[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E57]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DAVID DUNCAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 1998

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the 
opportunity today to honor Mr. David Duncan of Springfield, MS. Mr. 
Duncan is retiring after 33 years as a member of the Teamsters Union. 
Mr. Duncan's dedication and loyalty to the Teamsters Union and his 
fellow workers is exemplified by his decades of service to the Union.
  His career began at the tender age of 9, when he would shine shoes 
near the Springfield train station on weekend nights. After honorably 
serving our nation as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, Mr. Duncan returned 
from Europe to marry his high school sweetheart, Anna, with whom he 
celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary earlier this month. Dave began 
his career as a Teamster as a driver/dockman in 1965, and four years 
later was elected as steward.
  Dave began his service as an official in Local Union 404 as Business 
Agent and then was subsequently elected as Vice President/Executive 
Officer in 1988. Dave's leadership in this organization has allowed it 
to flourish from a nearly bankrupt union to the vibrant and healthy 
organization that it is today. The Union was able to move into a new 
and much larger facility, as well as the important existence of the 
Local 404 Health Benefits Fund which has experienced a dramatic 
fourfold increase in reserve funds to provide benefits for many years 
to come.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure and privilege today to stand 
before this body to honor the loyalty and hard work of my constituent, 
Mr. Dave Duncan, a man who has epitomized the ideal integration of 
family dedication, work ethic and diligence, and community involvement. 
The Local Union 404 will sorely miss the leadership of Mr. Duncan in 
the future, but the legacy of his commitment to workers and issues that 
affect all of the community will carry on indefinitely.

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