FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 16, 2010

PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS OF ALABAMA & THE BIRMINGHAM FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, LOCAL 117 ENDORSE REP. HILLIARD

Birmingham, AL – The Professional Fire Fighters of Alabama and the Birmingham Fire Fighters Association, Local 117 endorsed State Representative Earl Hilliard, Jr. in the race for Alabama’s 7^th Congressional District.

In making the endorsement, Dale Wyatt, the State President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Alabama stated that “our organization has a strong working relationship with Representative Hilliard and we know he understands the issues concerning our union in Alabama.  We’ve enjoyed working with him in Montgomery and look forward to being able to call on him in Washington.”

“The Professional Fire Fighters play a tremendously important role in our communities and I have always enjoyed working to ensure that they are protected with the necessary equipment, resources, and legislation to allow them to safely protect our families and serve our communities. It is an honor and a pleasure for me to have their trust and support,” stated Rep. Hilliard.

The Professional Fire Fighters Association of Alabama represents approximately 2,300 members statewide at 33 locals, including over 400 members of the Birmingham Fire Fighters Association, Local 117.  A longtime friend of public safety personnel, Rep. Hilliard has worked with the state’s first responders on legislative agenda issues and to secure funding for equipment upgrades and operations.

Rep. Hilliard was a 2008 delegate for President Barack Obama.  He currently serves as the State Representative for Alabama District 60, representing parts of Western Birmingham, and as a Vice Chairman of the Labor and Economic Development Committee with the National Conference of State Legislators.  Recognized as a leader amongst his peers, Rep. Hilliard received the 2009 Rising Star and 2009 Father of the Year awards from the Birmingham Area chapter of the NAACP, was named a 2009 Legislative Conservationist of the Year by the Alabama Wildlife Foundation, and was selected as the 2008 Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Alabama House Democratic Caucus.  He is married, has two children and is a member of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church of North Pratt.

Rep. Earl Hilliard, Jr. has also been endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee, the American Postal Workers Union and the Alabama State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Central Alabama Building and Construction Trades Council: Asbestos Workers local 78, Boilermakers local 108, Bricklayers local 1, Carpenters local 127, Electrical Workers locals 136 & 443, Elevator Constructors local 24, Operating Engineers local 312, Laborers local 559, Millwrights local 1192, Painters local 57, Plumbers locals 91, 52 & 498, Sheet Metal Workers local 48, Sprinkler Fitters local 669, Structural Iron Workers local 92, and the Teamsters local 612 unions.  For more information about Rep. Hilliard visit his website at www.HilliardForCongress.com or become a fan of ‘Earl Hilliard, Jr.’ on Facebook.