[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 120 (Wednesday, September 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF BILL PETERSON, MINNESOTA AFL-CIO SECRETARY-
                               TREASURER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 15, 1999

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to my colleagues 
attention the retirement of an individual who has committed his life as 
a tireless advocate for working men and women in Minnesota and our 
nation, Bill Peterson. Mr. Peterson has announced that he will retire 
from his nine years of service as the Minnesota AFL-CIO Secretary-
Treasurer. Before that, Bill served as the Executive Secretary of the 
Minnesota Building Trades and business representative to the Iron 
Workers Local 512.
  I have had the privilege of knowing Bill Peterson since his days as a 
``hand'' on the job. In fact, he has had the benefit of working and 
associating with all of the Vento Boys (Dan, Frank, Kurt and myself) 
since he first started on his journey of the building trades 
leadership. He began as an Ironworker Business Representative, followed 
as the MN Building Trades Executive Secretary and eventually was 
elected to serve as the AFL-CIO Minnesota State Federation Secretary-
Treasurer.
  During his many years of service, Bill Peterson has worked to improve 
the quality of life for working families. His effectiveness during 
tough times as a spokesman for the Minnesota AFL-CIO has greatly 
benefited working people and educated more than one legislator. Under 
Bill Peterson, there have been great strides in the development of 
worker pension programs, the availability of year-round work for 
members of the building trades, the State Davis-Bacon law, the State 
Apprenticeship Council, and Union Labor Project contract agreements. 
Today and tomorrow, worker's conditions and wages will continue to 
evolve on the basis of the foundation established by building trade 
labor leaders like Bill Peterson.
  There have also been some very tough events during Bill's tenure. One 
vivid event I'll always recall is when the tower antenna went down in 
Shoreview and iron workers lost their lives. While we grieved over 
their deaths, we also resolved not to let this accident go unnoticed. 
As a result, when Minnesota joined in the establishment of a worker's 
memorial day, it is events like this that are remembered. The Minnesota 
Building Trades have also been leaders for tough Occupational Health 
and Safety Act enforcement, with Bill Peterson in the forefront leading 
the fight for on the job safety and health.
  Bill Peterson will best be remembered for his commitment to education 
and to the children of working men and women. When the federal 
commitment to State Apprenticeship programs was under attack, Bill 
Peterson rallied Congressional and national labor to keep this 
important training program in place. As a key elected state-wide Member 
of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, Bill has been a strong 
voice for working families, advocating forcefully to keep a college 
education as a financially viable option for the children of working 
families and for working men and women seeking new careers.
  In addition to his professional activities, Bill has been a volunteer 
extraordinaire, donating his time and talents for my benefit and that 
of many others. It is in that role that I will always remember Bill. 
While many will remember him working the halls of the State Capitol or 
speaking at the State AFL-CIO convention, I will always picture Bill in 
an apron carrying a pot of Minnesota corn at the annual Vento Corn Feed 
for 25 years.
  Despite the health challenges that have been a part of his life from 
youth, Bill has done much more than this share as a professional and a 
volunteer. His life's work provides labor brothers and sisters the 
shoulders to stand upon as today's and tomorrow's Minnesota Union 
movement and views move into the future.
  Bill Peterson is truly an example of those whose successful 
leadership has positively promoted rights for the workers and workers 
families in our community. We are all richer for his advocacy, his hard 
work and most importantly, his friendship. I, as many throughout the 
labor-political sphere, deeply appreciate his friendship, support and 
counsel through the years.
  All my best to Bill and also to his family, who have provided support 
through the years: his wife Lolly, their three children and 
grandchildren. It is with heartfelt thanks that I wish Bill Peterson 
the best of health and a well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________