[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING RUBEN DIAZ ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE AFL-CIO

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                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ruben Diaz on the 
occasion of his retirement from the AFL-CIO after over 40 years of 
dedicated service.
  At 17, Ruben became a member of Retail Clerks Local 770, while 
working at Bi-Rite Markets in Los Angeles. One year later, in 1952, he 
listed in the Army with the U.S. Army Airborne Division, serving our 
country until 1955. After leaving the Army, he began working for ITT 
Cannon, in Los Angeles. He then joined the United Auto Workers, Local 
509 and immediately became involved in union-related activities. He 
served on the PAC Committee, COPE, was Recreation Committee Treasurer, 
FEPC Chairman, served as shop steward for three terms, on the Grievance 
Committee for one term, and was vice chairman of the bargaining unit 
for nearly two terms.
  In 1966 he was appointed as an organizer to the Los Angeles-Orange 
Counties Organizing Committee [LAOCOC], AFL-CIO. Two years later, he 
was appointed to the AFL-CIO field representative staff. He moved on to 
become coordinator of the LAOCOC, AFL-CIO in June 1986.
  In addition to his union activities, Ruben has served our community 
through his involvement with the Labor Council for Latin American 
Advancement, where he served as executive director. He also served as 
vice president of the Catholic Labor Institute, member of A. Philip 
Randolph Institute, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical 
Workers.
  Ruben and his wife, Becky, have two children and two grandchildren. 
It is with pride that I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. 
Ruben Diaz as he retires from the AFL-CIO after over 45 years of 
involvement with the union.

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