[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 65 (Friday, May 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO WILLIE JAMES

                                 ______


                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 10, 1996

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Willie James, 
president of the Transport Workers Union of Greater New York, who will 
be honored tonight for his outstanding service to the community by 
members of the Society of African American Transit Employees at a 
dinner dance in the Bronx, NY.
  Mr. Speaker, Willie James was born in Harlem Hospital, in New York 
City. He started working as a bus operator in 1967 for the Manhattan 
and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority. This position marked the 
beginning of his involvement with the labor movement.
  Prior to his appointment as president, Mr. James served the transport 
union as director of education and training and later on as financial 
secretary-treasurer. Under his leadership in education and training, 
Mr. James developed training programs that enabled cleaning workers to 
advance their skills and attain higher paid positions within the 
industry.
  Mr. James currently serves as vice president of the New York State 
AFL-CIO and vice president of the New York City Central Labor Council. 
He is also an executive board member of the New York Branch of the 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an 
executive board member of the Black Trade Union Leadership Committee, 
and a member of the board of directors of the Municipal Credit Union, 
on which he served as president from 1985 through 1991.
  Throughout his life, Mr. James' philosophy has been one of helping 
those in need without expecting anything in return. He would often say: 
``Just ask that person who you are helping to pass the baton of love 
and concern to others in this race of life.''
  Besides his commitment to the labor movement, Mr. James was ordained 
deacon of the Harmon Baptist Church, and often serves as a soloist. He 
is married to Rosabelle and has two children, Daysey Moyd and Charles 
James.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Willie 
James for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of the labor 
movement and of the African-American community.

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