[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E124-E125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF C. SAM THEODUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of C. Sam 
Theodus. Sam was a great national labor leader and a great friend to 
many, particularly in the Greater Cleveland area; I am proud to count 
myself as having been Sam's friend.
  C. Sam Theodus was a key leader in the Teamsters. He was President of 
Local 407 from 1982 to 1987, and again from 1990-1995. Mr. Theodus was 
a member of Local 407 for 46 years. He was a man of the people, never 
placing himself above those he represented. He was dedicated to the 
advancement of ordinary working men and women, and he dedicated his 
life to improving the lot of others. This was his life's mission. In 
addition, Sam was a compassionate leader and loyal colleague.
  For anyone who knew Sam, knew that he stood on principle, and was 
willing to stand up for those beliefs. He fought to introduce rank-and-
file elections for national Teamster offices, an idea that was 
considered impossible at one time. Now, of course, it is the national 
policy. He also challenged the traditional practice of appointing local 
leaders; Sam worked to allow all members to determine the leaders. That 
was the essence of his legacy, fighting for the democratic principles 
of improving the representation of his fellow Teamsters.
  I will always be proud of knowing and working with Sam Theodus. He 
was always in the trenches with the members, fighting every battle 
side-by-side with everyone else. Perhaps it was something he learned 
while serving his country in Korea. Sam's respect and confidence in the 
rank-and-file was recognized in 1991 when the Teamsters instituted 
their first rank-and-file election. He was the top vote getter for the 
position of vice-president in that election. Clearly the national 
Teamsters recognized what Local 407 had long known--that Sam Theodus 
was an incredible, compassionate, and dignified leader.
  I will miss Sam. To his wife Lillian, and his loving family, I extend 
my heartfelt sympathies.
  God Bless Sam Theodus.

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