[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 85 (Monday, May 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             SAM MEYERS--A POINT-OF-LIGHT FOR ALL AMERICANS

                                 ______


                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 1995
  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute, local 259 UAW Union 
President Sam Meyers whose life represents a Point-of-Light for all 
Americans. Brooklyn and the 11th Congressional District are 
particularly grateful to Sam Meyers for his early and visionary 
sponsorship of the Brooklyn Coalition for Community Empowerment.
  For over 50 years, Sam Meyers has carried the UAW vision of social 
justice and militant trade unionism in his union and political life.
  He began his journey in the trade union movement in 1940 as a sheet 
metal worker at Brewster Aircraft and as a member of UAW, local 365. 
Soon after, he was elected shop steward, a position he held until 1943 
when he joined the Army Air Corps. The Air Corps later assigned him to 
an orientation team whose purpose was to educate the troops about the 
U.S. war effort to destroy fascism.
  In 1958 Sam led the successful fight to oust a leadership that had 
become too far removed from the membership, and to bring his brand of 
militant and democratic trade unionism to local 259.
  From the time of his election as president of local 259 in 1958 to 
the present, Brother Meyers' passionate vision, leadership and tough 
bargaining have won strong membership support and involvement. 
Surrounded by a committed staff that mirrored the Rainbow Coalition, a 
strong, diverse, and well educated shop steward system was developed. 
The creative use of strikes, family and community support and 
solidarity picket lines helped win for local 259 members higher wages, 
generous welfare and pension benefits, security for their families, a 
nationally recognized mental health and occupational safety program, 
and dignity as industrial workers.
  Sam led aggressive organizing campaigns, not only among the auto 
dealers, local 259's primary jurisdiction, but among low-wage factory 
workers who were predominantly women. Long before it became Government 
policy, the union under its president's leadership pursued affirmative 
action programs to bring people of color and women into union 
leadership.
  Local 259 has been a recognized force in: the civil rights movement, 
the fight for affirmative action, the continuing struggle against 
racism; launching the careers and election of progressive forces to 
public office, including Congress members Major Owens, Charles Rangel, 
former Governor Mario Cuomo and former Mayor David Dinkins, and 
challenging reactionary leadership and regressive social policies 
promoted in Congress and from the offices of New York's Governor and 
the mayor of the city of New York; The struggle for full employment, a 
guaranteed annual income, anti-scab and labor reform legislation, 
universal single payer health care, decent and affordable housing, and 
rigorously enforced occupational safety and health standards.
  Sam served on the board of advocates for Children of New York, and 
helped to train parents and community activists in adapting
 union grievance procedures as a model for school based child advocacy. 
He initiated the first worksite child advocacy training program for 
parent members.

  He brought the union into a partnership with the NYS Division for 
Youth and Advocates for Children to create an auto mechanic training 
program for youths released from DFY facilities.
  In the late 1960's Sam was a cofounder of the New York Labor 
Committee Against the War in Vietnam, and challenged those in high 
labor positions on their support for the war.
  In the early 1970's Brother Meyers helped bring national attention 
through congressional hearings to the impact of plant closings and 
runaway shops, as part of corporate America's wanton disregard of its 
workers at home and abroad.
  There followed over two decades of the union's commitment to 
international labor solidarity. Local 259 championed the forces of 
liberation and democracy in South Africa, Chile, El Salvador, 
Nicaragua, and Haiti. Scores of labor leaders fighting against 
oppression throughout the globe have found safe haven, support, and 
solidarity at Local 259 UAW.
  Sam has treasured being an active member of the International UAW. 
Steeped in the UAW tradition, the union under Brother Meyers' 
leadership linked members' struggles in Local 259 shops and factories 
to the struggle for social justice and human rights everywhere.
  In recognition of Sam's contributions to the UAW, he was appointed 
and served on the Commission for the Future of the UAW, meeting with 
regional representatives throughout the country.
  At a recent UAW convention, Sam was selected to nominate Owen Bieber 
for president.
  Sam's proudest legacy is the next generation of social visionaries 
and militant trade unionists whom he has trained and nurtured to assume 
the leadership of this great UAW local.
  Sam Meyers represents a magnificent Point-of-Light and serves as an 
inspiring role model for all Americans.


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