press releases - World Peace Prize Awarding Council

World Peace Prize announces Connecticut Labor leader is a Laureate of “Roving Ambassador for Peace.”

World Peace Prize announces Connecticut Labor leader is a Laureate of “Roving Ambassador for Peace.”

CAPITOL HILL. Friday, April 8, 2022—The World Peace Prize is honoring distinguished Connecticut Labor Leader, Ms. Shellye Davis — Executive Vice President, AFL-CIO— with the World Peace Prize of “Roving Ambassador for Peace.” The Presentation Ceremony will take place on a weekday from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM— date and location to be announced later. Her office will issue the invitations to this free event—not a fundraiser.

Fr. Sean Mc Manus—President of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus/Irish Peace Foundation and Chief Judge of World Peace Prize (headquarted in Seoul, South Korea) said:
“I was pleased to propose Executive Vice President Davis for the World Peace Prize of “Roving Ambassador for Peace” because for over 25 years she has shown outstanding dedication to justice and solidarity for working men and women—on both a local, national and global level. And Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Saint Pope John Paul II remind us that peace is the fruit of justice and solidarity. (Please visit WorldPeacePrizeWashington.org for further information).
I was delighted that our panel of International and Inter-Faith judges (representing all
nine major world religious groups) agreed. I strongly believe that the Labor Movement should be recognized as powerfully contributing to world peace based on solidarity, equality, and justice. The late, great President Richard L. Trumka—who formally helped us launch the World Peace Prize within the Labor Movement in his own AFL-CIO Headquarters on February 3, 2016—most certainly agreed, and he was very pleased we have connected Labor’s “fight for social justice with the building of peace nationally and globally—https://drive.google.com/file/d/13ZF5S61DVCS7Cuey4YAl3Dn6kA0ztr3C/view

Executive Vice President Davis said: “I am profoundly honored, humbled, and blessed to accept this World Pace Prize award of ‘Roving Ambassador for Peace. ‘It is great to receive an award of this magnitude on behalf of all those who have stood with me on this journey. Words cannot begin to translate what this means to me personally. But I try to be a beacon of light and hope for those who fight for equality and justice day after day. We all deserve to be treated fairly and have a seat at the table. I have made every attempt possible to be a voice for others who have been silenced.

I believe social justice is a key component to achieve peace. I have seen first hand that solidarity is ‘a must’ to stimulate justice. No matter what part we play, just as every knit in a sweater is equally important, we can only make an impact together. As I child, I was fortunate to have loving parents, Vernal Davis and Alice Davis, who were advocates for education and being of service to others. They instilled in me the mantra: ‘We do what we can when we can.’ When others have done all they can, we pick up the mantle and carry it because as it stated in 1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV:’- And now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.’

I have faith that we can do it. I work with the hope that together we can change any injustice. When I see an opportunity to be of service, I do it in love because I know it will make a difference. Our future depends on being active and present now. I am deeply grateful to Fr. Sean McManus and Barbara Flaherty— also a Judge on the Awarding Council and Chairperson of the World Peace Prize Presentation Ceremony— for this World Peace Prize award.”

Fr. Mc Manus concluded: “It is truly wonderful and inspiring to witness how much the World Peace Prize

means to the devoted women and men of American Organized Labor and to see how deeply they believe

that, in fact, ‘peace is the fruit of solidarity.’ And, equally, they see, as we do, that the late beloved President Trumka’s vision and initiative in helping us to launch the World Peace Prize within the Labor Movement will be an important part of his enduring legacy. God rest him, and may his memory be a blessing.”

END.

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NYC CARPENTERS LEADER ANTHONY MADAIO SELECTED LAUREATE OF WORLD PEACE PRIZE

Capitol Hill. June 9, 2022. Italian American Anthony Madaio, 41-year-old President of Carpenters Local 157 (the largest Carpenters Local in the United States) will receive the Prize at the Presentation Ceremony on a weekday from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM in Local 157’s Headquarters, 395 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014 — date to be announced later. His office will issue the invitations to this free event—not a fundraiser.

The announcement was made by Fr. Sean McManus, President of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus, and Irish Peace Foundation— and Chief Judge of the World Peace Prize, which is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The World Peace Prize was founded in 1989 by the late Presbyterian Minister, Rev. Dr. Han Min Su, and consists of a panel of International and Inter-Faith judges (representing all nine major world religious groups).”

