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Chapter 28: The Uninvited Guest
On Labor Day, the weather in Pittsburgh was perfect.
The annual union family barbecue was held in a large park by the Monongahela River.
Hundreds of members from various unions across Pittsburgh and their families gathered there.
The air was filled with the aroma of grilled meat and the scent of beer.
Children chased each other on the grass, while adults clustered in small groups, drinking beer and chatting.
But beneath this seemingly lively scene lingered an undeniable awkwardness.
The main attraction, Democratic Congressman John Murphy, stood on a makeshift stage delivering a long, hollow speech.
"My friends, brothers and sisters of labor!"
Congressman Murphy wore a brand-new blue work shirt, trying to appear more down-to-earth.
"I am proud of you! You are the backbone of this nation! It is your hands that built our great city..."
He recited the same tired clichés he had repeated at every Labor Day event for decades.
Most of the workers below were disengaged.
Frank and his group of old-timers sat in the front row, expressionless as they watched the congressman.
Others were busy scrolling through their phones or chatting with those around them.
Congressman Murphy clearly felt the chill in the air.
His speech grew shorter and more perfunctory.
He just wanted to wrap up this embarrassing event as quickly as possible and head to the next fundraising dinner.
Just as he was about to conclude with "God bless America, God bless the working people of Pittsburgh," Frank Kowalski suddenly stood up from his seat.
He walked straight onto the stage and took the microphone from the stunned congressman.
"Wait a minute, Congressman!"
Frank’s voice boomed through the speakers, echoing across the park.
All eyes instantly turned to the stage.
"Before you leave, we have a young man here who has something important to say—to us, to this city!"
To everyone's surprise, Leo Wallace emerged from the crowd and stepped onto the stage.
A flicker of barely concealed irritation crossed Congressman Murphy’s face.
Of course, he recognized this young man.
He had seen The Heart of Pittsburgh videos and knew about the recent commotion Leo had caused in Pittsburgh.
But he never expected him to show up uninvited at his campaign event.
Leo moved to the center of the stage, facing the hundreds of workers below, and began his speech.
"On the other side of the Allegheny River stands the Edgar Thomson Steel Works, the last major blast furnace still operating in our Pittsburgh area."
"Last month, factory management announced plans to permanently close that furnace by the end of this year due to competition from cheap foreign steel."
"That furnace, Number 1, was first lit by Andrew Carnegie himself in 1875. For nearly 150 years, it has burned on this land."
"A friend of mine has a family that works there. His great-grandfather was one of the first Irish immigrants to come to Pittsburgh; he worked in front of Furnace No. 1 for forty years."
"His grandfather fought in the D-Day invasion and returned to work in front of Furnace No. 1 for another forty years after the war."
"His father, after graduating high school, also joined the factory, working in front of Furnace No. 1 for thirty years."
"Last week, their family received a layoff notice."
"A family that poured three generations of sweat into this city, into this country, dismissed with a single thin piece of paper."
Leo’s words quieted the previously noisy crowd.
Because what he described was the shared fate of every person there—or their parents.
"They tell us this is an inevitable result of globalization, an unyielding rule of the market economy, and that we have no choice but to accept it."
At this moment, Leo’s voice rose passionately.
"But I’m here to tell you—it’s all a lie!"
"Our steelworkers in Pittsburgh once armed a nation with our steel and won two world wars! We built this country’s tallest skyscrapers and longest bridges with our own hands!"
"This city, this land, was watered with our blood and sweat! It doesn’t belong to Wall Street bankers or capitalists who moved factories overseas—it belongs to us!"
"We have the right to demand our history be respected! We have the right to demand our communities be protected! We have the right to demand that the next generation can continue to live here with dignity!"
His speech ignited the emotions of every worker present.
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.
At the end of his speech, Leo turned to the now visibly uncomfortable congressman beside him.
"Congressman Murphy, we respect your twenty-plus years of service to Pittsburgh."
"But today, we don’t need empty promises—we need concrete action!"
"In my hand, I hold a complete plan—a plan to bring federal funds back to Pittsburgh, to protect our remaining industrial heritage, restore our decaying communities, and provide new jobs and hope for the next generation!"
"This plan only needs one person in Washington with enough influence to push open that tightly shut door for us."
He paused, letting all eyes focus on Congressman Murphy.
Then he asked the question that cornered Murphy.
"Today, here, in front of all the steelworkers of Pittsburgh, we have only one question for you."
"Are you still willing to push open that door for us?"
The entire park fell silent.
All the workers’ eyes were fixed on Congressman Murphy.
He was caught in the fiery blaze of expectation.
He knew he had no way out.
If he rejected this young man’s request here, in front of all the media cameras and union members, he would lose union support entirely—and with it, his most crucial base of votes.
His political career would end right there.
If he agreed, he would have to genuinely commit to making this happen.
In that moment, his political fate was forcibly tied to this uncertain venture by a young man in his twenties.
Congressman Murphy looked into Leo’s young, determined eyes.
He glanced at the hopeful yet scrutinizing gazes of the crowd below.
Taking a deep breath, he took the microphone from Leo.
A practiced smile returned to his face.
"Of course!" he shouted to the workers below.
"Of course I’m willing! Serving the working class of Pittsburgh is the honor of my life!"
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