(From November 2000 Region 8 Review)

UAW CONVENTION DELEGATE HAS ALWAYS BEEN INVOLVED IN POLITICS

Robert Pruitte feels very fortunate to have been elected as delegate for the 6th Congressional District of Tennessee to the 2000 Democratic National Convention. Although this is his second consecutive time serving as a delegate, he felt especially privileged to be a part of casting the first votes for Tennessee's favorite son, Al Gore. "When Alabama passed to Alaska, who yielded to Tennessee to cast the first votes, a roar went up in the crowd and I felt so proud to be there voting for Al Gore. It was a moment I will never forget."

A Tennessee native, Robert says it seems he's always been involved in politics. Besides belonging to the Wilson County Democratic Executive Committee, Robert also serves as Chairman of the Tennessee State UAW CAP Council and for the past 37 years has been the Financial Secretary of Local 342 which services TRW in Lebanon, Tennessee. "I'm a yellow dog Democrat and proud of it," Robert says.

To Robert, it just seemed natural to run for delegate to the Democratic National Convention, which he first did in 1996. He filed the necessary paperwork at the State Democratic Headquarters as a candidate. Being well-known in his community for his hard work and dedication, he was first elected by the county, then at the district, where he succeeded in becoming elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. "Anybody can run," Robert explains. "It's not based on party participation, but it sure does help. All you need is a little hard work and a desire to have your voice heard."

Besides Robert, many other UAW members, both active and retired, participated in the Convention. International Representative Clarence Williams served as a delegate for the state of Georgia, as did Retired Servicing Staff James "Herb" Butler. Clifford Cantrell, retired member of Local 1853 was elected as a delegate for the state of Florida and active Local 2069 member Phillip Hawks represented Virginia. Mississippi state delegate Brown Miller is a retired member of Local 2190. NTC staff member Samuel Lathem was elected to represent Delaware.

Others who accepted staff positions to assist their respective states are Loretta Carr, MD state UAW CAP Financial Secretary and member of Local 354 for the state of Maryland, and Tammy S. Allen-White, member of Local 1853 for the state of Tennessee. Guy Derryberry, Vice Chairman of the Tennessee State CAP Council and member of Local 1853 also served proudly for the state of Tennessee.