Fr. Mc Manus said: “When we became involved with the World Peace Prize in 2013, we wanted to strongly make the point that working for peace in fact means working for justice all the time, day in day out, year after year. And what group in America better exemplifies this since the 1880s than the American Labor Movement? And the iconic Carpenters Union has been leading the way since 1881. And now the young, impressive President Madaio is leading the largest Carpenters Local in the United States—in solidarity, dedication, and with great ability.

The American Labor Movement/Organized Labor works for justice, equality, and solidarity for working women and men. Therefore, the Labor Movement and its leaders ought to be seen as very suitable potential candidates for the World Peace Prize. And Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Saint Pope John Paul II remind us that peace is the fruit of justice and solidarity. (Please visit WorldPeacePrizeWashington.org for further information).”

Fr. McManus further explained: “We took our vision to the late, great, and beloved Richard L. Trumka, President, AFL-CIO. He loved the idea, and enthusiastically wanted to help us to launch it throughout the Labor Movement—symbolically doing so at his own Washington AFL-CIO Headquarters, by being the first Labor recipient of the World Peace Prize on February 3, 2016.”

President Madaio said: “I am honored and humbled by being a laureate of the World Peace Prize, which I accept on behalf of the entire United Brotherhood of Carpenters. Like the late President Trumka, AFL-CIO, and Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien, I, too, greatly appreciate the World Peace Prize connecting American Organized Labor with peace—locally, nationally, and globally. It is also all the more meaningful to me since Fr. McManus was a good friend of our late General President Pat Campbell (1982-1988). I know Pat is smiling down on a Carpenter receiving the World Peace Prize. Solidarity forever.”

L-R: Patrick J. Campbell, General President, United Brotherhood of Carpenters. Teddy Gleason, President, International Longshoremen Association,1963-1987. (Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York in 1984. The Irish National Caucus honored him in New York City after the Parade). Tom Donahue, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO (1979-1995) and President in 1995.

Fr. Sean McManus, President of the Irish National Caucus.

NEW TEAMSTERS LEADER, SEAN O’BRIEN, APPLAUDS WORLD PEACE PRIZE

GREGORY FLOYD NAMED A LAUREATE OF WORLD PEACE PRIZE
First Teamster to Receive Prize of “Roving Ambassador for Peace”
General President O’Brien “applauds” selection

Capitol Hill—Monday, April 4, 2022—A Teamster trailblazer for over 35 years has been selected a Laureate of the World Peace Prize of “Roving Ambassador for Peace.”

New Yorker Gregory Floyd, President of Teamsters Local 237 and Teamsters International Vice President-At Large, as well as a Trustee of New York City’s Employees’ Retirement System, will receive the prize at a date and location to be later announced. Mr. Floyd is a well-respected Black labor leader, long acknowledged as a significant force in the City’s labor movement, especially among public sector workers. Teamsters Local 237

is the largest public sector Local within the IBT.

The announcement was made by Fr. Sean McManus, President of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus/ Irish Peace Foundation, and Chief Judge of the World Peace Prize, which is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The World Peace Prize was founded in 1989 by the late Presbyterian Minister, Rev. Dr. Han Min Su, and consists of a panel of International and Inter-Faith judges (representing all nine major world religious groups).

Fr. Mc Manus said: “When we became involved with the World Peace Prize, we wanted to strongly make the point that working for peace, in fact, means working for justice all the time, day in day out, year after year. And what group in America better exemplifies this since the late 1880s?” The American Labor Movement/Organized Labor works for justice for working women and men. Therefore, the Labor Movement and its leaders ought to be seen as very suitable potential candidates for the World Peace Prize.

Fr. McManus further explained: “We took our vision to the late, great, and beloved Richard L. Trumka, President, AFL-CIO. He loved the idea, and enthusiastically wanted to help us launch it throughout the Labor Movement—symbolically doing so on February 3, 2016, at his own Washington AFL-CIO Headquarters by being the first Labor recipient of the World Peace Prize.”

President Floyd said: “It is a tremendous honor to receive the World Peace Prize. When I review the names of past recipients, I am humbled to be considered a member of such a prestigious group. It is with great pride that on behalf of Teamsters Local 237 and the entire International Brotherhood of Teamsters, I accept this award.”

Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said: “On behalf of the 1.3 million members of International Brotherhood of Teamsters—as well as our General Executive Board—I want to congratulate Greg for receiving this award. We applaud this organization’s mission of connecting labor’s fight for justice with the fight for justice on many other fronts. Greg has been fighting on behalf of working families his entire life and is deserving of this honor.”

