[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 68 (Tuesday, June 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HENRY CLARKE, DISTINGUISHED UNION ORGANIZER AND LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2000

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, after more than 38 
years of distinguished service to the independent union movement and to 
public employees, Henry L. Clarke will be retiring from Public 
Employees Union, Local One, and I rise to honor Henry and to celebrate 
his lifetime commitment to unionism.
  In the early years of Henry's career, he was hired by the American 
Federation of Teachers to help organize the teachers in New York City. 
Henry was a part of a small team of progressive labor activists who 
organized the entire teacher work force, the largest single group of 
teachers in the United States at that time. He continued to work for 
the AFT until 1962 when he was hired by the Board of Directors of the 
Contra Costa County Employees Association as the General Manager. Under 
Henry's skifful organizing efforts, membership in the Association grew 
from 634 members to 2,100 members in 4 years, and the local agencies 
represented expanded to include school classified employees, city and 
special district employees in addition to the employees of Contra Costa 
County.
  In 1969, the Contra Costa County Employees Association voted to 
disafffliate from the AFL-CIO and under Henry's leadership formed 
Public Employees Union, Local One. The membership has grown over the 
years from fewer than 1,000 members to over 12,000 members. The success 
of this growth is based upon the basic principles instituted in the 
formation of the union--the members have a voice in how their union is 
run; the union organization is founded upon democratic principles; the 
members have open access to the General Manager and the staff, and 
members freely participate through broad representation on the union 
Board of Directors.
  Mr. Speaker, Henry Clarke has been an inspiration and mentor to other 
``independent'' labor organizations throughout the State of California, 
and he was instrumental in developing and insuring support for a 
statewide legislative council. Henry has earned a reputation for being 
a formidable political force and also a respected and beloved advocate 
on behalf of his members.
  Henry Clarke has built Local One on a foundation of honesty and 
integrity and forged professional relationships and friendships with 
elected officials, administrators and members. His powerful 
representation of his members has always reflected his compassion for 
working men and women as well as his insight into the needs of the 
community and the public served by Local One members.
  Mr. Speaker, I respectfully request that my esteemed colleagues join 
me in saluting Henry L. Clarke, an example of honesty, integrity, and 
outspoken, effective advocacy on behalf of the working men and women he 
has so ably represented for nearly 40 years.

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