[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H10326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JOHN N. STURDIVANT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Rush] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, tonight, I rise to give tribute to the late 
John N. Sturdivant, President of the American Federation of Government 
Employees. John died last week, after a heroic battle with leukemia.
  Family, friends, and co-workers said farewell to John Sturdivant this 
week at a memorial service. He will be deeply missed.
  John Sturdivant dedicated his life to working people, especially 
government workers. As leader of AFGE--178,000 members representing 
one-third of our federal workforce--John fought tirelessly to transform 
the union into a dynamic advocate for the working and middle class 
Americans who make up the D.C. and federal workforce.
  John led a vigorous national campaign for pay raises, better 
benefits, and working conditions. He worked hard with legislators at 
all levels, to encourage ``locality pay.'' This promotes a salary 
system that makes sure that federal workers are paid at a comparable 
level with private sector workers.
  John was at the forefront of a struggle that my constituents who are 
public service and federal workers face daily: the fight against 
privatization. He also fought for the use of ``official time,'' and was 
a champion of the struggle to protect federal workers' retirement 
benefits.
  We will remember John Sturdivant for many contributions. He 
championed the right of federal workers to have a voice in politics. 
Working in a bipartisan manner, John Sturdivant worked to secure 
reforms to the Hatch Act. These changes now allow federal workers to 
contribute money, attend fundraisers and do volunteer election work 
such as staffing phone banks.
  I have worked closely during my years in public service with AFGE. It 
will be hard for the union to replace John. But I know that his 
example, courage, and leadership have made the union and the entire 
labor movement stronger.
  I offer my deepest sympathy to John Sturdivant's companion Peggy 
Potter, his daughter, Michelle, his mother, Mrs. Ethiel Jessie, and his 
brothers.
  I thank you for this chance to remember an outstanding American, an 
outstanding African-American labor leader, and an outstanding human 
being truly committed to social justice for all.

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