In a tremendous show of support for federal employees and the union that represents them, AFGE members and leaders received an unprecedented number of invitations to the State of the Union address on Feb. 5.

A total of 10 AFGE leaders, activists, and members attended the State of the Union Address as invited guests of senators and representatives from across party lines and the country.

They were in attendance to hear President Trump’s first national address since the conclusion of the 35-day shutdown that cost the economy $11 billion -- $3 billion of which we will never recover -- and led to 800,000 federal workers going without pay. Those AFGE members in attendance include:

• Sajid Shahriar, AFGE Local 3258, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
• Monica Hughes, AFGE Local 332, with Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania
• J. David Cox Sr., AFGE National President, with Rep. Anthony Brown of Maryland
• Dr. Everett Kelley, AFGE National-Secretary Treasurer, with Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia
• Ken Krebs, AFGE Local 3347, with Rep. David Price of North Carolina
• Dave Sherman, AFGE Local 1260, with Rep. Raul Ruiz of California
• Ralph Velez, AFGE Local 556, with Rep. Val Demings of Florida
• Marion Kennedy Jr., AFGE Local 200, with Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey
• Frank Lagunas, AFGE Local 704, with Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois
• Alana Lewis, AFGE Legislative and Political Organizer, with Rep. Dwight Evans of Pennsylvania

AFGE thanks all the members of Congress who invited these dedicated public servants to attend the State of the Union Address with them.

“Our sisters and brothers joined the federal workforce because they believe in public service. They should be allowed to work and paid for their work – not leveraged by politicians seeking to further their own agenda,” Cox said. “The work our public servants do is vital to the health and stability of our nation. On behalf of AFGE, I want to sincerely thank all the members of Congress who took this opportunity to highlight the issues facing federal workers -- 800,000 of whom just went through an extraordinary period of hardship.”