Honoree Assistant Business Manager Elliot Hecht (4th from left) pictured with Senior Assistant Business Manager Ray Melville and Assistant Business Manager Louis Restrepo (5th and 6th from left)
On Saturday, October 22, 2016, the Santiago Iglesias Educational Society (SIES) celebrated their 58th Annual Dinner-Dance held at the Joint Industry Board. Hanging from the assembly hall’s rafters were flags from every Spanish-speaking nation in the world, a clear representation of the multicultural diversity within the organization.
Being one of the oldest enduring New York State Latino-based labor institutions affiliated with the AFL-CIO, the SIES uses the dinner-dance as a medium to laud the historical role the organization has engaged in the Latino community and organized labor.
Dance Chairman Arlo Bodden inaugurated the presentation portion of the program by acknowledging the reception committee for their steadfast efforts in organizing the function. Brother Bodden introduced SIES President Gilbert Medina, who greeted everyone and acknowledged all the Local 3 dignitaries and affiliated clubs of Local 3 who were present. Following his remarks, Brother Medina invited Assistant Business Manager Louis Restrepo and Senior Assistant Business Manager Raymond Melville to bestow this year’s honors.
This year, the Santiago Iglesias Educational Society honored Local 3 Assistant Business Manager Elliot Hecht with the Jose Lopez å_Memorial Award in appreciation of his years of dedicated service to Local 3. The co-honoree was shop steward and SIES board of directors member, Jason Rivera. Both honorees were presented with the traditional Panama hats and Guayabera shirts, both of which have come to symbolize the labor class in Latino culture.
With upwards of five hundred attendees at the gathering, the evening was an enormous success, charged with the sense of camaraderie and fellowship. All experienced an entertaining night of festivities and enjoyment.
Santiago Inglesias Board of Director and rank-and-file honoree Jason Rivera addresses the audience.
