[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 80 (Wednesday, June 22, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      TRIBUTE TO JAMES L. QUILLIN

  Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to a giant 
of California's labor movement. Jim Quillin recently announced his 
retirement as executive secretary-treasurer of the California 
Conference of Machinists, after more than 30 years serving the working 
men and women of California. On June 27, Jim will be honored in 
Honolulu at the 56th Annual Western States Conference of Machinists.
  After completing his education at UCLA, Jim began his professional 
career at Lockheed and embarked on his lifelong involvement in the 
labor movement. From 1961 to 1969, Jim was a business representative of 
District Lodge 727 of the International Association of Machinists and 
Aerospace Workers. In this position, he represented workers in 
grievances and also participated in arbitration and contract 
negotiations.
  In 1969, Jim was elected president of District Lodge 727, and for 6 
years he represented over 20,000 workers in the aerospace industry 
throughout the State.
  As executive secretary-treasurer of the California Conference of 
Machinists, Jim has represented more than 100,000 workers in the 
aerospace industry. Mr. President, as you well know, California has 
been hit especially hard by downsizing in our defense, and the 
aerospace industry has truly suffered. Jim has presided over this 
difficult time and his organization has taken a leading role in 
retraining displaced workers for other careers in aerospace and other 
high-technology industries.
  Jim Quillin has combined his commitment to working men and women with 
a deep sense of public service. In 1975, he was appointed by Gov. Jerry 
Brown as California's Labor Commissioner. He served in this position 
for 6 years, ensuring that the concerns of labor were addressed by 
State government. Last year Jim was appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson to a 
bipartisan task force, which brought business and labor leaders 
together to recommend some much needed changes in California's workers' 
compensation system. The end result was stiffer penalties for those 
abusing the system and increased benefits for those truly injured.
  Finally, through the years Jim has been involved in many community 
service organizations, including the United Way of Los Angeles, the 
International Guiding Eyes, and Project California, where he and other 
leaders are trying to enhance the transportation and telecommunications 
industries of my State. Not only will the labor movement miss Jim 
Quillin and his leadership, but the State of California will miss his 
many years of service.

                          ____________________