[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 26 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO JOE FRANCIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2001

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Joseph S. Francis, a man 
named by the San Diego Business Journal as ``San Diego's Top Labor 
Leader''. On March 2, 2001, Joe is retiring from the position of 
Executive Director of Labor's Community Service Agency, an agency he 
founded in 1985.
  Labor's Community Service Agency is a non-profit organization, 
committed to serving workers, their families and the larger community. 
It develops partnerships with government, business, and labor--so these 
sectors can cooperate in making our city a better place to work and 
live. As Executive Director of labor's Community Service Agency, Joe 
has developed many programs that address the needs of workers in San 
Diego.
  He is also currently the editor of the Messenger, Vice President of 
Job Training Associates, Board Member of the San Diego Carrier Museum, 
and a member of the San Diego County Board of Economic Advisors. His 
past positions include Executive Secretary of the San Diego-Imperial 
Counties Labor Council and Director of the Committee on Political 
Education (COPE). Joe was honored with a Distinguished Service Award by 
the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council in 1996.
  Raised in New Bedford, MA, Joe moved to San Diego in 1953. He first 
worked at Convair, followed by the San Diego Fire Department where he 
was involved in the local Firefighters Union. He was elected director 
of the Union Board in 1965--and later served as Secretary and then 
President of Local 145. In 1980, he was elected Executive-Director of 
the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council with an overwhelming two-
thirds of the vote.
  Although organizing workers is his primary focus, Joe has also 
contributed to the community through his service on the Boards of the 
following organizations: United Way, the San Diego Technology Council, 
the Salvation Army, the Regional Employment Training Consortium, and as 
President of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation.
  On the occasion of Joe's retirement from service as Executive 
Director of Labor's Community Service Agency, I want to sincerely thank 
him for his far-reaching vision, his relentless passion, and his 
tireless service to the working men and women in San Diego and 
throughout the nation.
  Joe, you serve as a model of dedication and energy which we will 
follow as we strive to carry on the work that you have begun.

                          ____________________