PORT OF LOS ANGELES RENAMES STREET IN HONOR OF LOS ANGELES HARBOR COMMISSIONER DAVE ARIAN
Portion of Miner Street in San Pedro Becomes ‘Dave Arian Way’
as Tribute to Commissioner and Labor Leader Who Passed Away in 2019
SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Feb. 8, 2020 – Port of Los Angeles officials, community leaders, labor representatives and Harbor area residents gathered on Saturday, Feb. 8, to unveil “Dave Arian Way,” a portion of Miner Street south of 22nd Street in San Pedro renamed to honor the former Los Angeles Harbor Commission vice president and labor icon.
“Angelenos are fortunate that Dave Arian was determined to give back and to serve — from the ILWU to the Harbor Commission,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Dave Arian Way will be an enduring reminder of the power of service and that a strong workforce makes for an even stronger city.”
“Dave Arian was a leader, an advocate, and an activist,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino. “The impact of his life and legacy have reverberated beyond the harbor to labor movements across the country. He is dearly missed and this recognition will serve as a daily reminder of all the ways he made our harbor communities stronger.”
A San Pedro resident and prominent figure in the Los Angeles Harbor community, Arian joined the Harbor Commission in 2010 after serving decades in various leadership positions within the labor movement. During his tenure on the Board, the Port of Los Angeles broke all-time cargo volume records while reducing air emissions, two goals of significant importance to Arian. The highly respected labor leader died of thyroid cancer last January.
“His dedication and contributions to our Port community are beyond measure,” said Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Jaime Lee. “Given the enormous and widespread impact of his leadership, this street renaming serves as a permanent reminder of all he did to shape this Harbor community over the last 40 years.”
“Dave’s vision and legacy will now live on at the LA Waterfront,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “I’m grateful that we are able to bestow such a lasting tribute to honor Dave and his lifetime achievements in advancing the maritime industry, championing local labor, and relentlessly supporting and giving back to his community.”
Arian was a long-time member of the International Longshoreman & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 13, where he held many leadership positions over the years, including three terms as local president. In 1991, he was elected international president of the ILWU at the age of 44. He eventually returned to the docks at the Port of Los Angeles and retired in 2009. Within a year, he was appointed to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners by then-Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and reappointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2013. Arian was also a founder of the Harry Bridges Institute in San Pedro, an organization dedicated to educating younger workers about the labor movement’s rich history and community organizing.
The street renaming took place in the Outer Harbor at the intersection of Miner Street and 22nd Street. Earlier in the day in a private ceremony, a bench at Berth 46 overlooking the Port’s Outer Harbor was dedicated in his memory. The lookout spot over the Harbor was one of Arian’s favorite at the Port.
“Dave Arian was a leader, an advocate, and an activist,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino. “The impact of his life and legacy have reverberated beyond the harbor to labor movements across the country. He is dearly missed and this recognition will serve as a daily reminder of all the ways he made our harbor communities stronger.”
A San Pedro resident and prominent figure in the Los Angeles Harbor community, Arian joined the Harbor Commission in 2010 after serving decades in various leadership positions within the labor movement. During his tenure on the Board, the Port of Los Angeles broke all-time cargo volume records while reducing air emissions, two goals of significant importance to Arian. The highly respected labor leader died of thyroid cancer last January.
“His dedication and contributions to our Port community are beyond measure,” said Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Jaime Lee. “Given the enormous and widespread impact of his leadership, this street renaming serves as a permanent reminder of all he did to shape this Harbor community over the last 40 years.”
“Dave’s vision and legacy will now live on at the LA Waterfront,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “I’m grateful that we are able to bestow such a lasting tribute to honor Dave and his lifetime achievements in advancing the maritime industry, championing local labor, and relentlessly supporting and giving back to his community.”
Arian was a long-time member of the International Longshoreman & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 13, where he held many leadership positions over the years, including three terms as local president. In 1991, he was elected international president of the ILWU at the age of 44. He eventually returned to the docks at the Port of Los Angeles and retired in 2009. Within a year, he was appointed to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners by then-Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and reappointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2013. Arian was also a founder of the Harry Bridges Institute in San Pedro, an organization dedicated to educating younger workers about the labor movement’s rich history and community organizing.
The street renaming took place in the Outer Harbor at the intersection of Miner Street and 22nd Street. Earlier in the day in a private ceremony, a bench at Berth 46 overlooking the Port’s Outer Harbor was dedicated in his memory. The lookout spot over the Harbor was one of Arian’s favorite at the Port.
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