AFGE Local 704 Scholarship 2018 Essay Competition

On By Michael J. MikulkaIn AFGE1 Comment

AFGE Local 704 2018 Scholarship Essay Announcement Flyer (PDF)

“What would you say in defending a citizen’s rights to a clean and healthy environment and what efforts would you recommend to influence legislators or the public to take action to address environmental concerns that will achieve accountability and restoration?”

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  1. A high school senior or college student with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) based on a 4.0 GPA scale is eligible to apply. A copy of most recent report card or unofficial/official transcripts would be needed to verify CGPA.
  2. A photocopy of a valid school identification of current enrollment.
  3. A letter of recommendation from a school official (counselor, teacher, principal, Dean of Students, etc.).
  4. A 1,000 word, double-spaced, typed essay on the essay topic stated above.
  5. Applicants are not eligible if they have received two prior scholarship awards.
  6. The applicant or a parent/legal guardian must be a member of AFGE, Local 704.

Participants need to complete the AFGE Local 704 2018 Scholarship Essay Competition Application (PDF) and other required documents that must be mailed by close of business on Friday, May 18, 2018 to the following address:

AFGE Local 704
Attention:  Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 0799
Chicago, IL 60690-0799

All information will be kept confidential.  For additional information, contact AFGE Local 704, Attention: Shari Holloway, Chair, Scholarship Committee at 312-886-6778 or holloway.shari@epa.gov

The winners will be notified by Friday, June 8, 2018 by the Scholarship Committee.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) ® is the largest federal employee union that offers legal representation, legislative advocacy and other services to government workers nationwide and overseas. AFGE Local 704 has established five $1000.00 scholarships to provide financial support to 12th grade high school students or college students who desire to excel in their educational career.

Statement: AFGE 704: Proposed EPA budget cuts will mortally wound environment, local economies

On By Michael J. MikulkaIn AFGE, Economy, Government Employees, UnionsLeave a comment

CHICAGO (March 16, 2017)–Following is a statement from Michael Mikulka, President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704, the union representing employees of the Environmental Protection Agency Region 5, in response to the drastic proposed Trump administration cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency budget:

“These cuts amount to the White House sending a wrecking ball into the heart of the Environmental Protection Agency–and they’ll put American lives at risk.

“The cuts would cripple EPA employees’ ability to do our duty to protect the nation’s natural and economic health. Communities across the country could now be subject to long-banned practices such as the dumping of industrial and mining waste and untreated sewage into lakes, streams and rivers. Wildlife and fish populations will likely be reduced, and human health will be directly damaged as a result of dropping longstanding environmental safeguards. And make no mistake: if these cuts are implemented, the safety of the nation’s drinking water and the air we breathe will be at stake.

“The proposed federal budget would shift the responsibility for water, land and air quality to the states and localities; but that is nothing more than a pipedream. The White House must face the hard truth that states are already struggling and lack the capacity to manage these programs. Here in Illinois, we’ve been without a state budget whatsoever for two years.

“EPA Region 5 manages the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, for which funding has been zeroed out in this proposal. The Great Lakes are the biggest fresh-water supply on the planet and source the drinking water for most of the Midwest. For recreation, health and safety, the protection of the Great Lakes ought to be top priority. Instead, they are being slashed. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin will be in grave danger as a result.

“We urge lawmakers in Washington to roundly reject these EPA cuts, and protect human health and the environment for all Americans.”

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