Thank you, Jim, for your kind and generous remarks.

I first became aware of the Food Research and Action Center 25 years ago when, on behalf of CWA, I was working a legislative issue that came before the House Agriculture Committee for debate and vote.

I wasn't familiar with the landscape of the House Agriculture Committee. I had the good fortune, however, of meeting lobbyists from FRAC who seemed to be everywhere around the Committee.

Most important, I had the opportunity to read the position papers on that legislation prepared by FRAC's staff.

The position papers radiated with clarity. They glowed with powerful information. When I think of the word “luminescent” I associate it with works of John Updike, my favorite novelist. But the word luminescent comes close to describing the position papers prepared by FRAC that I read in 1979.

And Jim, I still get energized today when I think about the position papers from FRAC that I scrutinized a quarter of a century ago.

I came to realize that FRAC was a policy powerhouse, a policy palace in Washington.

In receiving this recognition tonight, I'm standing on the strong shoulders of a former FRAC staffer who, many years ago, served as a mentor, educating me about the issues that FRAC addresses on Capitol Hill. Since you are honoring me tonight, I want to reciprocate your acknowledgment by focusing the spotlight of community attention on Ed Cooney. In the 1980s, Ed took the time to answer the questions I had about the food and nutrition programs which are an essential part of FRAC's work on Capitol Hill.

The aspect of my work with FRAC about which I'm most proud is that I've been able to enlist the major telecommunications companies with whom CWA engages in collective bargaining to serve as partners for progress , in working to alleviate childhood hunger. When I first planned to approach our counterparts on the industry side and request that they support FRAC, I prepared arguments as to why eliminating childhood hunger would help improve the bottom line earnings of the companies. I primed my presentation from a business standpoint.

I was pleased that the telecommunications companies embraced supporting FRAC for altruistic reasons rather than just for self-serving economic reasons.

It's unusual in Washington for an event to feature the following organizations all lined up together on the same side of an issue: The Communications Workers of America, AT&T, Verizon, BellSouth, SBC and Qwest Communications.

But tonight, we're all here marching in solidarity in support of FRAC, behind the banner of the Campaign to End Childhood Hunger in America.

The fact that both management and labor in the telecommunications sector are working together to ensure that the voices of the hungry are heard on Capitol Hill is the most gratifying aspect of my work with FRAC.

In conclusion, it's been a mind-expanding experience to work with the Food Research and Action Center during the last quarter century. I hope to continue that work in the future, following the lodestar toward the ultimate goal of eliminating the scourge of hunger in America.

Thank you.