[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 46 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY: FRIENDS OF LABOR AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 1998

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mary Tong, Molly 
Busico and Michael Busico, as they are honored by the San Diego-
Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO for their dedication to 
helping working families and organized labor.
  Mary Tong has worked for the labor movement for more than twenty 
years. She began her tireless efforts while still a teenager as she 
helped organize agricultural workers.
  In 1993, she founded the Support Committee for Maquiladora Workers. 
As the Committee's Executive Director, she faces considerable risks to 
support the unionizing efforts of maquiladora workers. Mary played a 
critical role in assisting the workers at the Han Young plant to 
accomplish an historic feat by establishing the first independent union 
in the maquiladora industry in the Tijuana border region. In battling 
the corporations that move jobs south to Mexico to attempt to exploit 
workers, pay starvation wages, and disregard health and safety 
standards, Mary continues to break new ground in bringing together 
workers across borders.
  Molly and Michael Busico are a labor family, and they are also a 
labor business. They give generous financial support to San Diego's 
labor movement through their family business, American Income Life. 
Molly and Mike volunteered to fund the Labor Council's Organizing 
Program and financed a toll free number and other campaign materials 
including banners and bumper stickers. Through American Income Life, 
they graciously host hospitality rooms for various union conferences.
  Molly and Mike collect food on a monthly basis and donate it to the 
Labor Council's Community Services Program. When things get 
particularly busy, Molly volunteers in the Labor Council office. The 
Bosicos attend affiliate rallies together, and recently the entire 
family participated in the Strawberry Workers March in Watsonville. The 
Bosicos are a good example of the family that organizes together, stays 
together.
  These three individuals are being honored by the Labor Council as 
Friends of Labor--members of the community whose work has strengthened 
labor's efforts and who have touched the lives of thousands of San 
Diegans. It is truly fitting that the House of Representatives join in 
this recognition, and I am proud to salute this year's honorees: Mary 
Tong, and Molly and Mike Busico.

                          ____________________