WHEREAS, Thomas Paine Cronin has served 35 years as organizer, local president, council president and member of the board of the Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia AFL-CIO; and
WHEREAS, After years of civil rights struggles in the South and North, Thomas Paine Cronin began his career in City employment as a Civil Rights Investigator with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations in 1970. He was one of the original members of the Administrative, Professional and Technical Association (APTA) and was one of the original organizers of APTA District Council 47; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Paine Cronin occupied several positions on the District Council 47 Executive Board before being elected President of Local 2187 in 1978. In 1980 he was elected President of AFSCME District Council 47, which has approximately 6,500 members today; and
WHEREAS, AFSCME District Council 47, under Cronin's leadership, is a strong supporter of the labor union principle of Solidarity whether here or abroad; and
WHEREAS, District Council 47 continues to fight aggressively for active members as well as retirees; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Thomas Paine Cronin has been a strong advocate and clear voice of the members of District Council 47, and has benefited our City through his vision, commitment, and leadership; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That It Honors, Recognizes, And Thanks Thomas Paine Cronin Upon His Retirement as President Of AFSCME District Council 47.
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