[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL STEVENS

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 1996

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today 
and pay tribute to a celebrated community servant, Mr. Michael Stevens. 
On Friday, June 21, 1996, Michael, along with his friends and family, 
will celebrate his retirement from the Iron Workers Union Local No. 395 
in Hammond, IN. This retirement dinner will be held at St. Elijah 
Serbian-American Hall in Merrillville, IN.
  We are all fortunate to have dedicated people, like Michael, involved 
in the labor movement in Indiana's First Congressional District. 
Michael embarked on his distinguished career as an iron worker in local 
No. 392 in East St. Louis, IL, in June of 1966. He then moved to 
northwest Indiana and joined Iron Workers Local No. 395 in Hammond in 
September 1967.
  In May, 1974, he suffered from a disabling fall on the job. During 
his convalescence, Michael earned a degree from Mineral Area College in 
Missouri. Following his graduation in June 1979, he returned to 
ironworking out of local No. 395 in September of that same year.
  In 1981, Michael was elected to the local No. 395's examining board. 
In 1981, 1986, and 1991, Michael was elected to represent local No. 395 
as a convention delegate. In 1984, Michael was elected as local No. 
395's financial secretary-treasurer and he was reelected for three more 
terms in 1987, 1990, 1993. Michael retired this year after 30 years as 
a member of local No. 395, 15 years as an officer, and 4 terms as local 
No. 395's financial secretary-treasurer.
  I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Michael, his wife, Bonnie, 
and his two children, Tina and Byron. They can all be proud, as Michael 
has worked arduously in the labor movement to make the American dream 
possible for others. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished 
colleagues to congratulate Michael, who has proven himself to be a 
distinguished advocate for the labor movement. I sincerely wish Michael 
a long, happy, and productive retirement.

                          ____________________