Fr. McManus warmly welcomed General President O’Brien’s praise for the selection of President Floyd as a World Peace Prize laureate. And he concluded: “I greatly appreciate General President O’Brien’s applauding the mission of the World Peace Prize and his seeing the importance of the connection we have made between Labor’s historic fight for justice and the building of World Peace—just as did the late, great, and beloved President Trumka. So, now, two of the most powerful Labor leaders in American history have applauded our mission. We have been deeply touched by how much the World Peace Prize means to the individual laureates and to their respective Unions and Locals.” END.

World Peace Prize for Top IATSE Leader

Michael Barnes, First Vice President

Barbara Flaherty, Honoree Michael Barnes, Fr. Sean McManus

CAPITOL HILL. Thursday, June 20, 2019— A top Philadelphia-based Labor leader has been awarded the World Peace Prize.

Michael Barnes, First International Vice President, IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) and a Vice President of the New Jersey AFL-CIO.was presented with the World Peace Prize of “Roving Ambassador for Peace” on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at a ceremony in IATSE’s Philadelphia headquarters.

The late World Leader and Master Planner, Rev. Dr. Han Min Su, founded the World Peace Prize in Seoul, South Korea, in 1989.

The presentation was made by Fr. Sean McManus—Chief Judge of the World Peace Prize and President of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus— and the ceremony was chaired by Barbara Flaherty, a Judge of the World Peace Prize Awarding Council, and Executive Vice President of the Irish National Caucus.

The World Peace Prize Awarding Council consists of 14-member Board of International and Interfaith judges. The Board is comprised of representatives of the world’s nine major religions: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Russian Orthodox, and Zoroastrianism.

Fr. Mc Manus explained: “Working for peace, locally or globally, means, in effect and of necessity, working for social justice. Therefore, members of the Labor Movement are ideally qualified to be recipients of our World Peace Prize. Michael Barnes eminently deserves this Prize. As Pope John Paul II has said, ‘peace is the fruit of solidarity.’ And the American Labor Movement is dedicated to solidarity, which Pope John Paul II raised to the status of a virtue in his Encyclical: Sollicitudo rei socialis (“Solicitude for social concerns”) 1988.”

Mr. Barnes expressed delight and honor as he humbly received the World Peace Prize. He outlined his long family involvement in the Labor Movement and in IATSE, stressing his proud Irish heritage and strong Irish Catholic tradition.

WORLD PEACE PRIZE GOES TO TEXAS WOMAN LABOR LEADER

Barbara Flaherty, Montserrat Garibay, Fr. Sean McManus

CAPITOL HILL. Austin, Texas.— A top Texan woman Labor leader has been awarded the World Peace Prize.

Montserrat Garibay, Secretary-Treasurer, Texas AFL-CIO, was presented with the World Peace Prize of “Roving Ambassador for Peace.”

The presentation ceremony took place on Monday afternoon, February 18, 2019, at the Texas AFL-CIO headquarters in Austin.

World Leader and Master Planner, Rev. Dr. Han Min Su, founded the World Peace Prize in Seoul, South Korea, in 1989. Dr. Han is a Presbyterian Minister.

The presentation was made by Fr. Sean McManus—Chief Judge of the World Peace Prize and President of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus— and the ceremony was chaired by Barbara Flaherty, a Judge of the World Peace Prize Awarding Council, and Executive Vice President of the Irish National Caucus.

The World Peace Prize Awarding Council consists of a 14-member Board of International and Interfaith judges. The Board is comprised of representatives of the world’s nine major religions: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Russian Orthodox, and Zoroastrianism.

Fr. Mc Manus explained: “Working for peace, locally or globally, means, in effect and of necessity, working for social justice. Therefore, members of the Labor Movement are ideally qualified to be recipients of our World Peace Prize. Montserrat Garibay— originally from Mexico City, and once an undocumented immigrant, but now an American citizen—personifies the true Labor spirit and the true immigrant spirit. She has a driving desire to create justice and solidarity for all. She is an ideal recipient for the World Peace Prize of ‘Roving Ambassador for Peace’—for as Pope John Paul II powerfully reminds us, peace is the fruit of solidarity.”

Secretary-Treasurer Garibay in her acceptance speech expressed heartfelt appreciation for the honor of the Prize; she movingly recounted her early experience in the United States and how so many people helped her and her family to overcome difficulties. She sees her mission as Labor leader as a perfect way of “giving back”— of promoting solidarity and justice for all, with a helping hand to immigrants and all who are seeking dignity and fairness.

