[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 86 (Thursday, June 19, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1270-E1271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF GEORGE J. KOURPIAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 1997

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
friend of working people throughout the world: George J. Kourpias is 
retiring tomorrow from his post as president of the International 
Association of Machinists; he will be deeply missed.
  As president of the Machinists, Mr. Kourpias has served as a member 
of several governmental and labor organizations. In particular, I would 
like to note his service on the board of the Overseas Private 
Investment Corporation, also known as OPIC. I have fought throughout my 
career for increasing the export capabilities of our Nation's 
businesses. At the same time, I have been concerned that we do not 
trample on labor rights as we make American business more competitive. 
That is why I was so pleased when President Clinton appointed Mr. 
Kourpias to the board 4 years ago. This vital organization for the 
first time has a working voice on the board. We can learn a lot from 
that example.
  Mr. Kourpias also has done tremendous work for our senior citizens, 
working both with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the 
National Council of Senior Citizens to ensure the retirement savings of 
our retirees.
  Mr. Kourpias' dedication to improving the lives of working Americans 
goes back long before he achieved the highest post with the Machinists. 
Before his term as president began, he served as vice president at the 
Machinists, overseeing the National Capital region. As an expert on the 
IAM's governing document, Mr. Kourpias has been of great help to 
Presidents before him. Learning the details has always been important 
to Mr. Kourpias, same as the details are important in the work of the 
machinists he represents.
  His leadership has been clear to the world since the 1950's when he 
first began taking leadership positions in the union movement.

[[Page E1271]]

From the local, district, and national levels, George J. Kourpias has 
served the working men and women of the Machinists for decades, but his 
legacy will stretch far beyond them.
  And so, Mr. Speaker, I honor George Kourpias for a lifetime of 
commitment to the men and women he served. I know the Machinists will 
find someone equally dedicated to succeed him, but in a larger sense, 
they will never be able to find someone to replace him. George Kourpias 
is that special kind of person who has devoted his life to the 
proposition that the men and women who work to make this country great 
deserve a fair reward for their labors.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish George and his wife June all the best in 
retirement and thank him for the service he has provided to this 
Nation.

                          ____________________