 2015, she was determined to go even though she didn’t know anyone. Today, she is the vice president for membership of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Retiree Chapter and co-chair of the political action committee. She is also a member of the AFTerburners, a team of AFT retirees who focus on political activism and member outreach.
Retiree finds activism is time well spent Joyce Reinoso’s union activism grew exponentially after retirement. “Once I retired, I was determined I wasn’t going to spend the rest of…
12/06/2022
AFT President Randi Weingarten, Washington State Nurses Association Executive Director David Keepnews and Anne Goldman Mourn Loss of Home Healthcare Worker Murdered on the Job, Call for OSHA Standard on Workplace Violence Prevention
AFT President Randi Weingarten, David Keepnews of the Washington State Nurses Association and Anne Goldman of the United Federation of Teachers issued a statement mourning the loss of healthcare worker Douglas Brant, who was murdered on the job by one of his patient’s family members. The union leaders also called for an Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard on workplace violence prevention. “Whether our frontline workers are caring for patients in their homes or in a hospital or clinic setting, they must not be left vulnerable with no federal, enforceable standards requiring comprehensive policies to prevent further tragedies,” Weingarten stated. Click through to read the full statement.
AFT President Randi Weingarten, Washington State Nurses Association Executive Director David Keepnews and Anne Goldman Mourn Loss of Home Healthcare Worker Murdered on the Job, Call for OSHA Standard on Workplace Violence Prevention WASHINGTON—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Washington State Nurses Association Executive Director David Keepnews and United Federation of Teachers Vice President for non-Department of Education members Anne Goldman issued the following statement mourning the loss of Dou...
12/06/2022
New report shows the national teacher shortage has only gotten worse since the pandemic
A new report from the Economic Policy Institute confirms that the teacher shortage has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The report found that “A lack of sufficient, qualified teachers reduces teachers’ effectiveness and threatens students’ ability to learn, undermining the education system’s ability to provide a sound education equitably to all children.” Click through to read the report.
New report shows the national teacher shortage has only gotten worse since the pandemic A new Economic Policy Institute report documents the size and scope of the long-standing teacher shortage in the United States, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic. The data show that the teacher shortage is both widespread and especially severe in schools with high shares of students of colo...
12/06/2022
Congratulations to AFT President Randi Weingarten on receiving the J Street Tzedek V'Shalom Award.
12/05/2022
Making a case for resilient HBCUs
AFT Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick Ingram writes about the success of historically black colleges and universities despite a pandemic that has been hard on everyone, especially Black communities. “Interestingly, historically Black colleges and universities not only weathered the storm but saw admissions jump 2.5%,” Ingram writes. “The New York Times reported this summer that applications to HBCUs rose 30% between 2018 and 2021, and 40,000 applications are expected to be submitted this year—four times that of 2016.” Ingram makes the case that more funding and respect should be given to HBCUs, as an important—and thriving—part of American society. Click through to read the full op-ed.
Making a case for resilient HBCUs The last two years have been hard for everyone.
12/05/2022
AFT’s Weingarten on Donald Trump’s Unhinged Call to Suspend the U.S. Constitution
AFT President Randi Weingarten issued a statement after former President Donald Trump demanded the termination of the United States Constitution to annul the results of the 2020 election and return himself to power. “The president takes an oath of office to ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,’” Weingarten says in the statement. “Every president, including Trump, has sworn the oath upon taking office. His call to disavow it is the musing of a power-hungry autocrat whose complete disregard for the rule of law should terrify every one of us.” Click through to read the full press statement.
AFT’s Weingarten on Donald Trump’s Unhinged Call to Suspend the U.S. Constitution WASHINGTON—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after former President Donald Trump demanded the termination of the United States Constitution to annul the results of the 2020 election and return himself to power: “Donald Trump is a danger to ...
12/05/2022
Randi Weingarten: Debate? No, Mike Pompeo, tour a school with me and see what teachers really do
AFT President Randi Weingarten penned an op-ed in the New York Post in response to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling her “the most dangerous person in the world” (later downgraded to most dangerous in the country) and calling the work that teachers do “filth” and “propaganda.” “Our teachers give their all for their students, showing up every day for their kids, partnering with parents and helping the next generation fulfill their dreams,” Weingarten writes. She insists that “teachers will not be a prop for his pathetic presidential ambitions. Instead, we’ll be doing the serious work of helping our nation’s kids, families and communities recover and thrive.” Click through to read the full piece.
