South Bend Indiana's Jennifer Johnson Receives Inaugural John J. Sweeney Scholarship to University of Ulster in Northern Ireland

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT) and the American Labor Movement announced yesterday that Jennifer Johnson, a US Navy veteran from South Bend, IN, has been selected as the inaugural winner of the John J. Sweeney Scholarship to the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland.

The scholarship was created by the HIT and labor movement as a tribute to Mr. Sweeney, President Emeritus of the AFL-CIO, to celebrate his lifelong advocacy for working families and the labor movement.  Ms. Johnson, who has been a clerk for the US District Court for Northern Indiana in South Bend, will begin her studies this month at the International Conflict Research Institute at the University of Ulster.  She hopes to fulfill her lifelong dream of being a peacekeeper.

Ms. Johnson was honored Wednesday during a breakfast hosted by the HIT and the labor movement at the Hay Adams hotel.  Mr. Sweeney, the retired labor leader, also attended the event and was feted for his many accomplishments.

"I am honored to be here," Ms. Johnson said. "I am humbled and grateful to represent Mr. Sweeney." She vowed to uphold the "values" that labor unions have represented across the globe over the years. Ms. Johnson said that unions have "a deep rooted history" of commitment to the global community.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka applauded Ms. Johnson and paid tribute to Mr. Sweeney. "I get to honor someone who I admire," he said. "I owe a lot to this very humble and caring individual…not only my friend, but my brother and the best labor leader that I have ever known."

Professor Brandon Hamber, who leads the International Conflict Research Institute, called it "a privilege" to work with the HIT and the labor movement in establishing the scholarship in Mr. Sweeney's name. "We are deeply proud of what has been done," he said, noting that the school's leaders were moved by Ms. Johnson's commitment to becoming a peacekeeper who can help calm global conflicts.  "She is deeply committed to making a difference," he said. "These are the students who make the greatest contributions after graduating."

Steve Coyle, CEO of the HIT, also congratulated Ms. Johnson, saying that "it was remarkable what she has done with her life."  Ms. Johnson enlisted in the Navy at age 18 and served for four years, 1992-1996, including the tail end of the gulf war.  She was a boiler technician on the USS Gompers (Alameda, CA) and the USS Simon Lake (Italy) before obtaining an honorable discharge. She attended Indiana University, majoring in criminal justice and also received a certificate in international studies.  After wrapping up her studies at Indiana, she began serving the public again, this time as a clerk for the United States District Court Northern District of Indiana.

In his remarks, Mr. Coyle cited Mr. Sweeney for playing a significant behind the scenes role in bringing peace to Ireland when he served as President of the AFL-CIO.  He also touted Mr. Sweeney's contribution towards improving the quality of life for working families.  "He is an Irish American labor leader who never forgot his roots," Mr. Coyle said.

Contact:
Michael K. Frisby
[email protected] 
202-625-4328

SOURCE AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust