Local Officers and Executive Board members,
It is with great sadness that I come to you with news of the passing of one of great shinning stars of the labor movement: our NFFE President Rick Brown.
With the passing of Brother Rick Brown we have lost a truly great leader who has made our Union one that every federal employee can be proud of. Indeed, NFFE exists today only because of the hard work and leadership exhibited by Brother Rick during the darkest days of our existence. Under his stewardship, we have grown from a union whose very survival was at risk to become one on the strongest and proudest advocates for federal employees in the country.
Brother Rick was an inspiration to all of us. He inspired us to reach higher and fight harder for the greater good. He inspired us to take pride in being a unionist in advancing the labor movement. I was there when this picture was taken. I can still remember his words as they echoed off the buildings in DC. His speech sent chills up and down my spine and still motivates me today. Brother Rick had that ability to always fire you up and re-energize you. He fought the good fight himself, to his last breath, and he also inspired us all to fight the good fight every day and with all of our strength.
I'm a better unionist and a better person because of our Brother Rick Brown. I will miss him deeply. He was taken from us much too soon. Let us all pause for reflection, and offer up a prayer of thanks for his life and his leadership. And then, with his life as an example to stir us onward, let us work with a renewed commitment and renewed vigor to bring justice to the federal workplace. Brother Rick would have wanted it no other way.
In solidarity,
Ron Thatcher
President, NFFE Forest Service Council
Please see http://www.nffe.org for more information about Brother Rick's legacy and his passing.
