Clyde Fitzgerald Named 2010 Maritime Person of the Year at Annual Gala

In celebration of 50 years of service to the International Longshoremen’s Association, AFL-CIO, Clyde Fitzgerald was honored by the Greater Houston Port Bureau and the Maritime Exchange of the West Gulf, Inc. at the annual maritime gala on August 21. Fitzgerald, president of the ILA’s South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District, was named 2010 Maritime Person of the Year at the 81st annual event held at the Houston Club.

Fitzgerald began working as a longshoreman at age 16, following the example of his father and two uncles. Moving up in the ranks, in 1969, he was elected president of Local 1330, which eventually merged with Local 28. He continued to be re-elected as president for the next 20 years. Fitzgerald went on to serve as secretarytreasurer in 1991 for the ILA’s South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District. He was unanimously elected president of the district in 2002 and re-elected to a third term during this year’s 89th ILA convention in Savannah, Georgia.

Port Commission Chairman James T. Edmonds presented Fitzgerald with a proclamation, recognizing him for his distinguished and dedicated service to the ILA.

“Clyde Fitzgerald is the leader who has been looking out for his fellow ILA members while promoting solidarity for a half century,” Edmonds said.