Leo Gerard, President of the United Steelworkers (USW) presented the ‘Wellstone Award’ to U.S. Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) and U.S. Rep. Michael H. Michaud (D-2nd-ME) before an audience of 700 union leaders from across the country on Monday, Apr. 23 at union’s Rapid Response and Legislative Conference.

Sen. Dorgan is leading committee hearings on an anti-sweatshop international trade bill that is being advocated by the USW. Congressman Michaud is a proud member of the USW Local 37 in East Millinocket where he was employed at the Great Northern Paper Co. before being elected in 2002. The Congressman is leading the fight against free trade agreements with Peru, Columbia and Korea. Both spoke to the USW activists who are participating in a lobby day action with their members of Congress on issues of workers rights.

The award recognizes the dedication and accomplishments of public servants who exemplify the late Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota for his commitment to public service and the well being of USW members and their families. Wellstone, his wife, daughter and three campaign aides were killed in a plane crash prior to the election in 2002.

Past USW Wellstone Award winners include Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA); plus Reps. Pete Visclosky (D-IN), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and John Conyers (D-MI).