[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 79 (Monday, June 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO ROBERT ANDERSON, PRESIDENT OF THE SAN MATEO COUNTY CENTRAL 
                             LABOR COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 7, 1999

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me today in 
paying tribute to Mr. Robert Anderson, who is retiring after two 
distinguished decades as President of the San Mateo County Central 
Labor Council. During his remarkable tenure as San Mateo's top advocate 
for working people, innumerable working men and women have benefited 
enormously from Mr. Anderson's dedication to improving working and 
living conditions for families in San Mateo County and for employees of 
the airline industry nationwide.
  Bob Anderson, a member of International Association of Machinists, 
Local Lodge 1781, is a former United Airlines Mechanic, and currently 
he serves as ground safety coordinator for IAM District 141. His 
outstanding career as a labor advocate includes his efforts to 
establish, build and chair the San Francisco Airport Labor Coalition 
and its predecessor, the Airport Health and Safety Coalition. He has 
served on the advisory boards of the California Occupational Safety and 
Health Administration and the Labor Occupational Health Program at the 
University of California, Berkeley.
  Mr. Speaker, the labor movement's involvement and effectiveness in 
our community has been greatly strengthened through Bob Anderson's 
dedication and service on the Central Labor Council's Committee on 
Political Action, which supports local, state and national 
officeholders who share labor's progressive social values. He worked 
tirelessly against the passage of Proposition 226, the anti-working 
family initiative which was rightly rejected by California voters in 
June of 1998.
  Bob Anderson's most memorable achievement is the establishment of 
PALCARE, San Mateo County's community based, flexibly scheduled 
childcare center which opened in 1993. For twelve years Bob was 
undeterred in his determination to establish this affordable, high-
quality, around-the-clock childcare for working parents at San 
Francisco International Airport and other work sites where employees 
must work non-traditional hours. Mr. Anderson leaves an enduring legacy 
through his establishment of this safe, happy haven for the children of 
those who contribute to San Mateo's thriving economy.
  Mr. Speaker, Bob Anderson will be honored at the 20th Annual Banquet 
of the Committee on Political Education on Saturday, June 12,1999. I 
join with those who commend his lifelong, selfless quest to better the 
lives of his fellow working men and women, and I extend my most 
enthusiastic wishes for a blissful and happy retirement as he embarks 
on this new chapter in his life.

                          ____________________