b'CITY EMPLOYEES UNION LOCAL 237AFFILIATED WITH THEINTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS216 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011-7296Currently Vice President of Teamsters Local 237, I am a third generation Teamster very proud of my heritage. My grandfathercame to New York City in the 1950s. He and my father worked forpublic housing, as did I, working our way up the system to improve the lives of our family and fellow workers. My beloved mother, Carmen Cruz, continues to help keep the richness of our culture alive and meaningful to me and my daughters. Teamsters Local 237s Oral History Project is dedicated to those same noble ideas. Originated by the late Nancy B. True, former Director of the Retiree Division, a quarter century ago, The Oral History Project records the personal remembrances of our members.Famed labor leader A. Philip Randolph, describing the social uplift of unions, said: The labor movement traditionally has been the haven for the neglected, the despised, the downtrodden, the poor Let the nation and the world know the meaning of our numbers. In many ways, the Oral History Project, and the books it produces, reflect and propagate this real picture of unions, now more important than ever in the battle against union bashing. The Projects personal, unfiltered recollections and mementos bring to life our history in a collection, not only of great interest, but also of great value to current and future members, and the public at large. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to all the participants in this project. I also want to congratulate Co-Directors Julie Kobi and Susan Milisits for their dedication in continuing the project and completing this fabulous second edition book. The Oral History Project will always remind us of the sense of pride in our heritage, our union, and their importance to future generations. In solidarity,Ruben Torres,Vice President of Teamsters Local 237 and Secretary-Treasurer of the IBTs National Hispanic Caucus and Vice President of the New York Chapter of the Teamsters Hispanic Caucus4 '