[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF FRANK GARRISON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 1999

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Frank 
Garrison, on the eve of his retirement as President of the Michigan 
State AFL-CIO. Frank is truly one of our finest public servants in 
Michigan, having first been elected AFL-CIO President in 1986. As all 
who have ever met Frank know, he is a man who has devoted his life to 
helping Michigan's working men and women improve their lives.
  Frank was born in 1934 in a small town in Indiana. His family, like 
so many others, was destitute and jobless as a result of the Great 
Depression. And so it was with gratitude that they named Frank after 
one of our country's greatest presidents, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 
who created the Works Progress Administration [WPA], which allowed 
Frank's father to work, and helped get the family back on its feet. 
Frank has said he has always taken great pride in his namesake. I 
believe that he has certainly lived his life, like his namesake, with 
the purpose of helping America's working families--a goal, Mr. Speaker, 
that I believe is one of the most honorable of all goals.
  In the early 1950s, Frank came to Michigan to find a job. He found 
one at General Motor's Steering Gear plant in Saginaw, a city I am 
proud to represent today in Congress. Shortly thereafter, he joined UAW 
Local 699 and, in 1955, Frank married Ms. Dora Goodboo. Later, he was 
drafted into the Army, and served two years before returning to his job 
at the Saginaw Steering Gear plant in 1956.
  Frank refers to the next event in his life as a true ``turning 
point''. A fellow UAW Local 699 member invited him to hear a speech by 
the legendary Walter Reuther. Frank says he was spellbound with 
Reuther's deep commitment to the labor movement, and that Reuther 
instilled in Frank a purpose: To help ordinary working people band 
together and improve their lives. From that moment on, Frank has 
certainly been committed to doing precisely that. He ran successfully 
for office in UAW Local 699, and later went on to serve as Alternate 
Committeeman, Committeeman, Shop Committeeman, Local Union Vice-
President and Financial Secretary.
  He went on to a variety of appointments and positions: UAW 
International Representative, Community Action Program (CAP) 
Coordinator for Region 1D, UAW lobbyist and Legislative Director, and 
Michigan CAP Director. He was appointed in 1982 as Executive Director 
of Michigan UAW-CAP, a position he held until his election as President 
of the Michigan State AFL-CIO in 1986, Frank went on to be one of the 
longest-serving presidents, and was re-elected in 1987, 1991, and 1995.
  Frank's contributions and work on behalf of Michigan's working men 
and women are legendary and real. They do indeed reflect Frank's great 
commitment to the labor movement and his belief that it is a tool to 
effect great change in this country. Michigan's working families will 
always be grateful for Frank Garrison's work, for he selflessly gave of 
himself to make their lives better. For that, Mr. Speaker, I say he is 
truly worthy of a name shared with our former President, Franklin 
Delano Roosevelt.
  Frank has been blessed with a supportive and caring family--his wife 
Dora, their three daughters, seven grandchildren and great-grandchild. 
He has worked hard his entire life on behalf of others, and it is my 
hope that during his retirement, Frank will work just as hard to enjoy 
these years with his family and many friends. Mr. Speaker, I now invite 
you and our colleagues to offer your congratulations to Frank Garrison, 
and your most sincere wishes for a very happy and productive 
retirement.

                          ____________________