Pictured Above: Representatives of the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council gather behind the 2010 Harry S. Jordan Scholarship winners during an awards dinner held in Niagara Falls Wednesday evening.  The award winners are seated from left to right: Patrick Polley (in black shirt), Charles Porreca and Cortland McKernan.  (WNYLaborToday.com Photo)

(NIAGARA FALLS) - With an overall theme of the need to involve more young people and young workers in the Labor Movement, the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council awarded three scholarships to two area high schools graduates and another to a University of Buffalo student during its 27th Annual Harry S. Jordan Awards Dinner that was held Wednesday evening in Niagara Falls.

"I believe this is extremely important," Niagara-Orleans CLC President Anna Horton told nearly 50 individuals who attended the annual scholarship awards dinner.  Added Bill Jakobi, Community Services Liaison for the Niagara-Orleans CLC: "The Labor Movement believes in today's youth and we're proud to continue to award these scholarships."

Receiving the 2010 Harry S. Jordan Scholarships were:

• Cortland McKernan of Newfane High School, who was sponsored by United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 686/Unit 1.  McKernan will major in criminal justice at Niagara County Community College.  McKernan took time to recognize his mother, a UAW Union Member, for playing such an important role in his life.  He also read a short essay that he wrote on "Unions and Political Action."

• Patrick Polley of Lewiston Porter High School, who was sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 237.  Polley is an undecided major who will attend the State University of New York at Oswego.  Polley read his essay on the "Eight-Hour Work Day/Five-Day Work Week."

• And Charles Porreca, an electrical engineering major at the University at Buffalo, who was sponsored by USW (United Steelworkers) Local 4-0598.  Porreca received the Harry S. Jordan President's/Continuing Education Scholarship Award.  Porreca, who also read an essay on the "Eight-Hour Work Day/Five-Day Work Week" topic, told dinner attendees he has been "fortunate to grow up in a family of Union Workers, who were afforded the time to spend with their children as they grew up," instead of working long hours seven days a week.

The scholarship awards dinner is named after long-time Niagara County Union Leader Harry S. Jordan.  The late Jordan's dedication, interest in his Local - IBEW Local 237 in Niagara Falls - and its membership helped set the standard for local Union Achievement, while serving as an inspiration for all Union Brotherhood and Sisterhood, Niagara-Orleans CLC officials said.

Jordan was born in England in 1894 and later immigrated to America.  After moving from Springfield, Illinois to Niagara Falls in 1914, he began to pursue his chosen trade with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Jordan served as the first Business Agent for IBEW Local 237 in Niagara Falls, a position he held for 52 years.  Serving on the Local's apprenticeship board, Jordan was involved in establishing courses that maintained the highest standards of craftsmanship.  In 1958, then U.S. Secretary of Labor James Mitchell cited Harry for his efforts. 

Jordan's achievements were many.  He was the president of the Niagara Falls Federation of Labor in 1919 and served in that capacity until it merged with the Niagara-Orleans Central Labor Council in 1956.  Jordan served as its president until 1971.  He also served as president of the Niagara County Building & Construction Trades Council from 1933 to 1941, and as trustee of the Niagara County Building Trades Council from 1941 until his retirement in 1971. 

Jordan's interest in helping the everyday Working Person extended far beyond Organized Labor into the field of public housing.  For his efforts, Jordan was affectionately known as the Father of Public Housing.  He served on the Niagara Falls Housing Authority for 30 years, including 14 as its chairman.  In 1963, the Public Housing Administration cited Jordan for his efforts and dedication. 

On another front, Jordan was active in the American Red Cross, the Community Chest, served as a member of the Niagara Falls Urban Renewal Agency, as a trustee on the Niagara Community College Campus in Sanborn, and also finding time to serve as chairman of the Educational Foundation at the local college.

In a bio that appeared in the scholarship dinner program, it was noted that "Jordan's long record of continuous service to Organized Labor stands as a tribute to the ordinary man.  Everyone who knew him benefited from knowing him, his hard work, positive influence upon his community, as well as, to the area's Unionized Construction Industry continue to this day."

Dinner Notes: Nick Zawacki, president of New York State United Teachers/American Federation of Teachers Local 4265 - a professional singer - sung the National Anthem as part of the dinner's opening ceremonies.  Zawacki, a Niagara Falls native, is a singer/songwriter who has performed at a number of Western New York venues, including the Niagara Falls Festival of Lights, and has released a seasonal CD of Christmas songs... Featured speaker Earl Frampton - retired AFL-CIO Communications Director - spoke on the importance of Working People "taking back our country" during the Fall elections.  "What we do at the ballot box affects our breadbox and everyone from the youngest to the oldest should say 'enough is enough' and work hard this year at the local, state and national level to elect candidates that will deal with 'down-to-earth' people issues and concerns," Frampton said... Also in attendance was United Way of Greater Niagara President Carol Houwaart Diez and her family.  The relationship between Organized Labor and the United Way was highlighted during the dinner, as well as were several collaborative community efforts the two are involved in across Niagara County - including the Holiday Lights of Niagara, the National Association of Letter Carriers Union's Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive and the Workers' Memorial In Niagara Falls, to name just a few.