[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO GEORGE NORCROSS

 Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise today to remember a dear 
friend and treasured community leader in Southern New Jersey, George 
Norcross II.
  George and I shared many experiences and values and each of us ended 
up in public service.
  We both grew up in a poor, urban environment, he in Camden, and I in 
Paterson. We both lost our fathers at a very young age, but continued 
to attend high school while beginning to work. We both served in the 
military during World War II, he in the Navy and I in the Army.
  After George returned from the war, he built a career in union 
organizing efforts and community service. His was a voice of strength 
and determination for working families in Camden County--and what a 
loud voice it was! He fought tooth and nail for union workers, never 
without a cigar in hand. But his rough exterior was complemented by his 
caring heart, and the effectiveness of his work with organized labor 
was reinforced through his numerous philanthropic activities.
  The Union Organization of Social Services, of which George became 
president in 1955, reflected his marriage of organized labor and 
charity work. The mission of UOSS is to deal with drug and alcohol 
abuse, job training, food banks, disaster relief, clothing drives and 
blood banks within its community.
  George was also active in the United Way his entire life, serving as 
its general chairman in 1992 and as chairman emeritus after his 
retirement. His involvement with this organization led to the United 
Way's Labor Support Committee, which raised millions of dollars for 
charity.
  As a touch negotiator, a coalition builder, and someone who always 
got the job done, George's unrivaled union leadership will never be 
forgotten. He served as president of the AFL-CIO Central Labor Union 
for 16 years, was a member of the International Brotherhood of 
Electrical Workers Local 1448, and became the international 
representative of the International Union of Electrical Workers.
  George and I shared the conviction that educational opportunity is 
critical to a robust and stable democracy. George's dedication to 
providing educational opportunities to others led to his creation of 
the Peter J. McGuire Scholarship Program in conjunction with the 
American Federation of Teachers. These scholarships, presented every 
year at New Jersey's Labor Day celebration, benefit children of 
Southern New Jersey union members. And if my schedule didn't permit me 
to attend this annual event one year, I would get an earful from 
George!
  George's union leadership and sense of civic responsibility have 
benefitted countless New Jerseyans, including students able to go 
school on scholarship, people in need who receive help, and workers 
with grievances whose rights are defended.
  George Norcross will be dearly missed. I want to extend my heartfelt 
condolences to Carol, George's wife of 43 years, and his four sons, 
George III, John, Don and Phil. I know I will continue to cross paths 
and work with them on behalf of New Jersey.

                          ____________________