2003 Union Hall of Honor
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Herman Lilien
"Elected in 1903 to be the first President of the newly formed International Hod Carriers and Building Laborers Union."
An immigrant from Belgium, Lilien was elected president of the International Hod Carriers’ and Building Laborers’ Union of America at its founding in 1903. During Lilien’s service as President of Local 4 in Chicago, AFL President Samuel Gompers called the handful of existing local unions to convene in Washington D.C. to create a national union. Under Lilien’s leadership following the convention, the union experienced a period of tremendous growth.
Peter Fosco
"As its President from 1968 to 1975, transformed LIUNA into a union ready for the 21st Century."
Over the course of his years of service as its president from 1968 to 1975, Fosco helped to transform the Laborers’ International Union of America into a modern organization. Fosco immigrated from Italy as a young man of remarkable talents, and soon rose to the presidency of his local union, the Sewer and Tunnel Miners, Local 2 of Chicago. He entered politics with his election to the Senate of the Illinois Legislature. After serving as the General Secretary Treasurer to the International Union, he became General President. Under his leadership, key national agreements were reached, union benefit programs were expanded, the Laborers’ National Pension Fund was created, and a national training program was established.