[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 154 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S14769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        AWARD OF PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM TO WALTER REUTHER

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. president, today the President is awarding, 
posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Walter Reuther. I 
wish to add my voice to the chorus honoring this fine man, who 
dedicated his life to helping the working men and women of America. 
Walter Reuther, son of immigrants, tool and die worker, labor organizer 
and President of the UAW lived for the union movement.
  My own father was a UAW member, so I know full well the many benefits 
working families gained from Walter Reuther's leadership. Higher wages, 
better benefits and safer working conditions all resulted from Mr. 
Reuther's tireless work on behalf of workers. My father achieved the 
respect he deserved and our family and our neighbors achieved a decent 
life in part because of Walter Reuther's efforts.
  At one point Mr. Reuther was shot in the back for his positions and 
actions. Despite the dangers, and the pain, he carried on. He refused 
to be cowed by bullies or by anybody else. He would fight for the 
workers in whom he believed, no matter what the cost. His determination 
made him, more than any other man, the one responsible for unionization 
of the auto industry.
  Committed to helping workers, he nonetheless avoided political 
extremism, purging his own union of its extremist elements and making 
it safe for good, honest Americans.
  Walter Reuther died in 1970. He and his wife were victims of a plane 
accident. But his union survives, as does his vision of a society in 
which working men and women are given their proper respect.
  On behalf of the people of Michigan allow me to express our gratitude 
to the President for bestowing this honor on one of our own, and to 
Walter Reuther for his inspiring contribution to our way of life; a 
contribution that makes him most worthy of this Presidential Medal of 
Freedom.

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