[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 37 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E502-E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF JAMES ALEXANDER AND ARISTEO TORRES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 27, 1998

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, The United Steelworkers of America (USWA) 
Local 1010, a union that has represented the Inland Steel labor force 
since early this century, has worked tirelessly over the years to 
better the living conditions and increase the living standards of 
Inland steelworkers and the communities in which they live. It is my 
distinct pleasure to announce that Local 1010 will be celebrating the 
retirement of two of its devoted members, Mr. James Alexander and Mr. 
Aristeo ``Art'' Torres, who retired from Inland Steel in January of 
this year. The celebration in honor of James and Art will feature an 
evening of dinner and music, and will be held today, March 27, 1998, at 
the American Legion Post #369, in East Chicago, Indiana.
  James Alexander, a life-long resident of Gary, Indiana, began his 
dedicated career with Inland Steel in 1957. Over the years, he has held 
several positions within the company, including those within the coke 
plant, open hearth, cold strip, and 80-inch rolling operator. Perhaps 
James' most noteworthy achievement, however, was his devoted service to 
Local 1010, where he served as a respected union voice for his fellow 
steelworkers for 35 years. As a union representative, James held a 
variety of offices, ranging from safety steward to financial secretary, 
and he was elected union representative under six different 
administrators. Through his work with the union, James had the 
opportunity to meet several United States presidents, including Dwight 
Eisenhower, John Kennedy, and Richard Nixon. In addition to his service 
to the union, James devoted much of his time to community initiatives. 
He spent 21 years on the Gary Public Transportation Board, held the 
office of 1st Vice-President of the Gary Housing Commission, and is 
currently a precinct committeeman. James has also been an active member 
of his parish, St. Monica and Luke Roman Catholic Church, for 50 years.
  A native of East Chicago, Indiana, Art Torres worked at Inland Steel 
as a craneman for 46 years. Throughout his career, he remained active 
within Local 1010, serving as assistant griever, trustee, chairman of 
education, and board member. Realizing the importance of a unified 
membership, the focal point of Art's efforts with Local 1010 was 
educating steelworkers about the union and their rights as laborers. In 
addition, he participated in numerous pickets, including the 
Bridgestone/Firestone strike in the 1950s. Art has also been 
politically active over the years, serving as state delegate, working 
on various political campaigns, and carrying out the vital function of 
mobilizing voters within his community. In addition, he has been a 
long-time member of the Union Benifica Mexicana (UBM), an organization 
for Mexican-Americans, where he has served as an officer and chairman 
of various activities. In working for the betterment of Local 1010 and 
his community, Art takes great pride in his strides to be a good role 
model for young people, stressing the importance of earning a good 
education.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in congratulating James Alexander and Art Torres on their retirement 
from Inland Steel. James' family, consisting of his wife, Terry, and 
their eight children, Melanie, James Jr., Robert, Michael, Marcus, 
Barbara, Terese and Terrell, should be proud of his efforts. Art's 
wife, Cecelia, their children, Elizabeth and Angelina, and their 
grandchildren, Kathy and Jason, should also be very proud of his many 
achievements. Indeed, James' and Art's work for the labor movement and 
their communities has served as a beacon of hope and pride for all 
great

[[Page E503]]

Americans who continue to pursue the American dream.

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