[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TRIBUTE TO HENRY NICHOLAS

                                 ______


                        HON. THOMAS M. FOGLIETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 23, 1994

  Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated, long 
time advocate of organized labor and a very distinguished resident of 
the city of Philadelphia. Henry Nicholas began his career as a labor 
organizer in 1959, when as a worker at Mount Sinai Hospital in 
Manhattan, he led the campaign to organize local 1199 of the Drug and 
Hospital Employees Union. Soon after, he was instrumental in the 1199 
strike which led to the first union contracts for thousands of New York 
City hospital employees.
  By 1969, thanks to Henry's tireless organizational efforts for local 
1199 in New York, the union drive was expanded to the national level, 
with Henry being named as the assistant director for the 1199 National 
Organization Committee. In this role, Henry led hospital worker 
organizational campaigns in Pittsburgh, Ohio, and Detroit. He also 
gained national attention for leading the 113-day hospital strike in 
Charleston, SC, a major event in the struggle for Black civil rights. 
By 1973, the success of the national hospital organizing drive, due in 
large part to Henry's enthusiasm and tireless dedication, led to the 
creation of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, 
with Henry elected as its first secretary-treasurer.
  Henry arrived in Philadelphia that same year and within 2 years won 
contracts for over 5,000 employees of Philadelphia's major health care 
institutions. He also played a key role in winning the right to union 
representation for Pennsylvania hospital workers. Henry's hard work led 
to the chartering of district 1199C, the Philadelphia local of the 
national union by the spring of 1974. This local now represents over 
15,000 hospital and health care employees from 110 institutions in the 
Delaware Valley area. Henry's achievements were recognized in 1981 by 
his election as the second national president of the National Union of 
Hospital and Health Care Employees. Under his leadership, the national 
union has extended its membership to 21 States, the District of 
Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
  Henry has had a profound impact on my district, where he lives. 
Despite all his successes on the national level, he has not abandoned 
north Philadelphia or its people. He has been one of my closest 
advisors, demonstrating great concern for the quality of life for 
health care workers, the homeless, the elderly, and children. Henry has 
emerged as a national spokesman in the fight to preserve quality 
patient care, opposing economic cutbacks in health care and insensitive 
health care reimbursement policies and programs. As the current debate 
on health care reform proceeds, he will continue to be a forceful 
advocate for providers and patients alike in the Philadelphia area.
  In recognition of Henry Nicholas' dedication to his work and 
compassion for his community, I join with his family, friends, 
colleagues, and all members of the National Union of Hospital and 
Health Care Employees in honoring him. He is a true leader for these 
times and a model for us all.

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