Randi Weingarten: Debate? No, Mike Pompeo, tour a school with me and see what teachers really do American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten is inviting former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to visit a public school after calling her the “most dangerous person in America.&…
11/29/2022
Amazing things happen when we work together president Wayne Spence, Darlene Williams, Executive Director of the Justice Center & for the New York State Office of Mental Health Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan joined forces to bring the joy of reading to students and staff at the Sagamore Psychiatric Facility in Long Island, NY as part of the campaign📚💙🎄
11/24/2022
Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias🦃 🍽 🍁
11/24/2022
Happy Thanksgiving 🍁🦃🍽
11/21/2022
AFT President Randi Weingarten Calls Colorado and New Mexico Shootings Tragic, Renews Call to Action on Gun Safety
Hatred and guns are a toxic combination. We must get weapons of war out of our communities and off our streets and protect our most vulnerable so they can feel safe and live free from the never-ending threat of gun violence.
AFT President Randi Weingarten Calls Colorado and New Mexico Shootings Tragic, Renews Call to Action on Gun Safety WASHINGTON—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the follow statement after shootings at an LGBTQIA+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colo., left five dead and 25 injured, and at the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque that killed one student and injured another:
11/18/2022
Gobernador Pierluisi on Twitter
Glad was able to testify before Congress. In addition to disaster relief, there here must be continued support for Medicaid funding for PR and the territories.
Gobernador Pierluisi on Twitter “Puerto Ricans are American citizens and our claims before Congress are for equal treatment. ”
11/18/2022
Teaching About Tribal Sovereignty and the U.S. Constitution
Tribal nations predate the U.S. Constitution, and states are increasingly recognizing the importance of teaching about their historic and contemporary contributions. Join the Albert Shanker Institute and Share My Lesson for an engaging session with experts to help you understand the role of tribal sovereignty in the Constitution. This free webinar will be held tonight, 6:30-8 p.m. EST, and is eligible for 1.5 hours of professional development credit. It is part of this fall’s AFT webinar series, A More United America: Teaching Democratic Principles and Protected Freedoms. All sessions will be available on demand. Help us spread the word.
Teaching About Tribal Sovereignty and the U.S. Constitution Tribal Nations pre-date the U.S. Constitution and increasingly state standards are specifically recognizing the importance of teaching about the historic and contemporary contributions of tribal nations. And so, it is important to understand the role of tribal sovereignty in the United States and ou...
11/17/2022
Burnout, staffing shortages persist among health care workers
The AFT’s Healthcare Staffing Shortage Task Force has released a new report that shows how the staffing shortage in healthcare is weighing heavily on primary care physicians, nurses and other medical workers. The AFT represents 200,000 healthcare workers, nationwide—workers who have been on the front lines of the pandemic. The impacts of this crisis on healthcare workers range from moral injury to burnout to leaving the profession. Click through to read the full article and view the report and its findings.
Burnout, staffing shortages persist among health care workers New reports from the Commonwealth Fund and a major health care workers union shows the impacts of burnout post-pandemic on health care workers.
11/17/2022
AFT Donates $75,000 to Help Puerto Rico Schools
It was an honor to present a $75,000 check from the AFT to our Puerto Rico local AMPR to provide financial assistance to educators who continue to be severely impacted by natural disasters, including Hurricane Fiona. This donation will provide a lifeline and help our children and teachers giving their all to assist the island in its recovery. This is what it means to be in a union, and we have a responsibility to lift each and every community up when they are struggling. https://fb.watch/gScYI3gK1D/
11/15/2022
Haitian educators ensure everyone can ‘read with joy’
Reading is fundamental. We all know that. But when the focus on English-only literacy excludes families whose first language is, say, Haitian Creole, reading becomes out of reach. To remedy that, the Boston Teachers Union’s Haitian Educators Committee is finding new ways to support the children in their community with dual language teaching and books, holding workshops to provide Haitian families with information about the benefits of learning in two languages, skills for supporting their children’s literacy development and other resources. Families are responding enthusiastically.
Haitian educators ensure everyone can ‘read with joy’ Reading is fundamental. We all know that. But when the focus on English-only literacy excludes families whose first language is, say, Haitian Creole, reading becomes out of reach. To remedy that, the Boston Teachers Union’s Haitian Educators Committee is finding new ways to support the children in...
11/15/2022
Thank You from AFT
In a year when democracy, freedom, public education, public safety and economic security were on the ballot, voters like you overwhelmingly stood up for the rights, freedoms and democratic institutions that give our country meaning and hope for the future. The results were historic. Thanks to AFT members and activists for volunteering, getting out the vote and voting!
