As we approach the 1998 elections, it is time to take a good look at ways we can mobilize voters to be assured of electing labor-endorsed candidates in key races -- senate, house and gubernatorial.

One of the ways to do this is to support the A. Philip Randolph Institute's (APRI) Memorial Fund so that they may be better able to mobilize African-American voter participation in the 1998 elections. The black vote has historically been a pro-labor vote and the core components of the APRI's political operation are: voter registration, voter education and getting out the vote. APRI is in an ideal position to educate and mobilize this key voting group.

The 1996 elections reestablished unions and other allies of working families as a potent force in American elections.

Legislation was proposed in Congress and on the state level to cut Medicaid, reduce Medicare, privatize Social Security, eliminate school lunches for poor children, and more, while handing out tax breaks to the rich.

But APRI joined other labor allies to educate voters on issues that threatened their economic security. APRI was one of the grant recipients who helped the AFL-CIO register 821,000 voters before the 1996 elections. APRI coordinated a record 35 grassroots "get out the vote" operations during the general election. In many locations, APRI ran the largest "get out the vote" operation in minority communities. APRI and its partners distributed more than one million posters, leaflets and door hangers and aired public service announcements on 75 radio stations.

These are just a few of the many reasons why BMWE members are encouraged to support the A. Philip Randolph Memorial Fund and the legacy of A. Philip Randolph, one of the country's foremost labor and civil rights leaders. Randolph founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925 and after a 12-year struggle with the Pullman Company, won a negotiated contract. Randolph is also considered by many to be the father of the modern American civil rights movement.

In 1965 Randolph founded the A. Philip Randolph Institute to promote the "Black Labor Alliance." APRI now has 150 affiliates and tens of thousands of members. These trade union members are active in their unions and in their communities.

To join them and help support their activities, write APRI at 1444 Eye Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005 or phone 202-289-2774 or fax to 202-289-5289. Donations payable to the APREF Memorial Fund can be sent to the same address.