Wednesday, January 09, 2008
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Unions Passing Resolutions to Honor, Assist Folksinger and Storyteller Bruce "Utah" Phillips
Unions Passing Resolutions to Honor, Assist Folksinger / Storyteller Bruce "Utah" Phillips

Contact:  George Mann
georgeandjulius@att.net
phone: 212-923-6372

The great folksinger and storyteller Utah Phillips http://www.utahphillips.org/) has had to
retire from performing due to chronic and serious heart problems that have
plagued him for years. In recognition of his great love for and work on
behalf of the union movement and working people of the United States,
several union locals have passed resolutions honoring Phillips and attaching
donations for his "retirement fund." Unable to travel or stand the rigors of
performing a two-hour concert, Phillips has seen his main source of income
vanish just when his medical problems are demanding more money for treatment
and medications.

In response, Local 1180 of the Communications Workers of America (NYC), and
both the Detroit and the James Connolly (Upstate New York) Branches of the
Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) have recently passed the the following
resolution:

Bruce "Utah" Phillips is a truly unique American treasure. Not just a great
folksong writer and interpreter, not just a great storyteller, Utah has
preserved and presented the history of our nation's working people and union
movement for audiences throughout the world. His recorded work keeps these
songs and stories alive. He has spoken up against the injustices of
boss-dominated capitalism and worked for peace and justice for more than 40
years.

Now Utah finds himself unable to continue performing due to severe heart
problems. We wish to honor and recognize his great talent, spirit and love
for the working people and the union movement of the United States.
Therefore, we move to pass this resolution in gratitude for all he has done
and will continue to do in his work and life. We also wish to contribute
$____ to Utah Phillips in appreciation and in solidarity as he and his wife,
Joanna Robinson, deal with his health and the loss of his ability to work.

This news is being released with the hope that other unions, anti-war and
labor-affiliated organizations will respond in kind by passing this or
similar resolutions in appreciation for all Utah Phillips has done for the
cause of unions and peace.

Another way that organizations and individuals can help is by purchasing
some or all of Utah's vast catalog of songs and stories. All of his CDs and
more information are available at his website,  http://www.utahphillips.org/, and Utah has
begun posting podcasts up there that you can download and listen to! You can
also order his CDs online (credit card sales) through
"http://www.cdbaby.com/" but be advised that
prices are cheaper and more of that money will go into Utah's hands if you
order directly from him. More info on his website.

Here's the address for CD orders and to send a donation:


U. Utah Phillips
No Guff Records
P.O. Box 1235
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-2476


Utah has given so much of himself to the labor and peace movements. It is
great news that some unions and many have chosen to give something back to
him, to allow him and his wife, Joanna Robinson, to rest easy, work on his
long-term health, and not have to worry about where money will come for the
medicine and bills he has to pay. Please forward and post this release
widely!

In Solidarity, George Mann

Music
Wednesday, January 09, 2008 8:56:27 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Disclaimer  |  Comments [0]  |  Related posts:
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