[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    TRIBUTE TO BARBARA KLEINSCHMITT

                                 ______


                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 1994

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Barbara 
Kleinschmitt, who for years has been a leader in the fight for 
teachers' rights. Since 1983, when she became the founding president of 
the American Federation of Teachers Staff Guild, Barbara has dedicated 
herself to the cause of working men and women. There are many teachers 
who owe a large debt of gratitude to Barbara for her efforts.
  It could have been predicted that Barbara would eventually play a 
prominent role in union activities. Her father organized steel workers 
in Chicago, and attended the founding convention of the Congress of 
Industrial Organizations. Her mother was a member of the International 
Ladies Garment Workers' Union. Compassion for the working men and women 
of America is in Barbara's blood.
  After 20 years working in various secretarial positions, Barbara took 
a job as an instructional assistant at Los Angeles Valley College, 
where she remains employed to this day. In the 1980's, a time of some 
hostility toward unions, Barbara commenced her involvement with 
teachers. Along with her role as AFT College Staff Guild President, she 
became vice president of the California Federation of Teachers and a 
member of the Coalition of Labor Union women.
  In the last decade Barbara has made some major contributions on labor 
issues, including negotiating three collective bargaining contracts, 
assisting in 1994 police guild negotiations and negotiating a health/
safety article on Video Display Terminals.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Barbara Kleinschmitt, a 
selfless and dedicated advocate for working people. She is an 
inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________