Vincent, who represented Lodge 305, joined the BMWE in 1945. He has served the BMWE in many capacities including 42 years as a Lodge Secretary-Treasurer and 19 years as an Assistant General Chairman until his retirement in 1985. Probably his biggest case, which he won on appeal, was representing 14 members during a 36-hour 'round the clock' hearing.

The most important issue at this convention, he says, was dues. "We should have passed a dues increase. You've got to have money; there's no way out of it. The way things are in Washington -- unless you have money -- you can't get anything done." Vincent served 24 years as New Jersey Assistant and State Legislative Director.

Married 66 years last April, Vincent and his wife Elizabeth have one son and three daughters.

Lorenzo Ben is proud of his Navajo heritage and of his 31 years on the Santa Fe Railroad where he is currently a machine operator. He is also a proud BMWE member who as President of Lodge 2400 for 12 years, represented his membership at his third convention. He says the most important issue facing the membership is how to work to get wage increases. Ben and his wife Mary are the parents of "six grown-up ladies."

Russell Orr, an "old bachelor" from Bruceton, Tennessee, represented Lodge 676 at his second convention. A welder for CSX, Orr is a 24-year member of the BMWE and serves as a Local Chairman. He says it seems "more of the delegates are up on the issues, more involved and understand better the importance of the Legislative Department." The one issue that needs to be conveyed to BMWE officers, he says, is that "members want 30/55 years and out. Also, we need to get supervisors out of the BMWE."

Andrew H. Shelton, Lodge Secretary-Treasurer, attended his third convention representing Lodge 670. A 23-year member of the BMWE, Shelton is a track inspector for CSX. His lodge didn't focus on any particular issue for convention so he "voted his conscience." He echoes Orr when he says, "It seems more of us are better on the issues this time than previously." Shelton, wife Christine and daughter Stephanie make their home near Nashville, Tennessee.

Harold (H. B.) Wilson, a coal miner's son, represented Lodge 1300 at his first convention. A 20-year member of the BMWE, Wilson is currently a track foreman for CSX.

"Trumka just electrified this hall and kept bringing us all to our feet. But I just don't understand it, 15 minutes after he left, we started to squabble. We debated for two hours over 29 cents. And yet, many of us think nothing of dropping $10 in the lottery every week.

"We want good negotiations but we don't want to pay for them, while the railroads spend millions. I've got a ton of stories about how bad we've been treated by the railroad company. If we don't fight, we're going to lose. But without money, it's like walking in sand. The company, who should see brothers and families only sees statistics and they're artists at driving a stake between the company and the union."

Silverio Silguero, the alternate delegate representing Lodge 1152, says his lodge didn't send him to the convention with an agenda but his members feel the biggest issue for the BMWE is contracting out.

A 20-year BMWE member, Silguero runs a regulator for Union Pacific (formerly C&NW) but he has another occupation which he performed to the great pleasure of all attending the party Thursday evening of convention week -- that of a singer, and in particular, Elvis.

Silguero has played music since he was 10 years old and says "the piano is my instrument." He used to do a few Elvis songs and so one year his wife made him a cape and scarf for his birthday. From there, he developed a 15 minute Elvis skit which he has performed at a GE Convention and many other events.

Silguero has a seven-piece band with a horn section, "a variety band actually. We play country, Motown, Tex/Mex, Big Band. One night we play at a country club, then maybe a hoedown and then maybe a Mexican wedding. Two other members from my lodge are in the band. We also do a Blues Brothers skit."

With his wife Janet, Silguero has three children, Lisa, age 24, Israel, age 20, who is in the Marines and Serena, age 13.

MWPL Awards

Highest Contributing Member -- William Glisson

Highest Contributing Full-Time Officer -- Tony Wheeler

Highest Contributing Retiree -- James P. Cassese (accepted by Perry Geller).

Highest Contributing System -- AT&SF -- Accepted by Mark Hemphill, General Chairman.

Highest Contributing Lodge -- 2414 -- Accepted by Mike Thomas and John Rutherford.

Outstanding Legislative Director or Assistant Legislative Director -- Wayne Young, Montana.

Union Plus Scholarship Awarded to BMWE Recipient

Andrea Renee Bushman, age 19, was among 109 award winners from 37 AFL-CIO unions to win Union Plus scholarships this year. A $1,000 check was presented to her at the convention by Michelle King from Union Privilege, who also read Andrea's winning application essay.

Having played school with her sister since they were little, Andrea's ambition is to be an art teacher. This combines her creative talent -- she designs jewelry and bakes -- with her desire to help kids. Andrea currently attends Sauk Valley College in Dixon, Illinois.

Andrea and her sister Denise, age 16, are the daughters of Harriet and Kent Bushman. Kent Bushman, a BMWE member of Lodge 1152 for 27 years has also served 19 years as an elected officer.

Secretary-Treasurer Bill LaRue encouraged the delegates to match the scholarship by donating and by raffling off a MWPL watch and a signed, numbered, framed poster by artist Mark Priest. More than $2,300 was collected which was divided between Andrea and Joey Krystle Montoya.

Joey is the daughter of Joey I. Montoya, a member of Lodge 1501.

A national honor scholar with a 4.25 G.P.A., Joey was valedictorian of her recent Sierra Grande High School graduating class in Fort Garland, Colorado. She also received an award for 13 years of perfect attendance. Joey's many extra-curricular activities include co-captain of both volleyball and basketball teams, volunteer swimming instructor, ballet, tap and jazz dancer for 11 years, and community outreach volunteer.

Joey plans to attend Adams State College in Alamosa with a double major in biology and marketing.