[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 105 (Thursday, July 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ON THE RETIREMENT OF MR. ROBERT M. TOBIAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 1999

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to come to floor 
today to recognize the tremendous career of Bob Tobias, longtime friend 
and advocate to federal employees everywhere.
  In August, Bob will not be seeking reelection for a fifth term as 
President of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), an 
organization which represents more than 155,000 employees in 20 federal 
agencies and departments. During his 31 years with the NTEU, including 
16 as President, he has turned it into one of the most effective voices 
federal employees have ever had.
  Bob and I have worked together since I was first elected to Congress 
in 1990. Bob was extremely helpful in advising me on the complex 
legislation to promote fair and equitable compensation and benefits for 
our civil servants.
  Bob earned his law degree from the George Washington University 
School of Law, based right here in DC. He then went on to use 
litigation as a tool to advance the interests of federal employees 
across America. Bob has led several landmark legal victories, including 
a successful half-billion dollar back pay suit against President Nixon, 
a federal court victory that gave federal workers the right to engage 
in informational picketing, and a Supreme Court win that overturned the 
ban on speaking and writing honoraria.
  In fact, Bob has been involved in every major piece of legislation 
impacting federal employees during the last 20 years. These include the 
development of FERS, protecting the FEHBP, the restructuring of the 
IRS, and enacting the Federal Employee Pay Comparability Act. He has 
also been tireless in promoting the idea that partnership can make the 
workplace better for federal employees, providing a more efficient 
service to the American taxpayer. Bob also led the fight to restore 
political freedom to federal employees in pushing for reform of the 
Hatch Act.
  Bob is now focusing on different priorities; a second career as a 
teacher and writer on public policy issues beckons, where he will be 
able to educate a new generation.
  I have enjoyed working with you Bob, and look forward to continuing 
to work with you on issues that are so important to working families. I 
wish you the best of luck.

                          ____________________