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Cammack 2011 Recipient of Labor Leader of the Year Award

The prestigious John S. Lyons Labor Leader of the Year annual award and banquet in September honored Teamsters Joint Council 42 President Randy Cammack. An overflow memorial banquet crowd of unionists, civic personalities, medical researchers and politicians enjoyed the 29th annual rendition of the charity fundraiser at the Hyatt Hotel on Mission Bay in San Diego.

 John S. Lyons was the esteemed, late leader of San Diego Teamsters Local 36 widely remembered for his philanthropic endeavors to aid the ailing and terminally ill through support of medical research. Cammack, also secretary-treasurer of Rialto-based Teamsters Local 63 and an International Union vice president, accepted the award at evening's end with typically concise and heartfelt remarks reflecting on all the good works the Lyons Foundation and organized labor addresses on behalf of everyone in society. Honored with the 2011 Fellowship award was San Diego City Councilwoman Marti Emerald, who previously was a longtime San Diego television consumer reporter. Emerald revealed during her acceptance remarks and thanks that her father was a Fred Meyer Teamster employee in the Pacific Northwest and she was a Teamster cab driver in Portland, Oregon for several years before moving to the border city. San Diego Local 36 Secretary-treasurer Art Cantu, chairman of the namesake "JOHNS" group that runs the annual fundraiser, said the annual awards dinner has raised nearly one and a half million dollars for medical research. On hand at the September affair were two medical doctors/researchers who updated guests on laboratory and testing advances, primarily accomplished with donated Lyons foundation dollars.

 

Secretary-Treasurer Randy Cammack and his wife Judy Cammack at the recent awards ceremony.  

Secretary-Treasurer Randy Cammack and his wife Judy Cammack at the recent awards ceremony.

More than 400 political leaders, union officials, and friends honored Secretary-Treasurer Randy Cammack, this year’s recipient of the prestigious John S. Lyons Labor Leader of the Year award.

The annual dinner — now in its 29th year — is named after John Lyons, the former Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 36. It recognizes the Labor Leader of the Year for his or her commitment to the union movement and to the community. Randy Cammack, who also serves as Joint Council President and International Vice President, was honored for his humanitarianism and dedication to the union members he proudly represents. In a heartfelt acceptance speech, with warmth, humor, and concern, he said, “Helping others is a part of Teamster DNA. That is why so many years of my life have been filled with enthusiasm in helping the labor movement.” He also profoundly thanked his staff members who have supported him through many decades. Honors poured in from the United States Congress, the state legislature, and the county of San Diego. In a tribute that appeared in the Congressional Record on September 7, Representative Bob Filner noted that Randy Cammack and the union movement are the sole source of fighting for the rights of working men and women. He paid tribute to Randy for helping resolve many tough grievances and delivering strong contracts through the years.

A proclamation by San Diego County officials declared September 10th Randy Cammack Day for his dedication to the best ideals of public service. A resolution by the California State Legislature acknowledged that Cammack was “renowned for the high standards to which he adheres and the integrity and professionalism with which he fulfills his tasks.” “The contributions Randy Cammack has made to the welfare and improvement of his community have been invaluable,” it said, “and he has served as a worthy model for all public-spirited people of the State.” Held at the all-union Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, the annual dinner originally raised funds for the San Diego Leukemia Society and later expanded its list of recipients to include the San Diego Blood Bank Bone Marrow Donor Program, the UCSD Cancer Center, the Salk Institute and the Mesothelioma Foundation. Since its inception, the John S. Lyons Foundation has raised over $1,300,000 for these worthy research efforts. Also honored was Marti Emerald, a San Diego City Council member. A former television consumer reporter, she is the daughter of a Teamster member. She also worked as a Teamster cab driver in Portland, Oregon for four years. Admitting he was overwhelmed by the honor, Randy Cammack said to a cheering audience, “This evening has provided me with additional incentive to continue union organizing and solid representation for the members. I pledge to work tirelessly for them.”