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IAM RETIREE
CLIMBS EVEREST
From the IAM Journal Summer 2001

"Leave nothing but footprints,: is the motto of today's mountain climbers. For Bob Hoffman, former IAM Shop Steward in San Francisco's Local 1781, it is a personal commitment. It has taken him to the slopes of Mt. Everest four times to clean up what some call the "highest garbage dump in the world."

On Hoffman's 1998 trip, his third expedition, his group reached the summit and also removed 236 spent fuel canisters, 216 oxygen bottles and more than 3,000 pounds of garbage left behind by previous climbers. This trip was the only one where Hoffman reached the summit and the only time he had his "lucky IAM patch" with him.

Bob returned to the world's highest mountain in 2000 to lead another clean-up effort. His team removed hundreds of additional bottles, batteries and fuel canisters. He is currently planning a fifth expedition and "final sweep" for the Spring of 2002.

IAM MEMBER A 'GUARDIAN ANGEL'

Saving lives is all in a day's work for "Guardian
Angel" Carlos Ortiz, a Park Ranger at El Dorado Park,
Long Beach, California

Carlos Ortiz, an El Dorado Park Ranger for the City of Long Beach, California, is a real life saver. Three times in his career this member of Local 1930 has come to the rescue.

Last Summer, Ortiz was on his way home at 1 a.m. and noticed an Anaheim police officer trying to stop a vehicle. He got separated from the two and made a U-turn. He then found officer Thomas Casey wounded and on the ground.

After calling for help, Ortiz held the officers' head and used his own shirt to stop the bleeding. Several passing vehicles ignored his calls for help but Ortiz kept at it until paramedics arrived.

Ortiz also saved a four month-old baby who almost died of heat stroke. Another time, when a man attempted suicide by jumping into a river at the park, Ortiz and fellow Ranger Fred Guzman jumped into the water to save him. Carlos Ortiz has truly earned the reputation as a Guardian Angel.

 

 


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