1989 Union Hall of Honor
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A. Philip Randolph
"Ardent, articulate, and inspirational, the paramount leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, historic champion of civil rights and justice."
Randolph promoted the cause of organized labor in general and the rights of minorities in particular. During 1925-1979 he served as the first president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. As the first African-American to serve on the Executive Council of the AFL as vice-president, he fought against employment discrimination and the integration of blacks in the armed forces.
Edward F. Brabec
"Journeyman in his trade, persuasive labor voice in public affairs, leader of the Plumbers' Union, and President of the Chicago Federation of Labor until his untimely death in 1986."
Brabec began his career within organized labor as a member of the Journeymen Plumbers Union in 1946. He became a leader as the Secretary-Treasurer of his union in 1958. Throughout the Cold War era, Brabec actively promoted the cause of labor unions in various organizations. He served on the Chicago and Cook County Trades Council, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Regional Transportation Authority, and in 1984 he became president of the Chicago Federation of Labor.