[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 117 (Wednesday, July 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           MORTON BAHR: LEADER OF THE AMERICAN LABOR MOVEMENT

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 1995
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the 
outstanding leaders of the American labor movement, as well as a dear 
friend. Morton Bahr has been extraordinarily influential and effective 
in fighting to advance the cause of the American worker. For Morty, 
greater worker empowerment has been a lifelong commitment, a commitment 
that culminated with this election to the presidency of the 
Communications Workers of America in an especially demanding period for 
the communications industry, as well as organized labor.
  Morty has made worker training and education programs a top priority 
in his struggle for a better educated and more productive workforce. 
Moreoever, he has sought to bridge the gap between management and 
workers by bring the workers into the decisionmaking arena, 
contributing, in this way, to the development of a more responsible and 
efficient labor force.
  The globalization of the economy poses a unique challenge to the 
American economy in general and the American worker in particular. 
Morty, through his membership in the Executive Committee of the Postal, 
Telegraph and Telephone International, has managed to represent the 
interests of the American workers and secure their competitiveness in 
the world market.
  Morty, in addition to being the champion of the C.W.A., has made 
invaluable contributions to many worthwhile causes. As one of the 
founders and a cochairman of the ``Jobs with Justice'' community-labor 
action coalition group, as vice chairman of the United Way Board of 
Governors and also as an executive committee member of the Democratic 
National Committee, he has offered service to the economic and 
political life of the community as a whole.
  People have often referred to Morty as one of the most influential 
leaders in the American labor movement, a designation which is fully 
accurate and well deserved. I rise today to honor Morty's many 
wonderful accomplishments and ask my colleagues to join me in extending 
our heartfelt appreciation for his leadership.


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