[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 65 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E893-E894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   A TRIBUTE TO MARCY VACURA SAUNDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 1999

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Marcy Vacura 
Saunders, the first woman to serve as Labor Commissioner in the State 
of California. Ms. Saudners' much deserved appointment to this position 
is an important milestone for working people and to Californians, and a 
tribute to her remarkable career and lifelong commitment to organized 
labor.
  Ms. Saunders began her professional life as a flight attendant, and 
achieved the esteemed rank of Acting Chairperson of the Independent 
Federation of Flight Attendants. She led a successful National Boycott 
of Conscience

[[Page E894]]

against TWA's Carl Icahn. In 1987, Ms. Saunders joined the Building and 
Trades Council of San Mateo County. In 1993, she became the first and 
only woman in the United States to be elected Business Manager of a 
building trades council.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Saunders' tireless and unwavering efforts on behalf 
of the Council membership have assured the gainful employment of 
countless Californians and improved the quality of life of many Bay 
Area families. In 1994, under Ms. Saunders' leadership, the Building 
and Trades Council stimulated a stagnant economy in the City of East 
Palo Alto through the formation of the East Palo Alto Building & Trades 
Alliance. In 1996, she helped to obtain resolutions from 12 cities and 
the County of San Mateo supporting California's prevailing wage laws.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Saunders has demonstrated a tireless commitment to 
our community through her extraordinary volunteer service to 
organizations such as the United Way, the San Mateo County Convention & 
Visitors Bureau, the San Mateo County Exposition & Fair Association 
Board, the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women, the 
Redwood City Library Foundation, the San Mateo County/Redwood City 
Chamber of Commerce, the Soroptimist International, the San Mateo 
County Economic Vitality Partnership, the Shelter Network, LEADERSHIP 
San Mateo/Foster City/Burlingame/Hillsborough, START (San Mateo 
Recruitment and Training), and the Private Industry Council.
  Ms. Saunders has been recognized for her selfless service as the 
recipient of the Soroptimist International's Women Helping Women Award, 
the Woman Of Economic and Social Development Award, the San Mateo 
County Labor Council C.O.P.E. Award, the United Way Labor Leadership 
Outstanding Volunteer Award, and the Mary Moshey Outstanding Community 
Volunteer Award. In 1994, Ms. Saunders was inducted into the San Meteo 
County Women's Hall of Fame as a tribute to her extraordinary 
achievements.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Marcy Vacura Saunder's exemplary 
professional and personal accomplishments, Governor Gray Davis selected 
her as the Golden State's top advocate for working people. I commend 
and pledge my continued support to a most remarkable woman, whom I am 
honored to call my friend, and whom San Mateo County is proud to call 
its own--California State Labor Commissioner, Marcy Vacura Saunders.

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