[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E503-E504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOHN W. TAYLOR

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT A. BORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 29, 1996

  Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I join with the family and many 
friends of John W. Taylor to offer congratulations on his retirement as 
the Director of the United Auto Workers and good luck to a man of 
courage and vision who has devoted his life to helping the working 
people of America.

[[Page E504]]

  Throughout his four decade career with the labor movement, John has 
displayed unmatched leadership and integrity. His legacy is one of 
numerous, outstanding, and long-lasting contributions on behalf of the 
working people of America.
  John established himself as a man of true courage in 1982 when he 
bucked the vested interests in the United Auto Workers as well as the 
machine of an incumbent Member of Congress to support the long-shot 
candidacy of an underdog challenger. John recognized that I would help 
give Philadelphia's working people a voice in Washington and he was 
willing to put his career on the line to be one of the first to give me 
the help I needed.
  Despite strong pressure from the establishment, John stood his ground 
because he had the people's interests at heart. It was his strength, 
determination, and tenacity that brought me an endorsement from the 
United Auto Workers--a key factor in a tight election which I won by 
less than one percent of the vote.
  A born-and-raised citizen of Philadelphia, John W. Taylor, worked 
hard to strengthen the aircraft unions in the Philadelphia metropolitan 
area. Originally a volunteer organizer for Piasecki Aircraft--now known 
as Boeing Helicopter Company--John was the first elected chief 
organizer by his fellow workers in May 1956. John was then elected to 
the union's first executive board and through the years served as the 
local union's editor and recording secretary before becoming president 
in 1967.
  In 1967, John had become the president of the largest local union--
the UAW's region 9--which consisted of 7,200 acting members. As 
president, he successfully administered such a large organization with 
five locations and supervised the construction of the union's $250,000 
Walter P. Reuther Memorial Building in Eddystone. PA.
  Soon after becoming president of UAW's region 9, John was assigned to 
the region 9 servicing staff, where his major duties included 
collective bargaining, arbitration, mediation and all forms of dispute 
settlements until 1980. Also in 1972, John was appointed to the staff 
of the international union, UAW, by then president, Leonard Woodcock, 
and regional director, Martin Gerber. He was selected to coordinate the 
activities in the UAW's Community Action Program [CAP].

  In recognition of his loyalty and hard work, John was appointed to a 
transition team by then Governor-Elect Robert Casey in 1986. This 
important position led to a labor friendly Labor and Industry 
Department for the 8 years of the Casey administration. Finally, in 
1987, Governor Casey selected John to represent labor and the UAW on 
the Pennsylvania State Job Coordinating Council [SJTCC] which was 
established under the Federal Job Training and Partnership Act [JTPA]. 
This position has been directly responsible for the securing of 
hundreds of thousands of dollars in job training funds into UAW 
programs and to UAW members. He continues to hold this position under 
Governor Tom Ridge.
  Personally, this tribute is only a small token of my gratitude for 
John and his accomplishments over the years. His work with the UAW and 
the citizens of the Philadelphia region is greatly appreciated and will 
be missed by all. John's valued judgment has been an asset not only to 
me but to all people associated with him as well. I am proud to say 
that John W. Taylor has become a close personal friend of mine and I 
wish him well on a richly deserved retirement.
  Mr. Speaker, I join John's wife Jean and his family and friends in 
congratulating him for a lifetime of service, dedication, and hard work 
on behalf of the United Auto Workers and the working people of America.

                          ____________________