[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 106 (Thursday, July 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO CHARLES M. ALAFBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 1997

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Charles M. 
Alafberg, AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison for the United Way of 
central Massachusetts, on an outstanding and distinguished 27-year 
career in the labor movement.
  Over the course of his career, Charlie Alafberg has made a 
demonstrable and eminently positive impact on the central Massachusetts 
community. Beginning his labor career organizing at the Wyman-Gordon 
Co. in North Grafton, MA, Charlie showed continued success as a union 
organizer between 1956-69, and was elected shop steward for Local 2285 
in 1970. By 1978, Charlie moved steadily up the ranks--his peers' 
confidence in his leadership and organizing abilities rapidly growing--
ascending to the position of union trustee and grievance committeeman. 
In 1986, Charlie was elected to the high office of president of Local 
2285, representing the largest steelworkers local in the Third 
Congressional District with 1,400 active members.
  In addition, since 1970 Charlie has held the position of delegate to 
the Worcester/Framingham Central Labor Council and serves as a labor 
representative on the Central Massachusetts Regional Employment Board. 
Always active in the local community, Charlie is an avid member of the 
Worcester Democratic City Committee. He is married to Diane Krikorian, 
and together they have four wonderful children--John Alafberg, Mary 
Alafberg, Kraig Krikorian, and Kimberly Krikorian, and two spritely 
grandchildren, John and Ashley.
  Charlie Alafberg, through his strong commitment to serving the hard-
working men and women of central Massachusetts and his genuine concern 
for others in his community, is an example of unwavering public service 
which will sorely be missed.

                          ____________________