[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 21 (Monday, March 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E250-E251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   UAW LOCAL 599 CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 4, 2002

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the first annual 
Civil Rights Pioneer Awards presented by UAW Local 599 on Sunday, March 
3rd in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.
  Local 599 is honoring those members that have dedicated their lives 
to end discriminatory practices in the workplace. Throughout the Civil 
Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, these courageous people fought 
against bigotry and racial discrimination in our nation. They have 
followed in the footsteps of A. Philip Randolph and combined their 
efforts to end discrimination with the goals of the labor movement to 
provide dignified, respected employment to all workers.
  Don Winans served on Local 599's Alternate Committee, the Fair 
Employment Practices Committee, and chair of the Shop Committee. Russ 
Easton served as an Alternate Committeeman, Committeeman, Shop 
Committeeman, and on the Fair Employment Practices Committee. Zeke 
Holmes served as an Alternate Committeeman, Committeeman, and as a 
member of the Fair Employment Practice Committee.
  Bill Williams was an Alternate Committeeman, Committeeman, Shop 
Committeeman, a member of the Fair Employment Practices Committee, 
Vice-Chair of the Shop Committee, and International Financial Secretary 
of the Foundry. Bill Barnum served as an Alternate Committeeman, a 
Committeeman and a member of the Fair Employment Practices Committee. 
John Hightower was a Committeeman, Chair of the Fair Employment 
Practices Committee, President of the Trade Leadership Council, and an 
Executive Board Member of the Flint NAACP.
  Fred Tucker was an Alternate Committeeman, Committeeman, Shop 
Committeeman, Chair of the Shop Committee, and was the 5th Ward Flint 
City Councilman. Don Sorensen, Sr. was an Alternate Committeeman, 
Committeeman, Shop Committeeman, Vice-President of Local 599, Education 
Director, Health and Safety Committeeman, Attendance Counselor for 
Skilled Trades, Journeyman Millwright, Walter Reuther Awardee and a 
member of the Fair Employment Practices Committee. Edgar Holt was the 
President of both the Flint chapter of the NAACP and the Statewide 
NAACP as well as serving as a member of the Fair Employment Practices 
Committee. In addition, Carl Thrasher and Harry Eaton are also being 
honored today for their undaunted moral strength fighting ingrained 
bias and breaking down barriers in our community.
  In my Flint District Office. I have assembled photographs of persons 
important in shaping

[[Page E251]]

the community. Included in that group is a picture of Edgar Holt. I 
chose him to represent the significance labor and civil rights have had 
in making Flint a better place to live. His picture is a reminder of 
the voluntary service the civil rights workers gave to this country to 
shape a brighter future.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in paying 
homage to these eleven people. The Flint community owes a debt of 
gratitude for their tenacity to fight on against insurmountable odds. 
Collectively and individually they never admitted defeat and prevailed 
in bringing about a better workplace and a better society.

                          ____________________