[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E950-E951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING GREGORY DON HUNSUCKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY A. CONDIT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 1998

  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my longtime 
friend, Mr. Gregory Don Hunsucker, who is being presented with the 
coveted Labor Leader of the Year by the Merced-Mariposa Central Labor 
Council. Don is being awarded this prestigious honor on Saturday, June 
13, 1998.
  In 1971, Don was hired by the Retail Clerks International Association 
as a Special Representative and Organizer. He came to the United Food 
and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1288 in 1973 as a Business 
Representative. One year later, he was promoted to Administrative 
Assistant to the President. In 1976, Don was elected Secretary-
Treasurer of the local union and became president and chief executive 
officer of the union in 1978.
  His leadership has long been appreciated by organized labor. Under 
his guidance, Local 1288 has become the official representative of more 
than 9,500 United Food and Commercial Workers in the counties of 
Merced, Madera, Fresno, Mariposa, Kings and Tulare. In addition to his 
duties at the Local Union, he is President of the Valley Clerks Joint 
Council of the UFCW, Vice President of the California Federal of Labor, 
AFL-CIO; President of the Fresno-Madera-Tulare-Kings Counties Central 
Labor Council, AFL-CIO; Vice President of the Southwestern States 
Council of United Food and Commercial Workers; Special Representative 
of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union; Trustee 
of the Northern Fund; Chairman of the Northern California United Food 
and Commercial Workers Caucus and Vice President of Fresno Area 
Coalition of Organized Labor.
  Don Hunsucker's leadership extends throughout Central California, 
touching the charitable spirit of all who live here. He is a member of 
the Countryside Free Will Baptist Church in Visalia; he has served as 
Executive Board Member of the United Way, the Easter Seal Society, 
Fresno City Civil Service Board, Bid Compliance Committee of the City 
of Fresno, Blue Ribbon Task Force on Council of Ethics and Operations, 
and a member of the California State University of Fresno Boosters 
Club.
  Don and his wife of 30 years, Linda Mae (Balakian), live in Fresno. 
They have two children, Michelle Lou Ann, 25, and Jerry Gregory Don, 
21. Don has a strong advocate for working men and women over the years. 
He is a man of integrity who give unselfishly to those around him. He 
has set an example for others to follow. I consider it an honor to call 
him my friend and ask my colleagues in the House of

[[Page E951]]

Representatives to join me in honoring Don Hunsucker.

                          ____________________