Richard L. Trumka, the president of the 12.5-million-member AFL-CIO passed away last week at the age of 72. Trumka, of Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, was a third-generation coal miner, who left for a law degree and came back to fight for his community. In 1982, at the age 33, President Trumka ran on a reform ticket and was elected the youngest president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). President Trumka was elected AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer in 1995, and held that post until 2009, when he was elected president. He headed the labor movement’s efforts to create an economy based on broadly shared prosperity and to hold elected officials and employers accountable to working families.

He will be remembered in the White House and the halls of Congress: where he fought on the national stage and walked away with historic legislative victories for workers’ rights and health care. He will be remembered at the United Mine Workers of America: where he refused to back down against Pittston Coal Company and Peabody Coal, winning fair contracts for thousands of mineworkers across the country. In addition, he will be remembered on every picket line, in every fight to better the lives of working people.

At this time, please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.