[Full speech will be available next week on our website — WorldPeacePrizeWashington.org]

HONORING TWO GREAT WOMEN LABOR LEADERS

Fr. Sean McManus, Elizabeth Powell, Esther Lopez, and Barbara Flaherty

Liz Shuler, Elizabeth Powell, Esther Lopez, Barbara Flaherty, and Fr. Sean McManus

CAPITOL HILL. Tuesday, February 5, 2019— Two top women labor leaders were honored today with the World Peace Prize for Labor Leadership.

The ceremony took place, appropriately, at the AFL-CIO Headquarters, Washington, DC, thanks to the graciousness of President Richard L. Trumka.

The two Honorees were Elizabeth Powell, Secretary-Treasurer, American Postal Worker Union (APWU) and Esther Lopez, Secretary-Treasurer, United Food Commercial Workers (UFCW).

World Leader and Master Planner, Rev. Dr. Han Min Su, founded the World Peace Prize in Seoul, South Korea, in 1989. Dr. Han is a Presbyterian Minister.

The presentation was made by Fr. Sean McManus—Chief Judge of the World Peace Prize and President of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus— and the ceremony was chaired by Barbara Flaherty, a Judge of the World Peace Prize Awarding Council, and Executive Vice President of the Irish National Caucus.

Fr. McManus stated: “When Barbara Flaherty and I joined the World Peace Prize Awarding Council in 2013, we set out to achieve two objectives and to have the International-InterFaith Awarding Council endorse these objectives. The First Objective was this: to assert the fundamental truth and basic principle, that peace is the fruit of justice—that working for peace means, in fact, working for social justice. Without justice, there is no love. No Faith. No equality. No fairness. No decency. Without justice, there is no love of God, and, certainly, no love of neighbor. And our Second Objective was this: to firmly place the American Labor Movement in the category of those who work for peace because the Labor Movement works for justice for working men and women—all the time, every day, year after year.”

Fr. Mc Manus also explained: “People of faith believe we are on this earth to worship God, to do His will and to build up God’s Kingdom on earth in justice, solidarity and respect for every son and daughter of God. Not only that, but people of no faith and no religion can agree with the centrality of social justice. All people of good-will, all fair-minded people, recognize that without justice, civilized society cannot stand; fair treatment cannot stand; fair employment cannot stand, and a just and living wage cannot stand.

So … people of faith can be certain that working for justice is doing God’s work on earth. And people of no faith can be certain that working for justice is doing the decent and loving thing. And all of us can be certain that anything that does injustice —anything that discriminates, marginalizes, demeans, devalues and disrespects human beings— cannot be God’s work, or cannot be the decent and loving thing to do.”

The Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, Liz Shuler, was one of the speakers. She gave a stirring account of the labor record and achievements of the two Honorees.

The World Peace Prize Awarding Council consists of 14-member Board of International and Interfaith judges. The Board is comprised of representatives of the world’s nine major religions: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Russian Orthodox, and Zoroastrianism.

Top Massachusetts Labor Leader Receives World Peace Prize

“Steven Tolman, president, AFL-CIO— a charismatic, energetic, and passionate Labor leader— eminently deserves this Prize.”

Fr. Sean McManus, President Steven Tolman, and Barbara Flaherty

CAPITOL HILL. Wednesday, January 16, 2019— A top Massachusetts Labor leader has been awarded the World Peace Prize.

Steven Tolman, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, was presented with the World Peace Prize of “Roving Ambassador for Peace.”

The presentation ceremony took place on Tuesday afternoon, January 15, 2019, in Florian Hall, Dorchester, Boston.
World Leader and Master Planner, Rev. Dr. Han Min Su, founded the World Peace Prize in Seoul, South Korea, in 1989. Dr. Han is a Presbyterian Minister.

The presentation was made by Fr. Sean McManus—Chief Judge of the World Peace Prize and President of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus— and the ceremony was chaired by Barbara Flaherty, a Judge of the World Peace Prize Awarding Council, and Executive Vice President of the Irish National Caucus.

The World Peace Prize Awarding Council consists of 14-member Board of International and Interfaith judges. The Board is comprised of representatives of the world’s nine major religions: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Russian Orthodox, and Zoroastrianism.

Fr. Mc Manus explained: “Working for peace, locally or globally, means, in effect and of necessity, working for social justice. Therefore, members of the Labor Movement are ideally qualified to be recipients of our World Peace Prize. Steven Tolman, President, AFL-CIO— a charismatic, energetic, and passionate Labor leader— eminently deserves this Prize. As Pope John Paul 1I has said, ‘peace is the fruit of solidarity.’ And the American Labor Movement knows a thing or two about solidarity.”

