[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E637-E638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        JOSEPH S. FRANCIS: FOUR DECADES OF SERVICE TO SAN DIEGO

                                 ______


                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joseph S. Francis, 
executive secretary-treasurer of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor 
Council, who will be honored with a Distinguished Service Award by the 
San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council on April 27, 1996.
  After four terms and 16 years of exemplary service, Joe Francis is 
stepping down from his leadership position with the San Diego-Imperial 
Counties Labor Council, whose affiliates number 103 local unions 
representing approximately 108,000 members. His strong leadership, vast 
experience, and organizing skills

[[Page E638]]

have contributed much to the San Diego labor movement.
  Raised in New Bedford, MA, Joe Francis moved to San Diego in 1953. 
Working first at Convair, he took a volunteer position as shop steward. 
Six years later, he joined the San Diego Fire Department, where he 
became involved in the local Firefighters Union. He was elected as 
director of the Union Board in 1965 and later served as secretary and 
then president of Local 145.
  In 1980, after 21 years in the fire department, he was elected to the 
office of executive-treasurer of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor 
Council with two-thirds of the vote.
  Noted for his calm but direct demeanor, Joe Francis reached out to 
the labor community during his term and brought attention to a broad 
list of concerns. The Labor Council made great strides under his 
leadership.
  It is no wonder that the San Diego Business Journal called Joe 
Francis ``San Diego's Top Labor Leader.''
  His involvement in countless community organizations is a testament 
to his dedication. He currently serves on the boards of United Way, the 
San Diego County Board of Economic Advisors, and the San Diego 
Technology Council. He previously served on the boards of the Salvation 
Army and the Regional Employment Training Consortium, among others, and 
was president of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation.
  As he relinquishes his current post with the Labor Council, Joe 
Francis will retain his position as executive director of San Diego 
Labor's Community Service Agency.
  Mr. Speaker, I join labor leaders in San Diego and across the country 
in congratulating Joe Francis for receiving the San Diego-Imperial 
Counties Labor Council's Distinguished Service Award, and I wish him 
well in all future endeavors.

                          ____________________