CAT Tracks Editor's Note:

By the nature of their positions, union presidents tend to be the "lightning rod" of the organization. As the phrase "Don't shoot/kill the messenger" implies, delivering "bad news" - i.e. the grievances of the membership - to the administration is risky business. Often the president is subjected to subtle if not outright blatant reprisals.

Bill Edwards suffered such a fate at the hands of the administration of Cairo School District Number One...

...and never blinked, even when the stress adversely affected his health.

When I embarked on my "career" as president of CAT, Bill took me aside and offered words of support, "just do what you know is right."

A final "Thank You, Bill, for your service."