[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 158 (Wednesday, November 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CENTRAL NEW JERSEY RECOGNIZES CHARLES WOWKANECH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 1999

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Charles 
Wowkanech, who has served the labor movement in a variety of capacities 
over the last 25 years. Since January of 1997, Mr. Wowkanech has led 
local union members as the president of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.
  Mr. Wowkanech began his career as a business representative for the 
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 68 in West Caldwell, 
NJ. There he was responsible for organizing and negotiating contracts 
covering employee health benefits plans statewide in industrial and 
commercial complexes. After joining the NJ state AFL-CIO in March of 
1990, Mr. Wowkanech served for 6 years as assistant to the president, 
representing the organization on health insurance matters and in all 
related legislative activities.
  Mr. Wowkanech also served on the New Jersey Health Care Cost 
Reduction Advisory Committee and participated in the Health Care Reform 
Coalition, which helped develop far-reaching health care reforms 
adopted by the State Legislature in 1992. In May of 1995, the Executive 
Board (with the reaffirmation of its 600 delegates) named Mr. Wowkanech 
the Secretary-Treasurer of the NJ State AFL-CIO. And as the former 
Chairman of the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage Program Board 
(IHC), Mr. Wowkanech was responsible for getting the state to adopt the 
strictest consumer protection standards in the nation.
  In the spring of 1997, the Essex County Boy Scouts Council named Mr. 
Wowkanech ``Good Scout of the Year.'' He continues to serve as labor's 
representative to the IHC Board and is also a member of the Governor's 
Council for a Drug-Free Workplace. Currently, he is a member of the 
executive boards of the Botto House National Labor Museum, the Rutgers 
Labor Center, and the Tri-State United Way's Board of Governors. Mr. 
Wowkanech resides with his wife, Lu Ann, and his sons Charles and 
Michael in Ocean City, New Jersey.
  I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Wowkanech's 
community service. I extend to him my appreciation and wish him the 
best of luck in his future endeavors.

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