[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              JOHN SHEEHAN: VOICE FOR WORKING MEN AND WOMEN

                                 ______


                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an active advocate 
for working men and women in Minnesota.
  John Sheehan, business manager and financial secretary-treasurer for 
Twin Cities Local 512 of the International Association of Bridge, 
Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers since 1984 and a symbol of the 
best of the American labor movement, will retire on February 1, 1995.
  John, who was born, reared and still resides in Minnesota's Fourth 
Congressional District, has served working men and women and Local 512 
for more than 4 decades, first as a journeyman ironworker and for the 
last 20 years as an elected officer of Local 512.
  During his tenure as a Local 512 officer, John not only has struggled 
to make the ironworker's lofty workplace safer, but to ensure that his 
brothers and sisters are well trained, fairly paid, and attain a 
retirement with dignity. John played a significant role in securing 
both health and welfare and pension plans that are second to none in 
the building trades.
  John has fulfilled his responsibilities as a union official, 
Minnesota AFL-CIO vice president, and community and political activist 
with courage and compassion. Not only have John's contributions earned 
him the thanks of his brother and sister ironworkers, but they've won 
him the respect of trade unionists from throughout the Midwest area.
  As Fourth District Congressman, I have had the privilege of working 
with John on many issues of concern to working men and women. From 
striker replacement legislation to the enforcement of the Davis Bacon 
law, John has been a consistent and effective advocate of workers' 
rights.
  Throughout his career, John Sheehan's mission has always been to 
promote the interests and improve the lives of working men and women. 
He has succeeded well in his quest, and Minnesota workers will continue 
to reap the benefits of John's accomplishments long after his 
retirement.
  John Sheehan has made a real difference for people from the training 
of construction workers to improved safety, wages, and benefits. These 
are the highquality products of a skilled tradesmen. John Sheehan is 
emblematic of today's ironworker--a craft and trade that is shaping 
America's built environment with the latest technology and knowhow on 
the job and in the construction workplace. Well done, John Sheehan. We 
owe you our thanks, and wish you and your family a happy, well earned 
retirement in the years ahead!

                          ____________________