[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 40 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E587-E588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          THOMAS LEWIS RETIRES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM HOLDEN

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 8, 1997

  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me 
in paying tribute to a constituent of mine, Thomas L. Lewis. Mr. Lewis 
is retiring this week after nearly 41 years as an employee of American 
Home Foods and as a leader in the United Food and Commercial Workers, 
local 38 in Milton, PA.
  Thomas Lewis began his career at American Home Foods on September 24, 
1956, and was initiated into the local 38 leadership as a union 
steward. He became the secretary-treasurer of the union local in 1965. 
In 1970 Mr. Lewis began to serve as chief committee person, first 
shift, and continued in that position as well as secretary-treasurer 
until 1985 when he was elected to serve as president of the local 38 
for the term beginning 1986. He was re-elected to serve as president 
for three consecutive terms.
  Thomas Lewis has also served on the Pennsylvania AFL/CIO legislative 
and political

[[Page E588]]

committees as well as its fan committee, safety committee, and its job 
committee. He also served as the Pennsylvania AFL/CIO vice president.
  Mr. Lewis has also served as the vice president of the Central Labor 
Council and has been an active participant in contract negotiations for 
American Home Foods and has also been instrumental in IUD coordinated 
bargaining for health and welfare benefits for AFH union members.
  When Thomas Lewis became a union member, the union was known as the 
Amalgamated Meat Cutters. They later merged with the Retail Clerks and 
changed the name of the union to what we now know as the United Food 
and Commercial Workers.
  Mr. Speaker, Thomas Lewis is a fine example for all Americans because 
of his hard work and commitment. I would like to congratulate him on 
all his accomplishments and wish him great success in all his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________