Shel Roodman was our Director at Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago in the '70s.
A really good guy and while he was not without his controversies, I appreciated what he did for this organization. I worked at LAF from 1973 through 1995 when we moved to Washington, D.C., I couldn't miss this occasion and sang this at the big farewell party.
There are several tunes in it, but the are all well known.
Jim Trainor was the head of Illinois Department of Public Aid, an agency that was a frequent defendant in our actions, the union references refer to the efforts of some LAF lawyers to unionize, and Reagan and Gingrich were among the Republicans who were making life a lot harder for our clients.
For Sheldon Roodman, June 8, 2007
[Tune: Oh Susannah]
Oh, he took the helm of LAF in 1977,
And he thought his home on Dearborn Street,
Was just one step from Heaven.
The clients smiled, while lawyers filed
Their motions and their briefs.
And he never once imagined that there could be any beefs!
But now he’s older, wiser, he’s learned a thing or two –
So just for fun, I’d like to run, some history by you!
Well he took on Mr. Trainor, and all of Public Aid,
Then he fixed his sights on landlords, who did not make the grade.
Fa-mi-lies and children came to know his helping hand,
As did prisoners and workers, and new folks in this land.
But Reagan, and Gingrich, and others went “chop-chop”
And there were other problems too that never seemed to stop!
[Segue to "Union Label" ]
Because – they soon wore, the union label,
When they were trying a federal case.
There’s no disguising, that organizing,
Could wipe the smile off, the most benign director’s face –
But somehow, we all lived through it,
And now by golly, we all get along!
And just remember, if you are able,
The union still has the very best of songs!
Spoken: But all the while, in some evil quarters –
some mean people were saying:
["Give me Some Men"]
Give us restrictions, some iron-clad restrictions,
To pin LAF to the wall!
Lobbying must go, and some people we know,
Should not have legal counsel at all!
Oh, scuttle class actions, we want satisfaction,
That only the status quo brings,
Who’s this Sheldon Roodman guy?
We’re going to clip his wings!
Who’s this Sheldon Roodman guy?
We’re going to clip his wings!
[Spoken]: But Shel Roodman wasn’t stopped!
And he led us on and on, higher and higher,
Always dreaming of the day,
When we would reach the very summit,
Where nine ladies and gentlemen,
Nicely dressed in basic black,
Would tell those evil people ...
[Stop in the Name of Love]
Stop, in the name of Law!
Before you break his heart!
Think it over!
[Spoken] And so, in summation, I would respectfully submit,
and may it please the crowd, that ---
[Battle Hymn of the Republic]
All the headaches and restrictions
And a budget much too small,
Didn’t stop him for one moment,
Sheldon still kept standing tall!
So let’s drink to him today,
And raise our glasses one and all –
Thank you Shel for all you’ve done!
[motion everyone to join in on "we thank you"]
For your thirty years, we thank you!
For your diligence, we thank you!
For your leadership, we thank you!
Now get out and have some fun!
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