Masonry Magazine March 1979 Page. 6
'79 MCAA CONFERENCE REPORT
Atlanta, Georgia, March 1-6, 1979
One of America's truly giant heroes in space, Col. James B. Irwin, proved he is as adept on the speakers' rostrum as he is at the controls of an extraterrestrial vehicle. The Apollo 15 astronaut delivered a skillful keynote address on March 5 during MCAA's 29th Annual International Masonry Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
Through stirring words and spectacular motion pictures, Col. Irwin related to the audience assembled in the jam-packed Grand Ballroom of the Atlanta Marriott Hotel the apprehensions and exhilaration he felt on his flight through space to a moon landing in July of 1971. The official NASA color film recorded the historic voyage from blast-off at Cape Kennedy to a precarious touch-down on the boulder-strewn surface near the Apennine Mountains of the moon.
Accompanied by crew-mate David R. Scott, Irwin piloted the Falcon to its landing site (within inches of a huge boulder) while Al Worden remained in lunar orbit in the command module Endeavor for the subsequent link-up with Falcon and the journey back to earth. This, the fourth manned lunar landing, was distinguished by the first use of the lunar vehicle Rover, "a nice little million-dollar car with a few extras added," as Irwin put it.
He further displayed his refreshing sense of humor when he described the intricate and marvelous space machinery involved in the Apollo program. He then quipped, "And to think it was all put together by the lowest bidder!"
Col. Irwin's ability to relate his lunar exploits to the ingenuity of man and the continuing technological progress being made on earth impressed many members of the audience. Their comments afterward about his presentation included such one-word summations as "brilliant," "impressive," "meaningful," and "terrific."
As a parting gesture of friendship following his address, which received a standing ovation, Col. Irwin made an unexpected presentation to MCAA President Eugene George of a large color photo of the planting of the American Flag on the moon. (See cover.) The photo was inscribed: "To the Mason Contractors Association of America and President Gene-My Best Wishes from the Moon." It was signed, Jim Irwin, Apollo 15.
Additional Conference Highlights
The MCAA Conference, which ran from March 1 through 6, also had four other noteworthy highlights:
* A highly informative pre-Conference Labor Relations Seminar on "Negotiations/79."
* The presentation of three Lead Man Awards, the Association's highest honor.
* The well-attended MCAA Educational Trade Show and Masonry Industry Showcase.
* The MCAA Annual Conference Banquet, which featured superb entertainment.
"Negotiations/79," a one-day clinic attended by 45 mason contractors and/or their representatives, was devoted to a frank examination and explanation of legal rights relating to management and employees. The program was conducted by two recognized authorities in the labor relations field-Charles A. Kothe, dean of the School of Law, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Okla., and George L. Plumb of Pedersen & Houpt, MCAA legal counsel based in Chicago, Ill.
The speakers reviewed the history of labor laws that apply to contract negotiations and covered topics, among others.