[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E 1411]]


                     TRIBUTE TO G. RUSSELL BASSETT

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 1995
  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today 
and pay tribute to a celebrated community servant, Mr. G. Russell 
Bassett. On Friday, July 14, 1995, Russ, along with his friends and 
family, will celebrate his retirement from the Sheet Metal Workers 
Union Local No. 20. This retirement dinner will take place at the 
Radisson Hotel in Merrillville, IN.
  We are all fortunate to have dedicated people, like Russ, involved in 
the labor movement in Indiana's First Congressional District. Indeed, 
Russ personifies true selfless dedication. Russ embarked on his 
distinguished career in former Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 303, where 
in 1970, he began as a business manager. In 1983, local No. 303 merged 
with local No. 20, and in the following year, Russ began 8 years as a 
business representative for the new local. He retired on July 1, 1995, 
after nearly 12 years as a business representative of Sheet Metal 
Workers Union Local No. 20. In all, Russ contributed 39 years of his 
life to fight for labor rights for his union brothers and sisters.
  Russ strengthened the labor movement by contributing in several other 
capacities. For 25 years, Russ served locals Nos. 303 and 20 as a 
trustee for the health and welfare fund, the Gary area pension fund, 
and the joint apprenticeship committee. Moreover, Russ served for 3 
years as vice president and executive board member for local No. 303.
  Outside of his professional career, Russ has devoted a large portion 
of his life to the betterment of northwest Indiana. Russ devoted 5 
years of his life to the Portage Indiana Economic Development 
Commission on which he served as chairman, and another 5 years on the 
Indiana OSHA Safety Review Committee.
  As we have just celebrated the birthday of our Nation's independence, 
let us remember those who have worked hard to fulfill the American 
dream. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Russ, who has worked 
arduously to make this dream possible for others. Russ has proven 
himself to be a distinguished advocate for the labor movement, and he 
has made northwest Indiana a better place in which to live and work. I 
sincerely wish Russ a long, happy, and productive retirement.


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