11/15/2022
Randi in St. Louis
In wake of the recent school shooting in St. Louis, AFT President Randi Weingarten says we must implement both short-term and long-term solutions to help the school community and address gun violence. “Long term, there needs to be changes in the law; red-flag laws really work, and they would have worked here,” Weingarten says. And in the short term, Weingarten says, we can “get more guidance counselors into both of these schools immediately and have that commitment through the end of the year,” and we can “make sure that the safety changes that need to happen—including having security and having the changes to the doors and windows and all of that—happen as quickly as possible.” Click through to watch the full video.
11/12/2022
We Care, We Fight, & We Show-up! Today, sponsored a Community Service Day at the Conference in Puerto Rico. The theme this year ~ Neighbors, Helping Neighbors! Union leaders and members came together to clean and paint Escuela Antonio Serratin. 🇵🇷 SEIU
11/11/2022
11/10/2022
11/07/2022
#AFTvotes: Cast Your Ballot
Our voice is our vote – and our vote is how we choose a future that works for all of us. Great message from on the importance of voting in this election. https://www.facebook.com/randi.weingarten.9/posts/pfbid02ADJN1soXUc7QUrwssCs78Xtv9Zffo5nAvnK6N1aoAKcVZryXUqzgTmr8MFGT9jhPl
11/06/2022
on the move in Allentown, Reading & Philadelphia this weekend for multiple events. Urging our members and community leaders to this elections and speaking on the importance of the this election. We brought hope and love through our campaign. Thank you to our partners , &
11/05/2022
on the move all day today from Philly to Allentown to Reading- PA participating in events because our DEMOCRACY, our FREEDOM, our PUBLIC EDUCATION and our RIGHTS are on the ballot.
11/04/2022
The 2022 midterm elections are less than a week away, and teaching honest history is on the ballot. As the right bans books and passes laws forbidding the teaching of accurate history, the AFT has committed to giving away 1 million free books. Ensuring our kids get a complete and truthful education is one of many reasons to vote. If you need more information on the elections, visit AFTvotes.org. To share this graphic about this important reason to vote, click through.
Happy Halloween! You know what's really scary? Laws that forbid the teaching of history the way that it happened.
11/04/2022
Opinion: The culture wars have come to the classroom. Now what? | CNN
In an op-ed for CNN, AFT President Randi Weingarten and Denise Forte, interim CEO at The Education Trust, write, “More than 200,000 children in the United States are grieving the loss of at least one parent to COVID-19. The economic fallout of the pandemic exacerbated food and housing insecurity. People were, and still are, stressed and scared.” Click through to see how Weingarten and Forte propose we fix what COVID-19 has broken.
Opinion: The culture wars have come to the classroom. Now what? | CNN In this latest installment of the CNN Opinion series -- "America's Future Starts Now" -- educators, academics and think tank experts examine major problems in US public education, chief among them, the partisan divisions over what gets taught in the classroom and how.
11/04/2022
First lady Jill Biden comes to Pittsburgh to urge teachers to vote for Democrats up and down the ballot
As we draw closer to the 2022 midterm elections, we’re continuing our get-out-the-vote efforts. AFT President Randi Weingarten joined first lady Dr. Jill Biden in Pittsburgh for a rally in honor of the Pennsylvania Democratic candidates. Weingarten appreciates the value of having a teacher in the White House: “We have an ally in the White House,” she said, “a person who, literally, has been grading papers in the residence.” And she emphasized that the Democratic candidates will fortify public education, support workers and fight for reproductive freedoms. Click through to read the full article.
First lady Jill Biden comes to Pittsburgh to urge teachers to vote for Democrats up and down the ballot First lady Jill Biden joined fellow teachers at the American Federation of Teachers site in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats neighborhood to encourage them to vote for Democratic candidates down the ballot next Tuesday. The first lady brought her get-out-the-vote bus tour to Pittsburgh to stump f...
11/01/2022
In just one week, we the people will decide on the future of our country. Medicare and Social Security are on the ballot this year, as right-wing extremists look to cut both. If you need more information on the elections, visit AFTvotes.org. To share this graphic about protecting Medicare and Social Security as a reason to vote, click through.
The main policies that the far right extremists have proposed include cutting Medicare and Social Security. People need their healthcare and their retirement, especially the most vulnerable among us.
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