[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 26 (Thursday, February 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO LAWRENCE J. SCHWARTZ

                                 ______


                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 1995
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to honor a good 
friend and community leader who passed away this week--Lawrence 
Schwartz, or Larry to all of his many friends.
  I count Larry as one of my closest personal friends and mentors. He 
was, first and foremost, an educator--like myself, a history professor. 
He taught U.S. history and political science at San Diego City College 
from 1966 to 1987, when he left to become president of the San Diego 
Community College Guild, Local 1931, of the American Federation of 
Teachers.
  As the nation's chief negotiator, Larry established a degree of 
civility in negotiation that has carried through to today. Faculty 
salaries at San Diego community colleges increased by 40 percent 
between 1987 and 1991, due in large part to Larry's rapport and 
negotiation with administrators.
  He never lost touch with students, however. They recognized that 
Larry's deep involvement with the issues of the day gave depth, 
conviction, and meaning to his teaching. They responded to the 
substance of Larry's courses precisely because he gave life to 
traditionally dry and purely academic exercises.
  We both had roots in New York, and our lives converged again in the 
1960's when we joined the civil rights movement. Larry was active for 
years in Democratic political campaigns and served as a delegate to the 
National Democratic Convention in 1972. He served on the local 
executive board of the American Civil Liberties Union. He led protests 
against the Vietnam war.
  He was held in high esteem by his students, well respected by his 
peers, and recognized statewide for his work. He was dearly loved by 
his friends and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, 
Rosalie, and his children.
  Educator, union negotiator, activist, husband, father, and friend--
Larry had a special bond with everyone he met. He believed, as I do, 
that one person can make a difference--and his life was a living 
example of that belief.
  We need many more people like Larry Schwartz. He will be missed.
  

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