[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 46 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HONORABLE CHARLES A. HAYES OF ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 16, 1997

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give 
a parting tribute to one of the foremost pioneers to the working man 
and woman. The late Congressman Charles Arthur Hayes spent more than 45 
years of his life as a trade unionist. He succeeded the late Harold 
Washington in the House when Washington was elected mayor of Chicago. 
Congressman Hayes was a man who had a knack for organizing workers on 
all levels. He helped to organize Local 1424 of the United Brotherhood 
of Carpenters & Joiners of America and served as its president from 
1940 to 1942.
  From 1979 until his retirement in September 1983, Congressman Hayes 
was the international vice president and director of Region Twelve of 
the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union. In addition 
to seeking increased benefits and improved conditions for workers, 
Congressman Hayes also fought to eliminate segregation and 
discrimination in hiring and promotion in the industry. Congressman 
Hayes also sought to provide African-American and women workers with 
opportunities to serve as leaders in the labor movement.
  Mr. Speaker, during his congressional career Congressman Hayes 
introduced several pieces of legislation to address the educational and 
employment needs of many Americans. Prominent among these are acts to 
encourage school dropouts to reenter and complete their education and 
to provide disadvantaged young people with job training and support 
services. Congressman Hayes also sponsored bills to reduce high 
unemployment rates and make it easier for municipalities to offer 
affordable utility companies. He consistently opposed the actions and 
programs of South Africa's white-minority government and in 1984 joined 
other demonstrators at its Washington Embassy in protest of the 
Pretoria regime's policies of racial separation.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise with the rest of my colleagues in tribute not 
only to a pioneer in workers rights but to a pioneer in human rights.

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