[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     JACK LASKOWSKI, A TRUE LEADER

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 25, 1995

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, many of us know how important the labor 
movement has been for the improvement of working conditions and fair 
compensation for millions of Americans. None of this would have 
happened if it had not been for tireless, visionary individuals who 
were willing to work on behalf of their coworkers. Jack Laskowski, the 
current director of UAW region 1D, has been such an individual who is 
being honored for his dedication at a retirement party this Friday.
  Jack has been a member of UAW Local 362 since 1958 when he started to 
work at General Motors' CPC Powertrain plant in Bay City. He followed 
on the traditions established by his father, Walter ``Bullet'' 
Laskowski, who took part in the UAW's first strike at the Chevrolet 
plant in Bay City in 1936, which led to the formation of Local 362.
  Since 1958, Jack has served as a member of the bargaining committee, 
chaired by his father. He also was a benefit plans representative and 
editor of the local paper until he joined the staff of the 
international union. Jack served on the staff of 1D since 1971, and 
then became the assistant director in June 1986, and finally director 
on June 17, 1992. He has been a vital component of labor's presence in 
Saginaw, Bay City, and the northern portion of Michigan's lower 
peninsula.
  Jack's involvement in matters affecting people extend beyond his 
activities in the UAW. He has served as a member of organizations like 
the NAACP and the Coalition of Labor Union Women. He served a 3-year 
term as a city commissioner of Bay City. He has throughout his adult 
life been active in the Democratic Party, including his current 
membership of the Kent County Democratic Party executive committee.
  He and his wife Sally also raised three wonderful sons, Greg, Tim, 
and Mike, who have become a bilingual special education teacher, a 
director of labor at Occupational Health Care, and another generation 
of GM worker and member of UAW Local 2031, respectively.
  I have had the good fortune to know Jack personally for many years. I 
consider him to be a friend, a capable advisor, and someone I am proud 
to know. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of a career of devotion and a 
lifetime of leadership, I urge you and all of our colleagues to join me 
in wishing Jack Laskowski a happy, and well-deserved retirement from 
his years with the United Auto Workers.

                          ____________________