Presentation of People's World Amistad Award to John Humphries by John Harrity

Remarks on Presenting JOHN HUMPHRIES the Amistad Award – John Harrity 12/14/19

First, I want to congratulate all the honorees, and thank everyone who has come here today to celebrate them and our collective solidarity. And I want to especially celebrate the recognition given to my great friend of many years, Joelle Fishman. Joelle and I have worked together for many, many years and I have always valued her perspective, her advice and her friendship.

But on to the main event – John Humphries.

I am honored to be asked to honor John. I do not have a lot of time so I will get right to it. John is perhaps the most remarkable, effective and dedicated person I have ever worked with. That’s not hyperbola, and that’s not from a novice; I say that sincerely with more than 40 years of activism in people’s struggles. John – believe me when I say you are among the best.

John has a long history of organizing for progressive causes – in Appalachia, the Naugatuck Valley, with Sheff vs, O’Neill – but I am not going to focus on that. I met John maybe 7 years ago, when some environmentalists asked John Olsen if he could convene a meeting of labor folks concerned about climate change. This led to a continuing dialogue, and John Olsen’s request that I keep tabs on it.

That evolved into the CT Roundtable on Climate & Jobs a coalition of labor, environmental and faith groups, focused on climate change. Our working thesis is that the fight against climate disaster is crucial, and opens up opportunities for new, local, good-paying jobs in a revamped renewable energy economy. This transformation also mandates addressing and correcting decades of racial injustice embedded into the fossil fuel economy

But you can have the greatest perspective, and the keenest analysis, and not get anything done. The difference for the Roundtable has been our Executive Director and Lead Organizer, John Humphries.

I will just state a few of the Roundtable’s many achievements. In an early fight with utilities, we got restrictions put on the amount utilities could charge rate payers for fixed costs, which were a deterrent to energy conservation and renewables. We convinced the Malloy administration to revive and utilize the Governor Council on Climate Change and assisted the in the development and holding of stakeholder meetings across the state on climate change.

That process led to Connecticut setting some of the toughest standards in the country as goals for carbon reduction. Those goals were then further tightened by incoming Governor Lamont.

We led the way in establishing a state goal to construct 2,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035. Offshore wind projects promise the creation of thousands of jobs under project labor agreements – so that they are union jobs. Most important, they will generate electric power without carbon emissions, to help keep our planet safe.

Now we are involved in working with the Lamont administration to ensure that climate change is a primary factor in determining elements of a strategic transportation plan.

Through it all has been the leadership of John Humphries. His understanding of the climate crisis, and what needs to be done, is visionary. His work ethic is unmatched – meticulous, focused, disciplined and knowledgeable.

But it is his humanity, and genuine love of people that shines through always, and helps move people to our cause. John is a person with strong faith and strong personal values. He and his wife Debbie are a strong team, bound by love and a desire to do good in the world.

John leads by example, as well as by a sharp intellect, great listening skills and an ability to synthesize diverse opinions into concrete plans and real action.

John treats people with respect and dignity, and with an essential kindness that people feel and draws them in. If you know John, you know – and I mean this in the best, most appreciative way – that there is a little bit of Mr. Rogers to John, except focused on climate change instead of the Land of Make-Believe.

I am truly honored to be able to work with and learn from John Humphries. I am thankful to call him my friend. But I am most thankful that, at this crucial moment in history, when we are fighting to the survival of the world, John Humphries is on our side.

Let me read the citation on the award we are about to give John:

People's World Amistad Award

John Humphries

Director Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs

In recognition of your life long commitment

to social, racial, environmental and economic justice for all people, 

through community organizing and diverse alliance building 

bringing together labor, faith and community leaders 

from Appalachia to Connecticut to save our planet earth 

from devastation due to climate change and militarism and

to create good, green jobs and an equal and sustainable future

Your outstanding leadership is an inspiration

December 14, 2019 at 

City Hall Atrium

New Haven, Connecticut