[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 166 (Wednesday, October 25, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S15704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ELECTION OF JOHN J. SWEENEY AS PRESIDENT OF THE AFL-CIO

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, for the past three months, two of 
the nation's foremost labor leaders, John J. Sweeney and Thomas R. 
Donahue, have campaigned for the presidency of the AFL-CIO. This 
afternoon in New York City at the AFL-CIO's biennial convention, the 
delegates chose Mr. Sweeney. I rise to congratulate him, and Thomas 
Donahue as well, for their dedication, service, and not least, their 
civilities.
  Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Donahue remain strong and united in their pledge 
to lead the labor community into the next century. Both are sons of 
Irish working class families from the Bronx--home of another great 
labor leader, the legendary George Meany. As friends and allies in the 
labor movement for over 35 years, Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Donahue have vied 
for the presidency with energy, but without bitterness. There is much 
we in political life can learn from such earnest and talented men. 
Victory need not mean vanquishing the opponent. Good ideas are not the 
province of any one faction. These are the lessons John Sweeney and Tom 
Donahue have taught us all.
  There is more to these men than their recent contest. There is much 
testimony given to the value of work and the dignity that comes from 
having a job. John Sweeney and Tom Donahue, and the millions they 
represent, embody those values even as they advance them.
  It is prophetic that John Sweeney, born in St. Joseph's parish in the 
Bronx--named for the patron saint of working men and women--has been 
chosen to lead the 13 million members of the AFL-CIO. The son of a bus 
driver, he learned the value of a job and the dignity of hard work from 
his father. Mr. Sweeney first joined a union as a part-time grave 
digger while attending Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, and 
began his trade union career in 1950 with the International Ladies' 
Garment Workers Union. Later, in 1961, he joined Local 32B of the 
Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and eventually rose 
through the ranks to become the SEIU's President in June of 1980. 
Today, this union, representing doormen, elevator operators, 
custodians, all manner of workers, is 1.1 million members strong.
  Tom Donahue, another Bronx native, has had an equally long and 
distinguished career in the labor movement. He has served most recently 
as the Acting President of the AFL-CIO after Lane Kirkland stepped down 
in August of 1994. Mr. Donahue began his career at the AFL-CIO as 
Executive Assistant to George Meany, and was later elected to serve as 
Secretary-Treasurer, a post he held for many years. I am indebted to 
him for advice, and counsel throughout my near two decades on the 
Senate Finance Committee.
  While there could only be one winner today, the election is not so 
much a victory for John Sweeney, but for the labor movement as a whole. 
Let there be no question that Mr. Sweeney has his work cut out for him, 
as they would say in the ``ICG'', for this is a critical time in 
labor's history. But his record as an organizer of workers promises 
great things. And may I say that it is a tribute to New York and to the 
Bronx especially that in these turbulent times for labor, the 
membership of the AFL-CIO has once again entrusted its leadership to a 
New Yorker. I wish my friend John Sweeney great things as he embarks on 
the newest phase of his remarkable career.
  The origins of today's AFL-CIO go back to 1881, or some will argue 
1886. Which is to say, in the first century of the American nation. 
They have sustained their principles and organization into what is now 
the third century of our nation. It has been a remarkable and eventful 
journey and it is only begun. I stand with them in solidarity and joy 
for this fine moment.

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