President Tolman in his acceptance speech said: “I am humbled by this award because I truly believe that every union leader and activist is worthy of the same recognition. We’re all working day in and day out for justice…
On behalf of our members,
On behalf of fairness in the workplace,
On behalf of all working people who deserve a voice and their fair share.
As Martin Luther King said: ‘As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love.’Thank you for the honor of receiving this award.” [Full speech will be available next week on our website — WorldPeacePrizeWashington.org]

WORLD PEACE PRIZE FOR OHIO LABOR LEADER

WORLD PEACE PRIZE FOR OHIO LABOR LEADE

Fr. Sean McManus, Secretary-Treasurer Petee Talley, Barbara Flaherty

CAPITOL HILL. Tuesday, January 8, 2019— The first woman to serve in a top Ohio AFL-CIO position has been honored by the World Peace Prize organization.

Pierrette “Petee” Talley of Columbus is the first woman to hold one of the top two offices in the 56-year history of the Ohio AFL-CIO—Secretary-Treasurer.

Ms. Talley, a member of AFSCME Local 3616, was first elected in 2002.

On Monday, January 7, 2019, in the United Food Commercial Workers union hall, Columbus, the World Peace Prize of “ Roving Ambassador for Peace” was conferred upon Ms. Talley.

The Prize was presented by Fr. Sean McManus, president of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus and Chief Judge of the World Peace Prize. The presentation ceremony was chaired by Barbara Flaherty, Executive Vice President, Irish National Caucus, and a Judge on the World Peace Prize Awarding Council. Fr. Mc Manus described Secretary-Treasurer Talley as “ a Rosa Parks of the Ohio labor movement.”

Ms. Talley said: “This is truly a tremendous honor and I am deeply humbled to accept it on behalf of workers in Ohio and across the nation. World peace is a mission that we all must aspire to in our quest for justice for those who labor in the building of our nation’s goods and services, and we do so unselfishly and with pride, in the spirit of peace.”

Massachusetts Labor Leader to Receive World Peace Prize

Steven Tolman, President, AFL-CIO

CAPITOL HILL. Thursday, December 20, 2018— For the first time, a Massachusetts resident will be honored with the World Peace Prize.

The World Peace Prize Awarding Council (WPPAC) has announced that Steven Tolman, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, will receive the prestigious prize of “Roving Ambassador for Peace.”

The presentation ceremony will take place on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at 2:30-4:30 PM in Florian Hall, 55 Hallet Street, Dorchester, Boston, MA 02124.

World Leader and Master Planner, Rev. Dr. Han Min Su, founded the World Peace Prize in Seoul, South Korea, in 1989. Dr. Han is a Presbyterian Minister.

Dr. Han said: “Our Washington office—WWW.WorldPeacePrizeWashington.org— headed by Fr. Sean Mc Manus and Barbara Flaherty of the Irish National Caucus, nominated the Honorable Steven Tolman. Our 14-member Board of International and Interfaith judges unanimously selected Mr. Tolman. Our Board is comprised of representatives of the world’s nine major religions: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Russian Orthodox, and Zoroastrianism. We congratulate Mr. Tolman, while also knowing that his acceptance honors our noble idea and mission of world peace.”

Fr. Sean Mc Manus — President of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus and Chief Judge of the World Peace Prize Awarding Council (WPPAC)— said: “I have the honor of being the Chief Judge of the World Peace Prize Awarding Council (headquartered in Seoul, South Korea).

We were pleased to be able to propose Steven Tolman because of the intrinsic link between justice and peace. As Saint Pope John Paul II has declared, peace is, indeed, the fruit of solidarity.’ Labor Leaders who spend their entire lives working in solidarity for justice for working men and women are, indeed, working for peace—not only nationally but also globally. Hence, Labor leaders — and Steven Tolman in particular—are eminently qualified to be candidates for the World Peace Prize of Roving Ambassador for Peace. Furthermore, our Peace Prizes encourage members of the Labor Movement to positively think of themselves as not just fighters for justice but as peace builders as well. I believe this gives an important dimension to Labor’s self-understanding, self-image, and self-identity. And, I urge all members of the Labor Movement to embrace it —as I know Steven Tolman does. So, too, does the national president of the AFL-CIO, the great Richard L. Trumka.”

Mr. Tolman said: “I am truly honored to be chosen as the Roving Ambassador for World Peace. Within the ranks of the labor movement, there are leaders of every sector who are committed to standing up against injustice of all types. Each and every day I am honored to partner with them in their fight, and I accept this award in the spirit of their work as we strive for a more just and peaceful world.” END.