UNITED WAY'S KEVIN BYXBEE HONORED AS
LABOR COUNCIL'S PERSON OF THE YEAR

BRIDGEPORT, CT - (December 10, 2003) Whether it's quietly collecting thousands of toys for needy children, organizing volunteers for benefit motorcycle rallies or advising area employees about available support services when they face layoffs, Kevin Byxbee always exemplifies the spirit of service to his community.

These and his many other efforts may all be considered part of a day's work for Byxbee, who serves as United Way of Eastern Fairfield County's Director, Community Resource Development and AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison, but his good works have not gone unrecognized by his peers across Fairfield County.

Byxbee was recently honored as the Fairfield Labor Council's 2003 Labor Person of the Year. The award was presented by Thomas A. Wilkinson; President of the Fairfield County Labor Council, just moments after Byxbee completed this year's collection of toys for the annual 211- Infoline, United Way toy drive for Bridgeport area children.

The award read in part; 'In appreciation of your tireless efforts to enhance the dignity and respect of working people and their families. Your integrity and kindness make a positive difference to distressed workers. You play an essential role by offering encouragement where there are no easy solutions and sympathy when there is pain.'

Aside from his day-to-day responsibilities assisting with campaign and community resource development, Byxbee conducts programs in conjunction with the Dept. of Labor, Career Resources, and the Dept of Economic Development for workers who are being laid off due to companies that are closing, or experiencing massive reductions with their workforce. Byxbee, who is a veteran of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps also works locally with veterans in transition.
Byxbee resides in West Haven with his wife. He also has two college-age daughters.

Besides the Person of the Year Award, which was presented at the Labor Council's December Meeting Dec. 15, Teamsters Local 1150 received the 2003 appreciation award for their part with the School to Career Mentoring Program which allows high school students to work in a manufacturing setting for the summer.

The labor council represents more than 20,000 members from over 45 private and public sector unions within Fairfield County. For further information, please contact: Andrea Kovacs, Sr. VP, Marketing and Community Relations at United Way, 334-5106, ext. 309 or via email (preferred) at akovacs@thewaytocare.org.