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The
written transcript delivered by IABPFF President Joseph B. Muhammad
on Saturday, February 12, 2011. The occasion was the installation
of officers and executive board of the Progressive Firefighters
Association of Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Installed,
Involved, and Engaged “God of our weary years, God of our
silent tears; thou who has brought us thus far along the way; Thou
who has by thy might, lead us into the light; keep us forever on
the path we pray.”
Behold, how good it is for brothers and sisters to dwell together
in unity! Tonight’s gala event would not have been made possible
without the hard work of the Progressive Firefighters Association,
Inc. of Miami Dade County (PFA) and those who assisted them. Let’s
give them a deserving round of applause.
To: Outgoing President Elizabeth Ison; Incoming President Keith
Bell and your Executive Board; SER Director Lindsey Plummer; National
Political Action Chairperson Faye Davis; members of the BCOC and
BWFS; Family, Friends, Guests, and Dignitaries…
I must reiterate how good it is to be in the “Sunshine State”.
So good for me in fact, because of the extraordinary snow storms
I have experienced this winter, it reminds me of the movie “Harlem
Nights”.
Do you remember the scene where the Policeman calls his son on the
phone after he installed, involved and engaged in sunshine? He told
his son to tell his mother that he was never coming home. Well,
because of the sunshine and great hospitality I’ve received
since I’ve been here, I call my son last night and told him
to tell his mother that I am never coming home…
On behalf of the 5200 mighty men and wonderful women of the IABPFF,
it is my pleasure to be a part of this fine PFA Installation Banquet
and Gala. Before the swearing in of officers, I would like to take
a brief moment to press on your minds the significance of tonight
and what it means to our success or not.
First, the younger firefighters must know today is the best day
of the rest of your lives. It will also help you to know the symbolism
behind the uniqueness of our IABPFF Maltese Cross. The colors are
red, black, and green and if you think about it, then you’ll
know what I mean. The red representing the PFA’s 33 years
of shifting gears, facing fears, receiving cheers, and blood, sweat
and tears. The Black represents a people with a rich heritage and
invaluable legacy. Yet being black is not a color; it is the essence
from which all other colors come. Being black is also culture, consciousness,
and a corresponding connectedness to the Creator. The green represents
the hope and the wealth we have always had from the “Motherland”
Africa, until now. The fist represents the power and strength we
would have if we unified, oppose to 5 individual fingers. And the
flame is what we all must go through to be purified, and personified
with purpose. This symbolism is about getting installed, involved,
and engaged. Is that right?
I also must tell you what to consider if you decide to accept the
passing of the baton from those “Founders” who have
contributed by serving, soldiering, sacrificing and solidarity.
1) Use your time to develop your talent. Time management is critical
as we move forward. 2) Study; whether it is IFSTA, NFPA, NFA, EDI
or the upcoming BCOC Symposium, study to show yourself approved
before God being not ashamed. 3) Organize, for all of us have a
role to play. If nothing else, President Obama has brought 2 out
the best in people and the worst. If we don’t understand the
importance of organization today, then shame on us. Do you not agree?
4) Be cognizant of your health to be installed, involved, and engaged
on this level. Our health is our wealth and our wealth is our health.
5) Our struggle is maximized by being installed, involved, and engaged
on a natural high. Our upward mobility is predicated upon the lyrics
of the song, “take to the sky on a natural high, loving you
more until the day I die”.
Or
we could consider these particular lyrics in the third verse to
“Lift Every Voice”: “lest our feet stray from
the places where we met thee, lest our hearts, drunk with the wine
of the world we forget thee…” To be as fortunate as
we are to have careers in the fire service profession, and not be
installed, involved, and engaged is selfish. Some of us have gotten
drunk by the wine of the world and forgotten who helped us to get
where we are today. Word on the street is “negroes sure act
funny when they get a little money”. Too many of us have stray
from the places where we met, and can’t find our way back
because we have been blinded by money, music, sex, and substance
abuse. Today is the anniversary of “Lift Every Voice”,
let’s celebrate it by getting installed, involved and engaged.
Lastly, Brother Levi Thomas asked us earlier to remember the Rev.
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., the civil and human rights movement; and
where we would be if it were not for his desire and others like
him who accepted the challenge to be installed, involved, and engaged.
Dr. King often times said, “The ultimate measure of a man
is not where he stands in times of comfort and convenience. The
ultimate measure of a man is where he stands in times of challenge
and controversy.” Tonight is the time to get installed,
involved and engaged, for it is the best time of the rest of your
life. Dr. King is also frequently quoted, “Injustice anywhere
is a threat to justice everywhere.” Think about, be about
it, and “Keep the Fires Burning for Justice!”
On
behalf of the IABPFF and my family, I thank you and your family
for allowing me to share these few, and hopefully encouraging words.
Now it gives me great pleasure along with the assistance of SER
Director Plummer to install the Officers and Executive Board of
the Progressive Firefighters Association,
Inc. of Miami Dade County, Florida.
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