[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 118 (Thursday, September 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1625-E1626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MR. DONALD HAMILTON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2000

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to pay tribute 
to an outstanding resident of Indiana's First Congressional District, 
Mr. Donald Hamilton. On September 29, 2000, Mr. Hamilton, along with 
his friends and family, will be honored for his 32 years of dedicated 
service to the Laborer's International Union Local #41, at a dinner to 
be held at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #150, 
in Merrillville, Indiana. Mr. Hamilton's distinguished career in the 
labor movement has contributed to the safety and security of workers in 
his community and improved the quality of life for laborers throughout 
Northwest Indiana.
  Mr. Hamilton has devoted his entire working career toward the 
expansion of labor ideals and fair standards for all working people. 
For more than 30 years, Mr. Hamilton has been a member of Local #41, 
and has held several positions throughout his tenure. His peers were 
sorry to see him retire from perhaps his most important role at Local 
#41, that of Business Agent, on August 1, 2000. Don served admirably as 
Business Agent for Local #41 since his election 18 years ago. While 
this was his longest held position, and the one for which his co-
workers at Local #41 will always remember him, he never limited his 
dedication to that one position. Mr. Hamilton served as vice-president 
of the Indiana State District Council of Laborers and HOD Carriers for 
eight years, sat on the executive board for six years, and served as 
auditor for three years. For five years, Don served as president of the 
Northwest Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, two years 
as its vice president and three years as its secretary-treasurer.

[[Page E1626]]

  Don's contributions are not limited to labor causes. He regularly 
finds time to serve his community as well. He is the past president of 
the Lake County Planning Commission and was a board member for eight 
years. He has also spent two years as a board member of the Lake County 
Association for Retarded of Northwest Indiana. Don Hamilton has 
dedicated much of his life to efforts that benefit his fellow union 
members and advance the prosperity and strength of his community of 
Northwest Indiana and the entire state.
  On this special day, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Don 
Hamilton. His large circle of family and friends can be proud of the 
contributions this prominent individual has made. His work in the labor 
movement provided union workers in Northwest Indiana with opportunities 
they certainly would not have otherwise enjoyed. Mr. Hamilton's 
leadership kept the region's labor force strong and helped keep 
Americans working. Those who have worked with him in the labor movement 
and in his community will surely miss Mr. Hamilton's dedication and 
sincerity. I hope my distinguished colleagues will join me in wishing 
Don Hamilton a long, happy, and productive retirement.

                          ____________________