[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 77 (Monday, June 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LINDA DeWITT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 19, 2000

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, choose a major cause in the Galesburg area 
and you would find Linda DeWitt. She fought for union causes, women's 
issues and a host of community oriented programs and projects.
  Linda DeWitt was a long time union activist and worker at Protexall 
in Galesburg, Illinois. She was the President of her local union, UNITE 
Local 920 for more than 20 years. She was also the chairwoman of the 
board of the Chicago and Central States Joint Board of UNITE and the 
President of the Galesburg Trades and Labor Council.
  Linda died on May 15th.
  When Linda wasn't at work at Protexall hemming or pressing pants--a 
job she did for 28 years--Linda was doing union work. If she wasn't 
involved in matters relating her union UNITE, you could find her at the 
Galesburg Labor Temple tending to matters there. Or perhaps tending to 
matters involving the Midwest Employees Credit Union, which she 
chaired.
  Linda ran the Labor Assembly in Galesburg and that meant running the 
bingo to keep the place going. She ran the bingo and did the cooking. 
She was the chair of the Bingo Board for 18 years. Linda put everything 
into making sure that the bingo was fun. She was creative in coming up 
with new ideas, games and prizes to make bingo more than just a game. 
Many people believe Linda lived at the union hall.
  Linda was proud that Galesburg had one of the oldest Labor Day 
Parades in the country. She was the principal organizer of that parade 
for many years.
  According to her co-workers, Linda had the ability to fit 36 hours 
worth of accomplishments into a 24-hour day. Linda was always gracious 
and kind-hearted--always thinking of others and trying to help them 
before herself.
  During her battle with a brain tumor, the Peoria Journal Star did a 
feature about Linda's struggle. The article depicted Linda's attitude 
and her religious faith. Incredibly Linda characterized her illness as 
a win-win situation. But Linda was always a person who could find light 
in dark situations.
  One of her fellow union members of UNITE Local 920 said she will 
always remember Linda telling her to ``just keep smiling''. That says 
it all about Linda DeWitt.
  Linda was quoted as saying that she's tried to live her life ``where 
people can say I've done good.'' There can be no question about all the 
good that Linda DeWitt has been a part of throughout her entire life.
  She was always dedicated to her family and her work and she did so 
much for her union and the community.
  Her passing is a tremendous loss for West Central Illinois, the 
community of Galesburg, her union and her family.

                          ____________________